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Eight Gardening Solutions for Small Spaces
Small-space gardening solutions for plant lovers with tiny patches of earth—or none at all
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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