A Narrow Escape: The 3-Metre Garden Magic Trick

When Life Gives You Three Metres

Sometimes the most delightful challenges come in the smallest packages. This new build garden was so narrow it could barely accommodate a dining table sideways, yet our clients had grand pergola dreams. The question was simple: how do you fit big ideas into a space that’s essentially a very pretty corridor?

The Great Garden Illusion

Our solution? A bit of visual trickery that would make a magician proud. By designing circular pergola arches that appear to continue beyond the garden’s boundaries, we essentially borrowed space that doesn’t exist. It’s architectural sleight of hand—your brain fills in the missing bits and suddenly the garden feels wonderfully roomy.


The proof is in the pudding (or perhaps the neighboring plot): a friend recently declared our client’s garden looked “a bit wider” than their identical one next door. Mission accomplished—with geometry and a bit of psychological wizardry!

Champagne Moments

The bespoke steel framework creates perfect growing conditions for the wisteria to perform its seasonal spectacular. Come spring, stepping into this garden feels like immersing yourself in a glass of champagne for the eyes—all bubbling creamy white blooms and intoxicating fragrance.


From this elevated perspective among the wisteria clouds, the garden’s narrow dimensions become irrelevant. Sometimes the best spaces aren’t about square footage—they’re about creating moments that make you forget where you are entirely.

Small Space, Big Personality

This little garden proves that constraints can be liberating. When you can’t go wide, you might as well go wonderful. Our clients now have a space that punches well above its weight class, delivering maximum impact from minimal square metres—and their neighbors are definitely taking notes.


For clients with challenging small spaces who refuse to compromise on style, Hillman Gardens transforms limitations into showstoppers through good design and a healthy dose of creative mischief!
A Partial Garden Redesign in London Fields E8
Artful Transformation: A Partial Garden Redesign in London Fields E8
View Artful Transformation: A Partial Garden Redesign in London Fields E8
Completed South Facing Garden in Columbia Road, E2 East London
South Facing Urban Retreat Garden in Columbia Road E2
View South Facing Urban Retreat Garden in Columbia Road E2
Strategic Garden Design: Maximizing Space in a Complex Urban Layout
View Strategic Garden Design: Maximizing Space in a Complex Urban Layout
Garden Landscaping in Hackney Central North London with Hardscape Features such as Fencing and Brick Patio
Creative Landscape Design in Hackney Central E9
 Garden Landscape and Build in Walthamstow East London with Soft Landscaping including Green Wall and Exotic Planting

Our experts have you covered. Tell us your idea, we’ll make it happen

I can’t recommend Duncan and his team highly enough. Creative, professional, and fun to work with. Great design and construction too! Claudia, Crouch End N8
See Claudia's garden