Contemporary Garden Ideas and Designs
How do I come up with a contemporary front garden design?
The priority for a front garden is kerb appeal. Begin by considering the area immediately around and leading up to your front door. You may want to opt for front garden designs that blend well with the style of your home – for example, abundant foliage and flowerbeds will perfectly complement a period property, whereas man-made materials, geometric shapes and contrasting textures are great ideas for a contemporary garden design. Even if your front garden is a small space, keep it tidy – if you have more space, make the most of it with garden ideas and features such as a manicured lawn, gravel driveway, water feature or garden fencing. If you don’t have the time or commitment to devote to gardening, then neatly pruned hedges, statement paving, hanging baskets, garden benches and outdoor lighting are all decorative, low maintenance garden ideas for your contemporary front garden design.
How should I design my contemporary back garden?
Back gardens typically offer more space than front garden designs and serve a more recreational purpose, so it’s important to know how you want to spend time in your garden before you design it in order to build in the features that you will enjoy. If you love relaxing in the garden and dining al fresco, think about patios, decking, garden furniture and BBQs. For the more horticulturally-inclined, incorporate flower beds, greenhouses or vegetable garden designs. Your landscape gardening professional can help you install structures such as sheds, pergolas and gazebos that complement your garden design, and artfully-placed garden ideas such as lawn edging and lighting will add definition to your chosen design.
How do I create a low maintenance garden?
The great news is, gardens aren’t exclusively for the green-fingered. Whether you’re not horticulturally-inclined or simply don’t have the time for a bit of landscape gardening, you can still have a contemporary garden design that looks the way you want by making some smart design choices. While many of us favour low maintenance gardens like urban gardens, roof terraces and patio gardens, lovers of greenery don’t need to sacrifice grass for paving slabs. Whatever you want from your garden, there are a variety of gardening solutions that can be built in to make life easier. For example, labour intensive features such as vegetable patches, greenhouses and flower beds can be optimised with an automatic irrigation system. These can be offset with fuss-free garden ideas such as hard landscaping, including gravel, paving or decking, and hard-wearing evergreens that require minimal upkeep. You might even consider replacing your garden fencing with slow growing hedging, which can be maintained less regularly than wooden fence panels.
If having a lawn is important, there are different types of grasses in varying degrees of durability and maintenance. You may choose to take a more relaxed approach to your lawn – “wild” garden designs can have great charm if the grasses and flowers are chosen carefully. If you prefer a manicured lawn, it’s a good idea to invest in a “mulching” lawn mower that will recycle clippings and remove the need for cleaning up. Finally, there isn’t a more low maintenance garden lawn than artificial grass which can look highly realistic and keep your garden looking green. Garden ornaments are a great way to add interest to your low maintenance garden design – go for smart garden ideas such as solar garden lights which are both decorative and functional.
Find some of the most popular design ideas on Houzz.
Whether you want inspiration for planning a contemporary garden renovation or are building a designer garden from scratch, Houzz has 116,281 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including CED Stone Group and Landscape Design by James Brunton-Smith Limited. Look through garden photos in different colours and styles and when you find a contemporary garden design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful contemporary garden ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
A courtyard garden in Cheshire. The garden features rendered walls with raised slatted cedar fencing, box balls, modern planting in a contemporary design, differing levels and climbers. The garden is used to relax and to entertain.
The purple n greens n black blends in pretty... - norazizah_muhammadsidek
James Brunton-Smith
Photo of a large contemporary back formal full sun garden in Surrey with concrete paving.
do you like the trees framing the patio area? - greenvision_gd
Simon Orchard
This is an example of a large contemporary back garden in Hampshire with natural stone paving.
How do I deal with a sloping plot?
“Sloped gardens present more difficulties for installing fencing,” Neil says. “Either raked panels [manufactured on an angle], or individual panels secured to a timber frame and built in situ on the slope, are best and provide the most pleasing results.
“If the slope is reasonably gentle,” he says, “standard fence panels can be used and stepped at regular intervals to take account of the slope.”
“Plan carefully where these ‘steps’ will be,” Peter says, “as th - lemonfritters
Ruth Willmott
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back full sun garden in London.
small area and use of all space but green - clbaggley
Contemporary back garden in London with an outdoor sport court.
For when I get fit and win the lottery - gareth_newman
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A contemporary refurbishment and extension of a Locally Listed mid-terraced Victorian house located within the East Canonbury Conservation Area.
This proposal secured planning permission to remodel and extend the lower ground floor of this mid-terrace property. Through a joint application with the adjoining neighbour to ensure that the symmetry and balance of the terrace is maintained, the house was also extended at 1st floor level. The lower ground floor now opens up to the rear garden while the glass roof ensures that daylight enters the heart of the house.
Don’t like this - too bland and empty - lleggate
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back formal garden in Other with a water feature and gravel.
Good example f a focal point and quite a formal style. - coolgardenslandscaping
Matt Gamble Photography
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back garden in London with gravel.
Garden seats - bibiana_iraki1
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with a pond and natural stone paving.
The designer has added an extra zone to relax, breaking up the flower beds with a different material - c_rastan
Charlotte Rowe Garden Design. Beautifully lit sunken garden with fireplace. A raised informal dining area with a grey polished concrete bar which complements the dark trellis.
Different levels for different zones - nicola210
Alexandra Davies
Medium sized contemporary back garden in London with decking.
different spaces in the garden
different materials and textures - grace_russell85
Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.
What my garden should look like - robertbw
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with a pond and natural stone paving.
Like the stepping stones effect - paulettejames
Designed by Kate Gould and built by The Team Landscapers
Inspiration for a contemporary garden in London.
Great split level and planted areas. - wychend
Medium sized contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with a pond and natural stone paving.
Corner of our garden. With fire - kawhaling
Inspiration for a contemporary garden in London.
Clean lines; symmetry of boxus, but love the hydrangaes - winn_yee
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with a pond and natural stone paving.
Love the light and seated area. - pbm_office
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with a pond and natural stone paving.
seating under tree (impractical?) where boys could sit and watch table tennis - webuser_18315378