Gardens are so much more than an outside space. They’re where people come together to socialise, relax and block out the stresses of work. With so many garden designs available, more people are turning away from the traditional in favour of something more contemporary.
When people think about modern garden design, they might not immediately associate it with a green and healthy environment. But modern gardens can be beautiful and green.
This blog post will explore the benefits of modern garden design over traditional gardens.
What Is Modern Garden Design?
Modern garden design is all about creating an outdoor space that is functional and beautiful. It often features clean lines and geometric shapes and incorporates modern materials such as metal and concrete.
Modern gardens are similar to contemporary interior design, which is less about small details and more about streamlining contrasting colours and furniture to achieve a minimalistic appeal.
One of the key elements of modern garden design is using plants in creative ways to achieve a sleek, contemporary look. You might see modern gardens with large expanses of decking with modern planting features, such as vertical gardens or gravel beds.
How Is It Different to Traditional Garden Design?
Traditional garden design is rooted in history and often features winding paths, traditional plants such as roses and lavender, and ornate fountains.
One of the key differences between modern gardens and traditional designs is that modern gardens typically don’t feature many plants that require a lot of work or care.
Similarly, you can use modern materials such as metal and concrete to create hard landscaping features that wouldn’t look out of place in a contemporary home. While traditional gardens often use fences or hedges to section off areas, modern gardens use bold modern furniture to create boundaries.
Why Is Modern Garden Design So Popular?
Modern garden design has become popular because it is more functional than traditional designs. For example, you can incorporate modern materials such as concrete and metal for edging or hardscaping features that maximise the space available in your garden.
While some people won’t settle for anything less than a traditional garden full of colourful flowers and ornaments, modern gardens require less maintenance and don’t look cluttered.
If you’re looking for an easy way to update your outdoor space, modern garden design is the way to go.
The Benefits of Contemporary Gardens
Now you know a bit more about modern garden design, and why it’s so popular, it’s time to reveal some of the benefits it offers.
Enhance Your Outdoor Space
When you create a modern garden, there’s more focus on streamlining and maximising space rather than crowding the garden with flowers. If you’re limited on space, you can use decking and other elements to maximise your garden.
For example, instead of worrying about splitting the garden into pathways, you can make a water feature the central focus of your outdoor space and lay decking or concrete around the outside.
Not only does this create a modern look, but it also gives you more usable space for the lawn area.
Low maintenance
Some people love gardening and take pride in watering their plants every day – but other’s don’t. When you have a hectic job and family commitments, you probably want a simple solution, and that’s where contemporary gardens come in.
Even if you decide to incorporate plants, they’ll probably be well suited to dry conditions, meaning you won’t have to spend hours weeding and watering plants every week.
Ideal For Children and Pets
One of the best things about modern gardens is it’s perfect for children and pets. There are no hidden corners or tight spaces to trap little ones, and you can use modern materials such as metal and concrete to create hardscaping features that are safe for your furry friends.
You can also allocate space for your pets toileting needs, and if you incorporate decking and pathways, your children will have a place to play.
Great For Entertaining
When you have a modern garden, there are plenty of spots to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. For example, contemporary gardens often incorporate water features which can double up as a focal point for outdoor entertaining or family gatherings.
If you want an easy way to create more space in your home, a modern garden is perfect because it will blend seamlessly with your interior decor.
You can also add a cooking area, including a BBQ and even a pizza oven if you’re feeling creative.
While traditional gardens are lovely to look at, they’re not always practical – especially for young families or couples that love to entertain.
Things to Consider Before Creating a Modern Garden
Creating a modern garden is easy, but there are some things to consider before starting.
Choose Your Materials Carefully
One of the best parts about modern gardens is that they can be designed around modern materials such as stone and metal, which means it’s easier than ever to transform your outdoor space.
However, we recommend matching them with your home interior to create a seamless transition from the house to the garden.
Hire a Professional
A low-maintenance contemporary garden can save you a lot of time and money in the future, but it’s also an investment.
If you’re experienced with DIY, you might find it easy to create your garden, but it might be a good idea to invest in a landscaping company that understands modern garden design and can help you bring your vision to life.
Remember Your Budget
There’s so much you can do when it comes to modern gardens, but it’s essential to keep your budget in mind before you start shopping for materials and water features.
Naturally, some materials and water features will be more expensive, and if you don’t plan, you might find that you run out of money early on in the project.
If you’d like any help creating your dream garden, the team at Floral & Hardy has worked on a range of contemporary landscape design projects. Please feel free to contact us if you’d like to know more about how we can help you.
You can also check out our post on the famous gardeners that changed the face of landscape design here.
