With the season of garden improvement now upon us and barbecues and outdoor gatherings on the horizon, it’s time to consider how even limited garden space can be transformed with a simple lick of colour.
When it comes to creating the illusion of having a bigger garden, did you know that the colour of your fence can – quite literally – make a huge difference?
With the season of garden improvement now upon us and barbecues and outdoor gatherings on the horizon, it’s time to consider how even limited garden space can be transformed with a simple lick of paint. And it pays to spend a little while mulling over exactly which hue to use. Covering your fence in lighter, neutral tones can create an illusion of extra room simply by reflecting more light, whereas using bold or vibrant pigments can have the opposite effect!
For those looking to maximise their outdoor area this summer, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote has shared five colours that can help Brits to transform their space.
Light grey enhances the perception of space
Light grey, one of the nation’s favoured fence colour options, isa sure way to create the illusion of more space. Fiona says: “Light grey softens and blurs the frame of your garden, making it look much bigger than it is. Lighter colours such as grey tend to reflect more light than dark colours, making it feel much brighter and open, enhancing the perception of space.
“It’s a great option if you have more foliage-based plants rather than flowers throughout your garden, too, as the contrast between the light hue of the fence draws the eye outward. This makes the boundaries of the garden appear less constrictive and enhances the sense of spaciousness.”
Natural colours such as sage green visually extend the landscape
Soft green fencing creates visual continuity in your garden, especially if your garden contains plenty of green border plants. Adding more green not only visually extends the landscape but makes garden boundaries look less conspicuous, creating a feeling of expansiveness.
Neutral tones such as beige and ivory allow other colourful flora to stand out
Fiona says: “Neutral tones, a particular favourite in more Mediterranean-themed gardens, serve as a neutral background that allow other elements such as colourful plants to stand out. The lack of visual distraction can make the garden appear larger, keeping the focus on other garden features and thus making it feel more expansive.
“Not only that, but beige and ivory tones have a minimalist feel which emphasises simplicity and openness, a contemporary garden trend that we’re seeing a lot of right now. By keeping the colour palette as simple as possible, they create a clean and uncluttered look that creates a spacious feel in the garden.”
Add illusion of a bigger garden by painting your fence light blue
“Not all fence colours have to be neutral colours, either. Light blue is often associated with the sky on a clear, summer’s day and by painting fences light blue, you mimic the colour of the sky, creating the colour of an expansive overhead space. Not only that, but the contrast of the light blue with any greenery makes vegetation stand out more prominently, therefore casting the eye upward and creating a sense of depth and openness in the garden.”
South facing garden? Opt for soft pink
One surprising option that actually gives the illusion of more space is soft pinks, says Jenkins. “If you’re lucky enough to get sun in the garden through all points of the day, a soft pink may be the colour option for you. South facing gardens boast beautiful sunshine all day long and the soft hues of sunrise and sunset can cause gardens with pink fences to look much bigger. It can also evoke the sense of natural beauty, creating a serene environment which feels expansive and inviting.”
Fence colours that make your garden appear smaller
“Fences with high contrast colours or include busy patterns and intricate designs can overwhelm the visual space and make the garden feel smaller, as they break up the continuity of the garden space,” shares Jenkins. “Other constricting colours include bold or vibrant warm tones such as oranges, red-toned browns and yellows as they can cause the area to feel overly ‘busy’ and cluttered.”
