Why Your Contemporary Garden Will Look Ace With Straight Edges
Create a sleek, contemporary outdoor space with a garden featuring bold, modern lines
A contemporary garden design, with straight borders and geometric lines, can look eye-catching and refreshingly simple. Take a peek at these chic, simple designs for inspiration.
Upgrade your pond
Ponds don’t have to be round and rustic, as this garden proves. This square number is traversed by rectangular paving stones, while fencing with horizontal slats adds to the linear effect.
A slick, modern design doesn’t have to mean losing lovely greenery, however. Well-pruned trees and bushes prevent this structured space from looking stark. And subtle integrated lighting adds a soft glow as evening falls.
Ponds don’t have to be round and rustic, as this garden proves. This square number is traversed by rectangular paving stones, while fencing with horizontal slats adds to the linear effect.
A slick, modern design doesn’t have to mean losing lovely greenery, however. Well-pruned trees and bushes prevent this structured space from looking stark. And subtle integrated lighting adds a soft glow as evening falls.
Factor in a fence
Perhaps you’re not big on complicated gardening, and simply want those classic basics – a lawn and path? This back yard shows that simple garden design ideas needn’t be dull with a couple of on-trend tweaks.
Choose stylish horizontal slatted fencing, like this wooden design – there are lots around these days. Meanwhile, the borders of tall grasses add a pleasingly natural finish.
Perhaps you’re not big on complicated gardening, and simply want those classic basics – a lawn and path? This back yard shows that simple garden design ideas needn’t be dull with a couple of on-trend tweaks.
Choose stylish horizontal slatted fencing, like this wooden design – there are lots around these days. Meanwhile, the borders of tall grasses add a pleasingly natural finish.
Gravitate to gravel
Combine the best of modern and country by using long, slim paving stones to contain looser, more relaxed details such as gravel.
This garden strikes a balance by keeping it simple while incorporating classic details, such as the benches and sculpture.
A high, evergreen hedge is another way to introduce straight lines that aren’t harsh or too pared back.
Find a range of garden benches, both modern and traditional, in the Houzz Shop
Combine the best of modern and country by using long, slim paving stones to contain looser, more relaxed details such as gravel.
This garden strikes a balance by keeping it simple while incorporating classic details, such as the benches and sculpture.
A high, evergreen hedge is another way to introduce straight lines that aren’t harsh or too pared back.
Find a range of garden benches, both modern and traditional, in the Houzz Shop
Incorporate a bench
A modern, integrated bench kills two birds with one stone – it provides plenty of space for family and friends to relax, and it adds a straight-edged feature that can make your whole garden.
Don’t be apologetic with your design – this one looks great stretching right across the space. It’s also a good way to zone a garden, dividing planting and dining areas.
Laying a new patio? Here’s why limestone is a great option
A modern, integrated bench kills two birds with one stone – it provides plenty of space for family and friends to relax, and it adds a straight-edged feature that can make your whole garden.
Don’t be apologetic with your design – this one looks great stretching right across the space. It’s also a good way to zone a garden, dividing planting and dining areas.
Laying a new patio? Here’s why limestone is a great option
Delight in decking
Decking is naturally linear, and a simple, long-lined design in a pale wood will add a contemporary touch to any garden.
This space is a great example of how decking can be used in a more creative way, integrated with both paving and lawn. The wood adds warmth and the lines add interest; the overall effect is uncluttered and restful.
Decking is naturally linear, and a simple, long-lined design in a pale wood will add a contemporary touch to any garden.
This space is a great example of how decking can be used in a more creative way, integrated with both paving and lawn. The wood adds warmth and the lines add interest; the overall effect is uncluttered and restful.
Buy into boxy furniture
The right accessories are crucial. Here, the designers have chosen garden furniture with bold, graphic shapes, which add a modern edge in a flash. Mixed with a wide expanse of decking and low hedges, it looks chic and contemporary.
Traditional, twirly garden furniture would have taken things in a totally different direction.
The right accessories are crucial. Here, the designers have chosen garden furniture with bold, graphic shapes, which add a modern edge in a flash. Mixed with a wide expanse of decking and low hedges, it looks chic and contemporary.
Traditional, twirly garden furniture would have taken things in a totally different direction.
Experiment with right angles
Raised beds don’t have to be banished to the edges of your garden. Here, a central, straight-edged arrangement flanking steps allows lavender and other plants to be appreciated from the terrace.
The graphic shape is bolder and much more interesting than a curved or lower bed in the same position might have been.
Tell us…
Have you gone for a straight-edged look in your garden? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Raised beds don’t have to be banished to the edges of your garden. Here, a central, straight-edged arrangement flanking steps allows lavender and other plants to be appreciated from the terrace.
The graphic shape is bolder and much more interesting than a curved or lower bed in the same position might have been.
Tell us…
Have you gone for a straight-edged look in your garden? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Turn your path into the main event with a minimal, modern garden design like this one. The straight lines contain a 21st century water feature that adds some dark drama, contrasting with the pale stone and pristine grass.
The original brick walls that surround the modern layout help to retain the space’s period charm.
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