Contemporary Garden Design

Contemporary garden design is about creating a landscape that feels relevant to the architecture, lifestyle and expectations of the property today.

It is often associated with:

• Clean lines

• Strong geometry

• High-quality materials

• Architectural planting

• Generous outdoor-living spaces

• Integrated lighting

• Carefully controlled detailing.

But a successful contemporary garden should be more than a collection of fashionable finishes.

At Kirman Design, contemporary garden design begins with the relationship between:

house + garden + views + lifestyle + landscape.

The result should feel considered and cohesive rather than simply modern for the sake of appearance.

We design contemporary gardens throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

What Is Contemporary Garden Design?

Contemporary garden design reflects current approaches to:

• Architecture

• Outdoor living

• Materials

• Planting

• Landscape construction.

It frequently combines simple structural forms with softer, more naturalistic planting.

Typical elements may include:

• Porcelain paving

• Large terraces

• Raised planters

• Architectural walls

• Pergolas

• Outdoor kitchens

• Fire features

• Water

• Garden lighting

• Specimen trees

• Grasses and perennial planting.

However, no individual feature makes a garden contemporary.

The overall composition does.

Contemporary Garden Design vs Modern Garden Design

The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily identical.

Modern garden design can imply a stronger commitment to:

• Minimalism

• Geometry

• Architectural simplicity.

Our Modern Gardens page explores that style in more detail.

Contemporary garden design is often slightly broader.

It can combine:

• Clean architecture

• Naturalistic planting

• Traditional materials used in new ways

• Current outdoor-living requirements.

Contemporary Gardens

For a broader style-led exploration of contemporary landscapes, see our Contemporary Gardens page.

This page focuses more specifically on the professional contemporary garden design service and how a contemporary garden is developed from brief through to construction.

Contemporary Design Starts With the House

The house should usually be the starting point.

Consider:

• Architecture

• Window positions

• Door openings

• Internal sightlines

• Materials

• Proportions.

The garden should extend the logic of the property rather than appear as a completely separate design exercise.

Contemporary Garden Design for Contemporary Houses

For strongly architectural homes, see Garden Design for Contemporary Houses.

Large expanses of glazing and open-plan interiors can create particularly strong relationships between inside and outside.

Contemporary Garden Design for Modern Homes

Our Garden Design for Modern Homes page explores how garden geometry, materials and planting can respond to modern residential architecture.

Contemporary Garden Design for Period Properties

A contemporary garden can also work successfully with an older house.

The objective does not necessarily need to be historical reproduction.

A contemporary intervention can provide a deliberate contrast while still respecting:

• Scale

• Material quality

• Architecture.

Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores this relationship in more detail.

Contemporary Gardens for Victorian Houses

A Victorian house does not automatically require a traditional garden.

Our Garden Design for Victorian Houses page explores how contemporary outdoor living can be reconciled with older architecture.

Contemporary Gardens for Edwardian Houses

For Edwardian properties, see Garden Design for Edwardian Houses.

The garden can combine modern functionality with proportions and materials sympathetic to the house.

Contemporary Gardens for Listed Buildings

Contemporary landscape design can sometimes sit successfully alongside historic buildings, but the setting requires greater care.

Our Garden Design for Listed Buildings page explores the wider considerations.

Contemporary Gardens for Barn Conversions

Barn conversions often lend themselves particularly well to contemporary landscaping.

Our Garden Design for Barn Conversions page explores the balance between:

• Rural context

• Traditional building form

• Modern outdoor living.

Contemporary Garden Design After an Extension

An extension frequently changes how the garden should work.

New:

• Glazing

• Doors

• Kitchen positions

• Finished floor levels

can make the original landscape obsolete.

Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores how the garden can be reconsidered.

Contemporary Landscaping After Building Work

Where the garden also requires substantial reconstruction, see Landscaping After House Extension.

This explores the physical landscaping stage after building work.

Contemporary Garden Design Around Bifold Doors

Bifold doors can create a major visual and physical connection with the garden.

Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores how:

• Paving

• Views

• Levels

• Planting

can align with the opening.

Contemporary Garden Design Around Sliding Doors

For large sliding doors, see Garden Design Around Sliding Doors.

Wide glazing can influence the geometry of the garden significantly.

Indoor-Outdoor Contemporary Garden Design

Contemporary architecture often aims to blur the boundary between inside and outside.

Our Garden Design for Indoor Outdoor Living page explores how:

• Thresholds

• Materials

• Views

• Outdoor rooms

can reinforce that relationship.

Seamless Transition From House to Garden

For more detail on the physical transition, see Seamless Transition House to Garden.

A successful transition may use:

• Aligned paving

• Similar colour palettes

• Continuous sightlines

• Controlled level changes.

