Modern & Contemporary Garden Design
Clean lines & calm spaces in which to relax

Contemporary Garden Design in London

A modern or contemporary garden design often has sharp lines which are used to define spaces or areas and is frequently characterised by a general absence of the use of symmetry. Modern and Contemporary garden styles are usually based on geometric layouts which use scale and proportion to add ‘drama’ to the space.

Architecture plays at least as big a role as planting in contemporary garden design. Sunken gardens, solid structures, such as pergolas, are often used in a modern styled garden.

The palette of hard landscaping materials used in paving, walls and seating areas is often understated and minimalistic. Limestones, sawn sandstone, concrete and porcelain paving offer smooth clean lines and surfaces that work well to create simple backdrops for the plants. Planting is often simpler and more architectural than in a traditional garden design.

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What are the characteristics and features of Contemporary Garden Design:

Use of clean, sharp lines

Smooth materials like sawn stone, limestone, concrete, glass and steel

A more minimalistic planting palette

Use of ‘scale’ and ‘proportion to build drama and interest in the space

Extensions of the internal space, where the house interior blends with the garden outside, using a continuation of materials from indoor to out

Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are another popular feature in current contemporary gardens

Lighting can be used very effectively in contemporary garden design. At night the garden can be a dramatic backdrop to the internal life of the property.

Furniture and seating will often echo the clean lines of the contemporary design. Built in seating creates areas in which to lounge and relax or entertain.

What style of property does a Contemporary Garden best work with?

A contemporary garden works well with a newer property but the simplicity of modern design can also enhance more traditional properties. A modern garden can help to accentuate the beautiful architecture and details of a classical building and so the two can work together giving a cool relaxed, uncluttered outlook.

What are the advantages of Contemporary Gardens over Traditional Gardens?

One of the considerations you may want to make when deciding on the design of garden will be the pros and cons of certain specific styles.

Advantages of a contemporary garden design:

Lower maintenance: but not necessarily ‘low maintenance’. Contemporary gardens will often have more hard landscaping that more traditional styles of garden such as cottage or formal garden design. Larger areas of hard surfaces such as paving and decking will mean less lawn care.

Hard wearing: where lawns and beds need constant maintenance, and can show signs of wear, contemporary gardens can be harder wearing needing less day to day maintenance.

Extending your enjoyment of the garden; even in wet or cold weather, good use of cover, firepits and hard flooring can allow the garden to be used in all seasons.

Disadvantages of contemporary garden design:

Wear & Tear: Hard landscaped surfaces such as pale coloured paving and wooden decking may need to be jet-washed regularly to keep the space looking clean and calm.

Expense: The hard landscaping element of contemporary gardens can sometimes be quite expensive to install correctly which is important to ensure a long life.

Child unfriendly: Hard surfaces, expanses of water, sharp edges and stepped levels. Some features of contemporary design may not be as child friendly as a more traditional design with lawn and soft bed planting.

Fixed features: Unlike some more traditional designs, contemporary garden designs may have quite a number of ‘fixed features’ which can make adapting the design at a later date more difficult or costly.

Dated or out of fashion: One consideration might be to avoid ‘current’ fashions’ or ‘gimmicks’ that may date or fall out of fashion. Consider if you will always want to live with large or striking features or design statements, will they remain practical or will they become an issue?

Would you like to discuss designing a contemporary garden for you home?

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Modern & Contemporary garden designs completed for clients.

What clients say about their experience and their new garden

I am writing this is my study overlooking my wonderful new garden. From the first meeting to the final work, I could not have been happier. Sarah created a garden for us that 18 months on looks brilliant, even at this time of year. The end result is that we have a garden and new patio that we can enjoy and one that our grandchildren can also play in. Thank you Sarah.

Jonathan, Hampstead Garden Suburb

Sarah has given me the most beautiful garden. She listened to my ideas and stretched them even further. I could never have got here without her. Her landscaping was inspired and her planting has provided me with a year round delight. I would thoroughly recommend her.

Lizzie, London N8

Sarah of Hampstead Garden Design was a delight to work with, she designed a wonderful patio, front driveway and garden planting scheme for us. Sarah understood our brief completely and we are delighted with the finished results. We consider our garden to be another room in our house and are deriving so much pleasure from it. We would definitely recommend Hampstead Garden Design.

Michelle, Mill Hill

We moved in 2014 to a house with smaller and very unattractive gardens, front and back. We didn’t want to wait for years of our own trial and error improving them. A friend recommended Sarah and using her to design and plant our new gardens has been a real pleasure. She listened to our wants and dislikes, surveyed the new gardens carefully to take account of changes of level, supplied plans we could understand, noted our responses to her proposals, adapted them to what we wanted and oversaw the complete and imaginative redesign and planting of the new gardens.

The whole planting scheme was attractive and interesting and within our budget. Even in the first summer (2015) the result was just what we wanted and we’re confident it will get better and better as the gardens mature. We thought her fees were reasonable and she stuck to the figure she had quoted – no hidden surprises. Her communications with us were first rate.
Thank you Sarah!

Robert and Lynette, North Finchley

We were recommended to Sarah by our architect and found her excellent in every way. It was great to have the garden designed so beautifully and it has greatly enhanced our home. All went very smoothly and it was a pleasure to deal with her.

David and Helen, Hampstead Garden Suburb

From the outset, Sarah was a great listener and transferred my vision to a set of plans that my builders found easy to follow. She worked hard to source products that matched my requirements and always went the extra mile to deliver an excellent and cost effective service. Sarah was a pleasure to work with and I am happy to recommend her work.

Amanda, Golders Green

Sarah understood exactly how I wanted to transform my garden and the result is beautiful and easy to maintain. She is very efficient and extremely pleasant to work with.

Vivien, Hampstead

We had a number of meetings with Sarah to discuss ideas and she interpreted what we wanted beautifully. The companies she recommended to carry out the actual building work according to her plans were excellent. Then began the job of choosing the plant layout which, again, Sarah interpreted beautifully. Everything was planted in September 2016 and now, summer 2017, we are reaping the rewards of a mature, easy to maintain, lovely garden, both back and front. Highly recommended.

Janet, Northwood

Modern & Contemporary Garden Design Clean lines & calm spaces in which to relax