Eight Gardening Solutions for Small Spaces
Small-space gardening solutions for plant lovers with tiny patches of earth—or none at all
By Lauren Mang March 13, 2014
This article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
1 Organization Station
When space to grow plants and store garden tools is hard to come by, opt for one grand multitasking unit. Ikea’s Socker plant stand, (pictured above) $39.99, with a slim profile that allows it to fit just about anywhere in your abode, is constructed of powder-coated steel and supports multiple sleek and shiny galvanized steel plant pots ($0.99 each) for cultivating greenery and stashing pruning shears neatly and efficiently. Ikea, Renton, 601 SW 41st St.; 888.888.4532; ikea.com
2 Take a Stand
The Jean-Baptiste indoor/outdoor stool, $325, created by industrial designer Jean-François D’Or for French furniture retailer Ligne Roset, has a three-legged base of natural finished larch that holds either a satin white stoneware tray or pot ($140, pot or tray)—complete with drainage holes. Ligne Roset, South Lake Union, 112 Westlake Ave. N; 206.341.9990; ligne-roset-usa.com
3 Double Duty
For small garden spaces, go with products that offer up more than one function. Design Within Reach’s angular indoor/outdoor Cutter stool, $375, in chic teak, by Danish designer Niels Hvass, serves as as a spot to display plants and flowers, and moonlights as a place to park when you need a breather. The optional Cutter box, $170, slides underneath, providing handy storage. Design Within Reach, Downtown, 1918 First Ave.; 206.443.9900; dwr.com
4 Flower Power
Wall Flower, $195, the petite light fixture by Marcel Wanders for contemporary lighting manufacturer Flos, enlivens yards with LED light by night and imparts a peek of pretty blossom-shaped glass (in transparent or acid-etched gray) by day. $125, power supply driver required. Inform Interiors, South Lake Union, 300 Dexter Ave. N; 206.622.1608; informseattle.com
5 The Skinny
Edmonds-based biz KuL Designs produces modern, functional and illuminated furniture and accessories that are all sustainably manufactured in the U.S. We love the Modenvaz Alto planter (starting at $205) made from recycled polyethylene that punches in at a space-saving 12 inches wide and 30 inches tall. Opt for one of nine vivid shades with LED- or solar-powered illumination, or select neutral or white and illuminate with the auto-changing RGB (red, green, blue) light. Available online only at kuldesigns.com
6 Cast Away
Take the hands-on approach to gardening one step further by casting your own planter. Each NativeCast DIY eco-concrete garden kit (starting at $16) contains a mixing spoon, mold, bag of eco-concrete, seed starter soil and a pack of seeds. Fleurt, West Seattle, 4536 California Ave. SW; 206.937.1103; fleurtseattle.com
7 True Colors
Don’t ignore the floor: A swath of cool coral with a heathered, off-white trellis pattern underfoot jazzes up even the smallest spaces—indoor and out. Crate and Barrel’s Dyna rug, $49.95, in a compact 3-by-5-foot size, is made of machine-loomed polypropylene and is a cinch to clean—just hose it down and let dry. Crate and Barrel, Bellevue Collection and University Village; crateandbarrel.com
8 Hang Time
Go retro (and vertical) with these Roost jute macramé hanging planters, $89. Fill up the large glass orbs with layers of sand and add succulents or pop in a rootless air plant (which absorbs moisture and nutrients through its leaves) for low-maintenance foliage on high. Ravenna Gardens, University Village, 2623 NE University Village St.; 206.729.7388; ravennagardens.com
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