Contemporary Patio Design

The patio often forms a major architectural element in a contemporary garden.

Its design should consider:

• Proportion

• Furniture

• Circulation

• Views

• Relationship to the house.

Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores a wider range of patio approaches.

Contemporary Patio Outside Bifold Doors

Our Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors page explores how paving:

• Module

• Alignment

• Levels

• Drainage

can reinforce the connection to the interior.

Porcelain Paving in Contemporary Gardens

Porcelain is frequently used because it can provide:

• Clean lines

• Consistent dimensions

• Contemporary finishes.

But the material alone does not make the garden successful.

Quality depends equally on:

• Layout

• Proportion

• Cutting

• Edging

• Drainage

• Installation.

Natural Stone in Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary gardens do not need to use exclusively manufactured materials.

Natural stone can work particularly well when used in:

• Simple large-scale layouts

• Restrained palettes

• Strong architectural compositions.

The design language matters more than whether the material is traditional or contemporary.

Contemporary Garden Levels

Changes in level can be used to create:

• Dining terraces

• Sunken areas

• Raised planting

• Distinct zones.

Our Garden Levelling page explores the wider implications of altering garden levels.

Contemporary Sloping Garden Design

A sloping garden can become a strong contemporary landscape through:

• Terracing

• Retaining walls

• Wide steps

• Architectural planting.

Our Sloping Gardens page explores the overall design approach.

For particularly challenging slopes, see Landscaping a Steep Garden.

Contemporary Garden Terracing

Terraces can create a sequence of:

• Outdoor rooms

• Planting zones

• Viewing areas.

Our Garden Terracing page explores how these level changes can be structured.

Contemporary Retaining Walls

Retaining walls can become part of the architecture of the garden.

They may use:

• Render

• Masonry

• Timber

• Steel

• Stone.

Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores their structural role.

Contemporary Garden Walls

Walls can also be used simply to:

• Frame space

• Create enclosure

• Provide seating

• Form raised beds.

Our Garden Wall Ideas page explores their design potential.

Contemporary Garden Steps

Steps can be an important visual element.

They may be:

• Wide

• Floating in appearance

• Integrated into retaining walls

• Aligned with key views.

Our Garden Steps page explores construction, while Garden Steps Ideas provides wider inspiration.

Level Access in Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary gardens often aim for a clean transition between internal and external spaces.

Where step-free access is required, our Level Access from House to Garden page explores the relationship between:

• Thresholds

• External levels

• Drainage.

Accessible Contemporary Garden Design

Accessible design does not need to look institutional.

Our Accessible Garden Design page explores how:

• Routes

• Gradients

• Seating

• Planting

can be incorporated discreetly into a high-quality landscape.

For wheelchair-specific requirements, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.

Contemporary Outdoor Living

Outdoor living is central to many contemporary gardens.

The landscape may need to support:

• Dining

• Relaxation

• Cooking

• Entertaining.

Our Creating an Outdoor Living Space page explores how these functions can be combined.

Outdoor Living Garden Design

For a more design-led exploration, see Outdoor Living Garden Design.

The objective is to make outdoor living integral to the landscape rather than bolt furniture and equipment onto an existing patio.

Contemporary Outdoor Rooms

Pergolas, planting and screens can define distinct rooms within the garden.

Our Creating an Outdoor Room page explores this concept.

Contemporary Garden Design for Entertaining

For clients who regularly entertain, our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores:

• Guest circulation

• Seating

• Dining

• Lighting

• Outdoor cooking.

Contemporary Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining needs more space than the dimensions of the table alone.

Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores how to plan:

• Furniture

• Chair movement

• Access

• Views.

Contemporary Gardens for Evening Entertaining

Lighting and atmosphere become particularly important once the garden is used after dark.

Our Garden Design for Evening Entertaining page explores how a garden can transition from day to night.

Contemporary Outdoor Kitchens

An outdoor kitchen can become a strong architectural feature.

But it should be integrated with:

• Dining

• Services

• Pergola

• Circulation.

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores this in detail.

For budgeting, see How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.

Contemporary Pergolas

Pergolas can provide:

• Structure

• Shade

• Shelter

• Privacy.

Our Pergola Ideas page explores a range of approaches.

For costs, see How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.

Contemporary Pergolas for Privacy

Pergolas can also address overlooking from above or from neighbouring properties.

Our Pergolas for Privacy page explores targeted solutions.

Contemporary Fire Pits

Fire features can become a visual and social focal point.

Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores how:

• Seating

• Circulation

• Planting

can be arranged around them.

Contemporary Hot Tub Design

Hot tubs are often visually dominant if added later.

Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores how to integrate:

• Screening

• Access

• Lighting

• Planting.

Contemporary Swimming Pool Gardens

For larger properties, see Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool.

The wider landscape should prevent the pool from feeling isolated from the rest of the garden.

Contemporary Water Features

Water works particularly well in contemporary gardens because it can introduce:

• Reflection

• Movement

• Sound.

Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores:

• Rills

• Reflecting pools

• Architectural water features

• Integrated designs.

Contemporary Garden Lighting

Lighting should be subtle enough to preserve atmosphere.

Typical uses include:

• Uplighting specimen trees

• Washing textured walls

• Lighting steps

• Illuminating water

• Creating pools of light around seating.

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores the subject in more detail.

Contemporary Planting Design

Planting prevents contemporary gardens from becoming overly hard or sterile.

Our Planting Design page explores how planting can be structured around:

• Form

• Repetition

• Texture

• Seasonal change.

Architectural Planting

Contemporary planting frequently uses plants with strong:

• Form

• Foliage

• Silhouette.

But architectural planting should still be combined with softer layers.

A garden containing only isolated statement plants can feel disconnected.

Ornamental Grasses

Grasses can soften:

• Paving

• Walls

• Steel

• Render.

They introduce movement and contrast effectively with geometric hard landscaping.

Perennial Planting

Contemporary gardens can also contain generous perennial planting.

Repeated blocks or drifts can provide:

• Colour

• Texture

• Seasonal change

without losing visual discipline.

Naturalistic Planting in Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary architecture can work particularly well with looser planting.

Our Naturalistic Gardens page explores how informal planting can sit within a strong structural framework.

Prairie Planting

For larger gardens, prairie-style planting can create a dramatic contrast with contemporary architecture.

Our Prairie Gardens page explores this approach.

Specimen Trees in Contemporary Gardens

Trees can provide:

• Scale

• Vertical structure

• Privacy

• Focal points.

Multi-stem trees are frequently effective where a lighter canopy and sculptural form are desired.

The correct tree should still be selected according to:

• Soil

• Space

• Aspect

• Ultimate size.

Hedging

Hedging can reinforce clean geometry and provide:

• Structure

• Screening

• Evergreen mass.

It can also create a calmer background for more expressive perennial planting.

Contemporary Soft Landscaping

Once the planting design is developed, our Soft Landscaping service can include:

• Soil preparation

• Trees

• Hedges

• Shrubs

• Perennials

• Lawns.

Contemporary Garden Privacy

Contemporary gardens often need careful privacy planning, particularly around:

• Dining

• Lounging

• Hot tubs

• Outdoor kitchens.

Our Garden Privacy page explores privacy as a whole-garden design problem.

Contemporary Design for Overlooked Gardens

Where neighbouring windows dominate the site, see Overlooked Garden.

Solutions can include:

• Trees

• Screens

• Pergolas

• Repositioned seating.

Contemporary Garden Screening

Our Garden Screening Ideas page explores both structural and planting-based screening.

Screening an Overlooking Window

If the privacy problem comes primarily from one specific window, see How to Screen an Overlooking Window.

Targeted screening may be more elegant than enclosing every boundary.

Screening a Neighbour's Extension

For neighbouring extensions, see How to Screen a Neighbour's Extension.

Contemporary Small Garden Design

Small contemporary gardens can work extremely well because a limited palette can make the space feel:

• Calm

• Ordered

• Larger.

Our Small Garden Design page explores how every element can be made to work harder.

Contemporary Courtyard Gardens

Courtyards particularly suit contemporary design because:

• Walls

• Paving

• Planting

• Lighting

can be treated as one composition.

Our Courtyard Gardens page explores these spaces in more detail.

Contemporary Medium-Sized Gardens

Medium-sized gardens often allow a strong balance between:

• Patio

• Lawn

• Planting

• Outdoor living.

A restrained layout can make the garden feel more generous.

Contemporary Large Garden Design

Large contemporary gardens require stronger scale.

Our Large Gardens page explores how:

• Long views

• Major tree planting

• Large terraces

• Multiple destinations

can be organised into a coherent masterplan.

Very Large Contemporary Gardens

For extensive sites, see Very Large Garden Design.

The challenge is to create sufficient structure without making every part of the garden feel overly designed.

Half-Acre Contemporary Gardens

Our Garden Design for Half an Acre page explores how substantial domestic plots can be organised successfully.

One-Acre Contemporary Gardens

For larger sites, see Garden Design for an Acre.

Contemporary design at this scale often benefits from a combination of:

• Formal structure near the house

• Looser landscape further away.

Contemporary Family Gardens

Contemporary does not have to mean impractical.

