Contemporary Style

In contemporary garden design, the perfect symmetry of geometric shapes found in traditional gardens is replaced by asymmetrical, sometimes interlocking, lawn and patio shapes.

The focus of contemporary gardens is on leisure and entertaining; the ‘outdoor room’ is at the heart of this style. The materials used for hard surfaces typically take center stage over the planting.

Contemporary style comes from modern design, but it tends to be more natural and softer than its predecessor, which is commonly utilized in commercial properties. In contemporary design, what is “already in place” is taken into consideration and enhanced. The use of curves, wood accents, and strategically placed bright flowers are welcomed. Trees, shrubs, and plants in a contemporary garden tend to have a more upright habit and place focus on the architectural, sculptural beauty that plantlife can provide.

Elements of contemporary gardens

• Geometric-shaped precast concrete stepping stones are common in modern and contemporary garden styles because they’re highly versatile and inexpensive.

• Architectural sculptures or planters made from concrete, resin or ceramic in gray or bold colors are a great choice to mimic and contrast the shapes in your modern garden.

• Metal, whether it’s metal grids, sheet metal or even galvanized steel can help to carry out the modern look of this garden style. Just make sure there’s no patina or rust to the metal to maintain that clean, contemporary look.

• Water features like ponds and fountains with clean lines and geometric shapes are a staple in modern garden styles.