Small improvements to your garden can make even the smallest of spaces appear bigger and less 'oppressive', according to garden expert Angela Slater, from Hayes Garden World.

She has explained how changing the colour of a fence can completely change the atmosphere of your garden, from colourful-themed gardens to your average backyard.

For the average-sized garden, Angela suggests fences of a dark colour, as these make the space appear bigger by drawing the eye away from the fence and towards the plants.

She explains: "If you have a lot of plants packed into your garden space, you can get away with a black or dark graphite fence as it will provide a foil to the colours of your plants and make any light coloured flowers stand out; it will also give the illusion of depth to your plants.

"If you have a lot of green in your borders, paint your fence in dark olive or French navy to tone in with your plants."

For small courtyards, Angela suggests pastel colours such as cream, soft blue, light olive or a light dusky pink, adding that you should be sure to pick a colour that matches your garden's plants and furniture.

She said: "Painting your tiny courtyard in dark colours can make it look oppressive.

"However, if you are trying to achieve a jungle look to the space, then a dark olive or graphite colour would give the illusion of depth and really make the tropical flowers stand out."

And for those with themed courtyards, Angela advises picking a colour in keeping with that theme, alongside plants and furniture that also fit that theme.

Another way to make your garden appear bigger is the use of a garden mirror. Angela says: "An outdoor mirror placed at the end of a path or at the end of the garden will make the garden appear as if there is another part to be explored.

"Better still, place an arbour covered with climbers around the mirror to further the illusion of a portal into another spacious garden."