Clean lines. Industrial features. Minimalist plantings. It’s no wonder the modern/contemporary garden style is so popular. In this video, I’ll go over my top tips for incorporating this modern garden style into your own home landscape… along with lots of ideas for plants and features to use!
About the Video: In modern and contemporary garden design, the perfect symmetry of geometric shapes of traditional gardens is replaced by asymmetrical, sometimes interlocking, lawn and patio shapes.
Modern landscape can be defined as clean-lined, hard-edged and minimalistic. Modern design style is characterized by heavy uses of metal, concrete and monochromatic or pale color palettes. Modern design focuses heavily on the function of the materials rather than nature.
Modern vs. Contemporary? While I’ll be covering both modern and contemporary garden styles under one heading, it may be helpful to remember that while all modern landscaping can be contemporary, not all contemporary designs are modern. Modern design style is typically better suited for commercial property and contemporary design.
Here are my top tips to nailing the modern/contemporary garden style at home:
-Less is more: Plantings for modern gardens are usually very minimal. Choose one main staple plant and repeat it over and over again throughout the landscape. Most modern/contemporary garden designs incorporate a very SMALL variety of plants in a very narrow range of colors). Also keep your hardscaping choices to a minimum. Try to use the same styles and colors throughout your design.
-Geometric Shapes: Modern/Contemporary gardens can have straight paths or curved paths. The trick is to create very strong lines and geometry in the design. That’s why the use of geometric-shaped precast concrete stepping stones are common in modern and contemporary garden styles. They work… because they’re highly versatile and inexpensive.
-Architectural sculptures, planters and water features: Sculptures and planters that are smooth and sleek work great for this design that’s based on geometric forms. Many landscape designers will choose features 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. Incorporate water features like ponds and fountains with clean lines and geometric shapes are a staple in modern garden styles.
-Go smooth and sleek: When in doubt, choose hardscape elements that are no frills -- very smooth and sleek. Add 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.
-Add an accent wall or feature: Accent walls or some bold pop of color is another great way to brighten up and liven up this typically stark and lifeless style.
Items to incorporate to get the modern/contemporary garden style at home:
