Outdoor kitchen in Richmond upon thames, london

This inspiring small garden in Richmond, by Katerina Kantalis Garden Design, demonstrates that a narrow space can be a delightful space. The garden is arranged across two levels, with a patio of pale Indian sandstone stepping down to herringbone clay pavers in soft neutral tones. On either side, raised beds edged with wooden sleepers bring greenery up to patio level.

The drought-tolerant plant mix includes gaura, white lavender, white roses, Santa Barbara daisy and purpletop verbena. The tall, airy stems of verbena, lavender and gaura add movement, softening the hard landscaping and making the garden a lovely place to spend time – and thanks to the low-maintenance planting, that’s time spent by the outdoor kitchen, soaking up the warmth the stone absorbs through long summer days.