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URBAN GARDEN DESIGN

City Garden & Small Urban Garden Design

A city garden is not a reduced space.

It is a landscape waiting to be revealed.

At Umilys, we design urban gardens and small outdoor spaces where every square meter is considered with precision. Back gardens, patios, inner courtyards and rooftops become structured, living micro-landscapes that evolve over time. 





Types of Urban Garden Projects

  • Townhouses with rear gardens
  • Courtyard gardens
  • Rooftop terraces
  • Narrow side gardens
  • Apartment outdoor extensions
  • Compact residential outdoor spaces

Each project is tailored to its architectural context and to the way the space will be lived in.

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Designing a Small Urban Garden as a Complete Landscape

A small garden requires more clarity and discipline than a large one.

Volume, transparency, circulation and planting structure must be carefully balanced.

We work with depth, seasonal layering and long-term plant composition to create refined outdoor spaces that feel larger than their actual footprint. Every element — from planting strategy to materials — contributes to coherence and calm.

Our approach to small urban garden design focuses on:

  • Spatial structure and visual perspective

  • Durable materials suited to dense environments

  • Low-maintenance yet expressive planting

  • Intelligent water management

Transforming Urban Constraints into Opportunities

Urban environments come with limitations: overlooking neighbors, compacted soil, restricted access, limited sunlight.

We integrate these constraints from the beginning of the design process. Instead of fighting the site, we use it to shape the character of the garden.

Through careful layout planning, level management, structured planting and resilient materials, we create urban gardens that are elegant, functional and sustainable.

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Book a 30 min visio to talk about your project 

A City Garden Designed to Last

We do not design temporary décor.

We create urban landscapes that mature over time.

Plant structure, seasonality and resilience guide every decision. The result is a garden that gains character year after year, becoming a natural extension of the architecture and a meaningful living environment within the city.





Frequently asked questions


What is the difference between an urban garden and a regular garden?


An urban garden is designed for dense city contexts: limited space, proximity to neighbours, restricted sunlight, compacted soil and demanding access conditions. It requires more spatial precision, stronger structural choices and resilient planting strategies than a suburban or country garden. Studio Umilys specialises in turning these urban constraints into design opportunities.


Do you design small city gardens, terraces and inner courtyards?


Yes. We design townhouse back gardens, narrow side gardens, inner courtyards, rooftop terraces, apartment outdoor extensions and any compact urban outdoor space. Each project is treated as a complete landscape, even on a few dozen square metres.


Can you also help with outdoor furniture for an urban garden?


Yes. Our studio handles the complete landscape design and supports clients in selecting outdoor furniture through our network of Belgian and international editors. For small urban spaces, furniture choice is critical — proportions, materials and finishes must align with the architecture and the planting structure.


Where do you design urban gardens?


Studio Umilys is based in La Hulpe and designs urban gardens in Brussels, Brabant Wallon, Brabant Flemish and selected projects elsewhere in Belgium. We are particularly active in Brussels neighbourhoods such as Uccle, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Forest, and in the city centres of Wavre, Waterloo and La Hulpe.


How long does a small urban garden project take?


From the first consultation to completion, expect 3 to 6 months for a typical urban garden. The design phase (site visit, sketches, plans, plant and furniture selection) usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. The build phase depends on access, scope and season.