SGLD showcases small gardens competing at SGLD Awards

SGLD showcases small gardens competing at SGLD Awards: As more homeowners seek beautifully designed, multi-functional outdoor spaces within modest footprints, the shortlisted projects at this year’s SGLD Awards demonstrate that limited space is no barrier to ambitious, imaginative and environmentally sensitive design.

From skilful level changes and innovative planting to thoughtful approaches that maximise usability, biodiversity and character, each garden showcases the power of small-scale design to transform everyday living — proving that the smallest plots can deliver the biggest rewards.

Multi-Level Garden 

A shady, multi-level garden where ‘floating’ terraces nestle beneath a magnificent lime tree, creating sheltered spaces for dining and relaxation. Designed by Adolfo Harrison MSGLD, the woodland-inspired scheme uses cascading evergreens and textured planting that spill from the retaining walls toward the house, forming a lush, immersive environment that seamlessly blurs the boundary between indoors and out.

Geometry on a Small Scale

This redesigned family garden by McWilliam Studio transforms a previously plain, disconnected plot into a calm and contemporary outdoor space. Inspired by the home’s historic flint and surrounding woodland, the scheme introduces architectural features such as flint walls, a reflective pool and elegant limestone terraces to create structure and focal points. Layered planting of perennials, grasses, ferns and multi-stem trees softens the geometry, enriches biodiversity and delivers a tranquil, multifunctional garden for modern family living.

Small, Hard-to-Use Space

On a tight and awkwardly shaped urban plot, Cassandra Crouch MSGLD has transformed a once-bare space into a lush, secluded garden that feels far larger than its footprint. Varied decking widths introduce gentle movement, Corten detailing lifts planting and frames views, and multistem trees provide height and privacy. A sculptural Douglas fir bench anchors the design, while playful features — boulders, stepping elements and a discreet swing — are woven in for family use. Layered, textural planting softens boundaries and brings greenery right up to the house, creating a calm, contemporary outdoor room for modern city living.

Enclosed Urban Retreat

Sheila Jack MSGLD has transformed this tiny enclosed courtyard into a calm, contemporary retreat. Curved forms and stone stackers maximise space and guide movement, while a multi-stem Prunus serrula adds sculptural structure and year-round interest. Textural evergreen planting softens boundaries, and crafted details — including a bespoke curved bench and clay water bowl — bring refinement without excess. Thoughtful reuse of materials and sensitive enhancement of existing planting ensure the garden feels sustainable, characterful and deeply rooted in its urban context.

Coastal Gem

Transforming this small coastal garden into an intimate retreat designed for year-round enjoyment, designer Nick Morton has drawn on drought-tolerant, biodiversity-rich planting and permeable, low-maintenance surfaces, to create a series of flexible terraces for dining, relaxing and entertaining. Existing trees and boundaries are sensitively integrated, while new focal points and improved circulation make the garden feel sheltered, cohesive and deeply connected to its coastal setting.

Small and Productive

Tomoko Kawauchi’s redesign of this small urban garden adds a softer, more natural character to both the side and rear spaces. English stone, clay pavers, and generous planting have replaced the former hardscape, while a once-forgotten side garden becomes a gravel parterre with multi-stem trees, woodland perennials, and raised kitchen beds. At the rear, buff stone and a timber arbour with a fireplace anchor the space, as lush planting beds draw greenery up to the house to infuse the terrace with new energy.

New-Build Haven

Mandy Buckland MSGLD has transformed this typical new-build plot from a blank, overlooked lawn into a vibrant, multi-functional garden tailored for family life. Clear zones for dining, relaxation and play are seamlessly connected through a cohesive layout and repeated materials. Bespoke steel structures, richly layered planting for year-round interest, and thoughtful details — from patterned porcelain tiles to a custom pergola and swing frame — give the space a sense of character and comfort despite its modest size.

Richly-Planted Urban Sanctuary

In this small conservation-area garden, designer Tomoko Kawauchi MSGLD has transformed a once hard-surfaced plot into a richly planted sanctuary centred on a mature magnolia. Permeable gravel, clay pavers and porcelain terraces echo the home’s interior, while sculptural Taxus domes, ornamental grasses and seasonal perennials bring texture and interest year-round. A bespoke fireplace anchors the upper terrace, and carefully choreographed paths guide visitors on a looping journey around the magnolia.

Compact Garden on a Slope

Set on a steep, tree-shaded plot beside Hampstead Heath, Adolfo Harrison MSGLD has transformed challenging levels and protected trees into flowing, contour-led paths that make this compact garden feel larger and more immersive. Winding routes through woodland-style planting create movement and softness, while a framed pergola with fire bowl draws the eye to the garden’s furthest point. Reused Yorkstone, boulders and permeable surfaces support sustainability, resulting in a calm, atmospheric space deeply rooted in its hillside setting.

Courtyard Garden

Designed as a contemporary walled garden at the heart of a modern home, Anca Panait MSGLD has reimagined a previously undefined space as a calm, structured and immersive garden. Inspired by traditional walled-garden principles, the design introduces a classical central axis with generous planting beds that soften the surrounding architecture and create a restorative, inward-looking landscape. A simple palette of clay pavers, gravel and reclaimed brick connects the garden to the house, while abundant textural planting and a sculptural water feature add movement, scent and seasonal interest.

Winners of the SGLD Awards will be announced on 6th February 2026. 

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