Yvonne’s backyard—small, green, and a surprising shade of light blue (±25 m²)

Yvonne’s backyard in Bodegraven is small in size but big on charm. What was once a completely paved outdoor space has, step by step, been transformed into a green, sheltered garden with water, color, and a surprisingly unique character.

The combination of soft landscaping, a pond that adds movement, and the striking light blue walls makes the garden bright and personal, despite the limited space.

The Garden at a Glance

📏 Area: 25 m²
🏡 Type of garden: backyard, townhouse
🌞 Location: partial shade
🌿 Style: green urban garden with a Japanese atmosphere
✨ Special feature: light blue walls

From a Tiled Garden to a Green City Garden with Character

When Yvonne moved here, the backyard was completely paved. Pretty soon, she wanted to add more greenery and create a more inviting atmosphere, while still maintaining the garden’s practical function.

Together with her boyfriend, they thought through the layout, making sure to leave space for bicycles and trash bins near the alley. To make the garden feel a little larger, they created a view through the shed. This keeps the view partially open and makes the space feel less enclosed.

Next to the sliding glass doors, a small patio made of Chinese bluestone has been built—just big enough for two chairs. It’s a lovely spot to sit, with a view of the garden and pond. Starting in the afternoon, you can sit here in the sun.

The walls have been plastered and painted a striking light blue. This choice gives the garden a distinct atmosphere of its own and makes the greenery stand out more. It is precisely this combination that makes the garden distinctive and vibrant.

Bamboo slats have been placed across the path in the alley as a practical solution, so the cat can roam freely in the garden without escaping.

A Pond as the Heart of the Garden

The pond with small waterfalls (which she found on Marktplaats) forms the heart of the garden. The gentle sound and the irregular shape bring both tranquility and movement. Around the pond, a variety of plants, leaf textures, and heights were chosen, creating a sense of depth despite the limited space. There is also an elegant Japanese lantern here.

Yvonne's Favorite Plants

The garden features, among other things, a Persian silk tree (Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’), with beautifully contrasting chocolate-brown foliage, and a blue-flowering American lilac (Ceanothus). The rhododendron, various azaleas, and fatsia complement the Japanese lantern well. Of course, the Japanese maple by the pond and the water lily in the pond are essential features. A yellow Tuscan jasmine (Trachelospermum ‘Star of Tuscany’) and an orange-flowering honeysuckle (Lonicera) add fragrance and height to the garden.

What stands out?

The terrace was intentionally kept small
Functional elements (bicycles and containers) are integrated into the greenery and the sedum roof
A view through the barn makes the garden look bigger
The light blue walls give the garden character and make the greenery stand out more.
The pond serves as the vibrant centerpiece
Variation in foliage and height creates depth
No bare ground in sight, thanks to the clever use of plants, stones, and shells

What can you take away from this?

Make functional elements such as bicycles and trash cans part of the green space
A see-through or open design makes a small garden appear larger
A clear choice of color for walls or backgrounds has a strong impact on the atmosphere
Water can be both a place of tranquility and an eye-catcher
Layering in plantings adds depth to small spaces

👉 You can find more inspiration in My Little Garden or view all Gardens up to 25 m²

A small garden that offers tranquility and has its own unique character

Thanks to its sheltered location, this city garden is a pleasant place to be all year round. Not only in the summer, but also in early spring and fall, it offers a peaceful, green outdoor space with plenty of privacy.

For Yvonne, it has become a place where she enjoys nature, water, and tranquility every day—small in size, but big in experience.