When you’re working with a compact outdoor area, every design choice matters — especially your fence colour. The right shade can soften boundaries, create visual depth, and make even the smallest courtyard or backyard feel more open and inviting.
To help decode the tricks of the trade, garden expert Kylie O’Hara of luxury outdoor brand Luxus Home Furniture shares her favourite fence colours (and why they work), along with clever styling tips to help you maximise every centimetre of your outdoor space.
Related article: How to affordably landscape your garden: Wow factor on a budget
Related article: How to make compost: A composting guide for beginners
Why fence colour makes such a big difference
“Your fence is one of the largest surfaces in your garden,” explains Kylie. “When space is limited, using colour and design to trick the eye can make the biggest impact — sometimes more than plants or furniture.”
Light, muted and nature-inspired tones tend to visually push the boundaries outward, helping your garden feel bigger than it actually is.
And the best part? You can transform your whole outdoor space with a single weekend project — and for under $100 of garden paint.
Top fence colours to make a small garden feel larger
1. Soft grey — the ultimate boundary-blurring neutral
A pale grey fence is one of the most effective ways to visually ‘disappear’ the perimeter of your garden.
“Light grey softens the boundaries and adds a subtle elegance,” says Kylie. “It allows plants and timber furniture to pop, rather than competing with the backdrop.”
This shade works brilliantly in modern, coastal and contemporary outdoor spaces.
2. Soft sage or muted greens — perfect for blending into nature
A gentle green fence instantly connects your garden to the surrounding landscape.
“It gives an earthy, homely feel,” Kylie explains. “And because it echoes the tones already present in your plants and lawn, the fence visually recedes.”
Choose sage, olive, eucalypt or moss tones depending on your garden style.
3. Pastel hues — muted colour with personality
If you want something with a hint of playfulness (but still subtle), consider muted pastels like dusty pink, powder blue or lavender.
These colours lift the mood without overwhelming the space.
“Pastels let you add vibrancy without creating a domineering backdrop,” says Kylie.
This approach suits cottage gardens, vintage-inspired spaces or playful outdoor zones styled with textural throws and soft furnishings.
More ways to make a small outdoor space feel bigger
Fence colour is just the beginning. Kylie shares more clever design tricks that extend and elevate your outdoor area.
1. Maximise vertical space
“If ground space is limited, go up,” she says.
Top ways to use the vertical space in your garden:
- vertical planters, like our jasmine climbing wall hack
- wall-mounted pots
- hanging gardens
- trellises for climbing greenery.
These draw the eye upward and instantly expand the perceived height of your garden.
2. Choose furniture wisely
Selecting the right furniture is crucial — especially in a compact space.
Opt for natural, durable materials such as teak (a Luxus Home Furniture specialty) and slimline designs with curves instead of heavy, boxy forms. It’s also a good idea to invest in multi-functional pieces like modular lounges or extendable dining tables.
Teak furniture is particularly popular for its longevity and warm, minimalist aesthetic — perfect for both quiet luxury lovers and small-space stylers.
3. Create cosy zones rather than filling the space
The best outdoor spaces use every square centimetre to its fullest potential, and zoning is a great design technique to do just that! Think about how you want to use your outdoors — a fire pit for casual entertaining, outdoor dining space, a cosy nook for relaxing solo with a book.
Using outdoor rugs, planters or furniture placement can help create flow without clutter.
4. Layer lighting to enhance atmosphere
A good lighting plan can make a small garden feel magical at night. Lighting is a low cost, high-impact way to add ambiance and improve functionality of your outdoors.
Outdoor lighting ideas to elevate your space:
- solar-powered string lights
- portable lanterns
- battery candles
- a feature pendant under a pergola.
We hope this article has given you some inspo to choose the right fence colour to make your space feel larger, and thoughtful styling tricks to further enhance the sense of space.
More outdoor inspo
