A long, narrow garden has plenty of area but little width, and paths take a bigger share of the width. This example follows how GoSpace's current garden generator divides a 6 × 20 m plot, so you can see why some briefs fail and what to change.
1. Paths come first
The generator reserves a 1 m path inside the boundary and a 1 m path down the middle. The interior is (6 − 2) × (20 − 2) = 72 m²; the central path takes 18 m² of that, leaving 54 m² in two strips, each 1.5 m wide and 18 m long.
2. Zones become long strips
Each zone fills a strip's width, so its length is its area ÷ 1.5 m. The template's 20 m² lawn becomes about 13.3 m long; the 8 m² patio and 8 m² of beds each about 5.3 m. The three fit because 5.3 + 5.3 = 10.7 m on one side and 13.3 m on the other are both within 18 m.
3. When it stops fitting
- Narrower than 6 m, the strips drop below 1.5 m, the generator's minimum zone width, and generation fails.
- Some options shift the central path off-centre, making one strip narrower; those options may be skipped.
- Zones totalling more than the 54 m² of strips cannot fit, however they are arranged.
Ideas for narrow plots
After generating, you can edit freely: widen the lawn into the path, remove a path you do not need, or divide the length into rooms with hedges. Check the warnings afterwards, since edits can disconnect a zone from the gate. Start in the garden planner or read the garden zone budget for a wider plot.
Templates to try
Long narrow garden layout
6 × 20 m, 120 m²
Front yard layout
8 × 6 m, 48 m²
Small courtyard layout
8 × 6 m, 48 m² · 3 furniture items
