Understanding Contemporary Garden Design For Modern Landscapes
Garden design is a significant element of landscaping and a large portion of our work as a leading gardening company. Using our years of experience and professional skills, the team at Beautiful Spaces has helped countless clients transform their outdoor space into a garden they love.
Unlocking the potential of your garden and creating a landscape full of beauty, functionality and interest relies heavily on design. As each landscape offers something unique, garden design is a vast industry and one which encompasses a range of styles.
One such style is contemporary garden design, which continues to be a highly popular solution for homeowners across the region. Renowned for clean lines, modern features, and simplicity contemporary garden design can offer a range of benefits, making it an ideal solution for a range of outdoor spaces.
In this guide, we are sharing everything you need to know about contemporary garden design so you can make the best decision for your outdoor space and craft an environment you’ll love.
What Is Contemporary Garden Design?
Contemporary garden design is a particular style of garden that focuses on modern features. This particular aesthetic combines the best modern trends, such as clean, geometric lines and minimalism, to craft environments that are beautiful yet functional.
One of the most striking features of contemporary garden design is simplicity. Gardens designed this way are typically very clean and minimal, but this does not mean they are dull. While this particular style is focused on simplicity, it embraces both natural and man-made features to create truly stunning outdoor spaces.
Materials such as metal, concrete and glass are often juxtaposed with greenery to create a sleek, yet harmonious aesthetic to the garden. It combines the very best of modern technology and trends with traditional outdoor features for a striking overall appeal.
The overall goal of contemporary garden design is to create an outdoor space that complements modern architecture while also being attractive and useable. With its focus on simplicity, contemporary gardens are tranquil, soothing environments that can provide the ideal retreat from modern life.
The Four Key Principles Of Contemporary Garden Design
To make your garden truly modern and in line with contemporary garden design, you need to follow the four core principles of this aesthetic. These are:
1) Minimalism
Contemporary gardens are truly simple in their design, but this does not lessen their impact. Unlike traditional gardens with a range of ornate features, various colours, and a mixture of colours, modern gardens are minimal.
Each element has been deliberately included to ensure a cohesive, seamless design of the space as a whole. The aim of contemporary garden design is to create an attractive, functional garden without clutter. Minimal features are chosen for maximum impact, which is why this design is suitable for all kinds of outdoor spaces.
2) Geometry
Geometry plays a huge role in designing modern gardens, as it is the basis of all decorative elements. Think clean lines and structured shapes – decorative features, including plants and natural elements, are used to create order and visual appeal across the garden.
With such a focus on clean, sharp lines, contemporary garden design succeeds in creating spaces which feel structured and intentional.
3) Balance
To create a sense of harmony, contemporary gardens often combine both hardscaping and softscaped elements. Features such as patios, paving, and decking are often paired with flowers, turf, and plants, to create a functional outdoor space that is suitable for all-weather use.
Combining both soft and hardscaped elements also creates a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, which is a major appeal of contemporary gardens, and allows access to the garden all year round. Hardscaping, such as paving, is used to add structure to the garden, whereas plants and turfing soften the edges and offer natural appeal.
4) Sustainability
Sustainability is a major concern for modern consumers, so it makes sense for it to be a key principle of contemporary garden design. Modern gardens are designed to incorporate environmentally friendly features, whether this is ethically sourced materials, native plants or even smart gardening tools such as automated irrigation systems.
This not only makes contemporary garden designs beneficial for the planet but also makes them easier to care for, allowing even those with the busiest schedules to enjoy a thriving outdoor environment throughout the seasons.
Five Materials That Define Contemporary Gardens
Carefully selected design elements are essential when creating a contemporary garden.
Following the key principles of this garden design style, there are five materials that define contemporary garden design and are required to curate this particular aesthetic:
- Concrete: Used to create sleek pathways, planters and terraces in modern gardens
- Gravel: A popular material for paving and driveways
- Metal: Ideal for decorative items, in particular corten steel, to add varying texture and light to the garden
- Glass: Implemented into balustrades, pergolas, or garden dividers for a clean, modern look
- Timber And Composite Alternatives: For fencing and decking, offering sustainability and style
From hardscaping to decorative items, these materials are essential to creating a modern outdoor space.
The Best Features To Elevate Contemporary Garden Design
When designing a contemporary garden, it can be difficult to follow the trend without copying everyone else. As this is a popular design for outdoor spaces, you want to ensure that your garden fits the mould and remains individual to you.
Several features can enhance the appeal of contemporary garden design, allowing you to create something unique within the boundaries of this trend. Based on your budget, lifestyle and size of the landscape, consider implementing the following to make your contemporary garden unique:
Outdoor Dining And Seating
Make your space functional and attractive with durable garden furniture. Choose materials such as timber, metal or glass to create a sleek dining area and ensure your garden is suitable for any occasion.
Whether you want to host al fresco dining events or create a comfortable lounge for people of all ages, garden furniture following the same principles of design can be added to any outdoor space to elevate the appeal and accessibility.
Water Features
Add some elegance to your garden with stunning water features. From a simple reflective pond to a sleek, cascading waterfall, water not only adds visual appeal to the garden but tranquillity too.
The sounds of running water can create a tranquil ambience, ideal for relaxing in private at the end of a busy working day, and water reflects sunlight beautifully adding some movement and interest to your simplistic garden.
Garden Lighting
More than just a functional tool, outdoor lighting allows you to take advantage of your newly designed space at all hours of the day. As well as keeping the garden accessible even when the sun goes down, lighting is a key tool for ambience, setting the mood for any occasion.
Contemporary gardens can greatly benefit from solar-powered lights, spotlights, and uplights to highlight specific features and keep the modern appeal going, well into the evening.
Structural Plants
Plants with strong, structural shapes are a great way to elevate contemporary garden design and increase the number of natural elements used outdoors. Consider plants such as bamboo, ornamental grasses, and agaves as all offer a similar, neutral colour palette as well as strong structural appeal.
Whether planted across the boundaries of your property, against the fence, or in raised concrete planters, they can enhance the appeal of your outdoor space.
Creating Your Own Contemporary Garden
Contemporary garden design may begin as a concept, but it can become a reality by implementing these key features and design elements into your outdoor space.
At Beautiful Spaces, we specialise in transforming gardens into stunning spaces and provide a comprehensive garden design service to do just that. Our landscapers are fully equipped to provide the care you need, working with you from the initial planning until the finishing touches.
We will assess your landscape to determine the best course of action and work with you to create bespoke design features that complement your home and align with your lifestyle. From paving to planting, we have the skills to deliver a range of services to bring your vision to life.
Conclusion
Contemporary garden design is a highly popular aesthetic for outdoor spaces these days. Modern homeowners are seeking to increase their living space and create more room for relaxation, entertaining and enjoyment. Gardens can become an extension of your home when designed well, and contemporary trends make this ideal for modern consumers.
Defined by clean lines, sleek materials, and functionality, contemporary garden design is a great way to add some elegance to your garden.
