Making The Most Out Of Small Spaces With Modern Garden Design
At Gloucestershire Garden Design, we believe that every landscape deserves the best. We offer comprehensive garden design and landscaping services to help people achieve their dream outdoor space. Over the years, we have helped many clients renovate their gardens and create an environment that is perfectly suited to their lifestyle.
In this post, we are exploring a recent project we completed in Abbeymead to demonstrate what can be done with a more compact outdoor space. Even those limited in space can achieve incredible results, and we are here to help.
This project is an incredible example of how modern garden design can be personalised to create a functional outdoor space without losing charm.
Project Overview: Modern Garden Design With Character
As a professional landscaping company, we are no strangers to modern garden design. Defined by clean lines and simple layouts, contemporary garden design has been a popular choice and is frequently requested.
While some of the same principles of this trend were used in this project in Gloucestershire, the finished result is completely bespoke. Our clients, Sue and Peter, requested a change from the traditional garden set-up they had been used to, but they still wanted to preserve the character of their landscape.
Our aim was to strike a balance between modern garden design and lush greenery, offering plenty of space for flowers, planting, and grass that would change with the seasons. Typically, modern garden design relies on low-maintenance planting and uniform displays, but this did not align with the requirements of Sue and Peter, encouraging us to think outside of the box for this project.
Making The Most Out Of Small Spaces
Another key principle of this project is the limited space we had to work with. While this garden is not the smallest, the layout was a huge concern to ensure we could fit everything our clients desired without hindering flow or visual appeal.
This is why modern garden design was a great choice for this particular landscape, as the focus on clean lines and structure allowed us to divide the landscape into zones. Sue and Peter wanted a lively garden that could be used throughout the year and would accommodate different purposes.
To achieve this, we relied on a combination of multi-functional features and garden zoning to create areas such as:
- A small outdoor kitchen on the main patio, which is compact but fitted with the necessary equipment for entertaining and al fresco dining
- A pergola with pull-down screens to create a cosy, intimate setting for seating or dining and can be used in all weather conditions
- Multiple seating zones in various areas of the garden to allow full appreciation of the space, as well as accommodate guests and occasions
- Discreet garden storage that aligns with the design of hardscaping to keep the garden organised and tidy, without compromising visual appeal
In various zones of the garden, we included decorative and functional items to enhance usability. For example, an integrated heater was installed near the main seating area to accommodate all-weather use, allowing our clients to enjoy their outdoor space all year long.
By having set zones for each area of the garden, such as cooking, dining, and entertaining, we have avoided clutter, which is a concern for compact outdoor spaces, while still meeting all our clients’ needs. Zoning is done using a combination of soft and hard landscaping, such as turfing and paving, to create set areas in the landscape and enhance the sense of flow.
This is a great solution for all sizes of landscapes and plays a key role in modern garden design, which is why this project has been so successful for our team.
The Key Principles Of Modern Garden Design
Each element has been carefully considered to ensure functionality and aesthetic appeal, allowing our clients to achieve the garden they’ve always desired without sacrificing space.
This project is a showcase of how effective contemporary garden design can be even in small spaces, with key principles being used throughout, such as:
- Clean Lines and Geometric Structures: For clear definition, clean lines and geometric shapes are used throughout modern garden design. In this project, this has been used to define zones, such as with the pergola, without taking up too much space.
- Natural Hard Landscaping Materials: The contemporary patio and paving provide a stunning contrast to the turf and planted areas, offering a combination of style and functionality across the landscape. The cool-toned colour palette is incredibly modern and aligns with the property’s style, as well as allowing colour from the plants to pop.
- Flexible Structures: To accommodate the smaller space, multi-functional features such as the pull-down pergola sides have been used to meet our client’s needs without taking up too much of the garden. This outdoor space is suitable for all occasions and can be used year-round thanks to the flexible features used throughout.
Why It Works: A Blend Of Structure And Style
Modern garden design is popular for a reason, but it may need adjustments to perfectly align with specific landscape requirements, such as small spaces. To create a landscape that is attractive, functional, yet full of character, this project combined structure with soft landscaping.
With the clean lines and simple planting, contemporary garden design runs the risk of feeling too sterile in small spaces, which Sue and Peter wanted to avoid in this project. This is why we relied on more planting than most modern gardens and included several multi-functional features to encourage the garden to change with the seasons.
Relying on the main principles of modern garden design, such as quality materials and structured zones, we were able to make the most out of this small landscape. There is now space for entertaining, dining, and relaxing without making the garden feel too cluttered or overwhelmed.
With focal points such as the water feature and full planters, this charming garden is organised but full of life.
Finished Results: Big Ideas For Small Gardens
This project shows that it doesn’t matter how small your garden may be; it is still possible to achieve everything you desire with professional help. Combining key elements of modern garden design with unique planting creates a bespoke outdoor space that is full of life and charm to align with our clients’ desires.
The clean zoning of contemporary design allowed us to include a variety of outdoor features, such as seating, outdoor kitchen equipment, and a pergola, to accommodate all needs. This is now a stunningly organised landscape that is ready to use all year round.
Contact Us Today
Are you looking to upgrade your garden? Whether you’re working with a compact back garden or a sprawling landscape, our team can help you create a space that fits your lifestyle.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote.