Our Family Garden Design page explores how:

• Play

• Lawns

• Dining

• Planting

can be integrated without compromising the design.

Contemporary Garden Design With a Trampoline

A trampoline can be incorporated more discreetly into a contemporary layout.

Our Garden Design with a Trampoline page explores options.

For more targeted solutions, see How to Hide a Trampoline in a Garden and Sunken Trampoline Ideas.

Contemporary Dog-Friendly Gardens

A contemporary garden can also be practical for dogs.

Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores how:

• Durable surfaces

• Routes

• Lawn

• Boundaries

can be designed successfully.

For plant choice, see Dog-Friendly Garden Plants.

Contemporary North-Facing Gardens

A contemporary garden does not depend on full sun.

Our North-Facing Gardens page explores how:

• Foliage

• Lighting

• Material choice

• Seating position

can respond to a shadier aspect.

Contemporary Garden Design on Clay Soil

Site conditions still matter.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores how contemporary gardens can be designed around heavy soil.

Contemporary Garden Drainage

Clean paving and level changes need a properly considered drainage strategy.

Our Garden Drainage page explores:

• Surface water

• Waterlogged soil

• Falls

• Drainage systems.

Drainage Around Contemporary Patios

Where large areas of paving meet the house, see Drainage Around Patios and Extensions.

Drainage should be resolved before the visual detailing is finalised.

Contemporary Hard Landscaping

The structural framework of a contemporary garden may include:

• Paving

• Walls

• Steps

• Raised planters

• Structures.

Our Hard Landscaping page explores these construction elements.

Contemporary Landscape Construction

The quality of a contemporary garden depends heavily on construction precision.

Straight lines and simple details often expose poor workmanship more readily than visually busy landscapes.

Our Landscape Construction page explores how designed landscapes are physically delivered.

Contemporary Garden Groundworks

Behind clean finishes may be substantial hidden construction.

Our Garden Groundworks page explores:

• Excavation

• Foundations

• Sub-bases

• Drainage.

Precision Matters

Contemporary design often relies on:

• Crisp alignments

• Consistent joints

• Accurate cuts

• Controlled levels.

A visually simple design can therefore demand a high level of workmanship.

Simplicity is not necessarily easier to construct.

Contemporary Garden Renovation

An existing garden can often be updated rather than completely rebuilt.

Our Garden Renovation page explores how:

• Mature trees

• Good walls

• Existing planting

can potentially be retained.

Contemporary Garden Remodelling

Where the layout itself needs changing, see Garden Remodelling.

A remodel may alter:

• Patios

• Levels

• Paths

• Outdoor-living areas.

Complete Contemporary Garden Transformation

Where most of the existing garden requires redesign and rebuilding, our Complete Garden Transformation page explores the whole-project approach.

Bespoke Contemporary Garden Design

Contemporary gardens should still be individual.

Our Bespoke Garden Design page explores why the design should respond to:

• Property

• Client

• Site

rather than follow a generic formula.

Complete Garden Design and Build

For clients seeking one coordinated route from design through construction, see Complete Garden Design and Build.

This can connect:

• Design

• Construction

• Planting

within one overall process.

Garden Project Management

Larger contemporary projects may involve:

• Pergola suppliers

• Outdoor-kitchen suppliers

• Electricians

• Landscapers

• Plant nurseries.

Our Garden Project Management page explores how these elements can be coordinated.

How Much Does Contemporary Garden Design Cost?

Design fees vary depending on:

• Garden size

• Complexity

• Scope

• Drawings

• Planting design.

Our How Much Does Garden Design Cost? page provides broader guidance.

How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge?

For more information on professional fee structures, see How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge?.

How Much Does a Contemporary Garden Cost to Landscape?

The landscaping budget depends far more on:

• Scale

• Groundworks

• Materials

• Structures

• Planting

than the word “contemporary”.

Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page provides broader project guidance.

Setting a Contemporary Garden Budget

Before the design is finalised, establish a realistic total budget.

Our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page explores how to prioritise investment.

A successful contemporary garden may benefit more from:

• Good proportions

• Proper groundworks

• Strong planting

than from adding every possible feature.

Contemporary Gardens With a £50,000–£100,000 Budget

For substantial projects at this investment level, see Garden Design £50,000–£100,000 Budget.

The page explores how to balance:

• Hard landscaping

• Planting

• Lighting

• Features.

Contemporary Gardens Over £100,000

For larger high-specification projects, our Garden Design £100,000+ Projects page explores the additional possibilities created by a larger project budget.

Luxury Contemporary Garden Design

Contemporary and luxury frequently overlap, particularly where the garden includes:

• Bespoke structures

• Premium paving

• Mature trees

• Outdoor kitchens

• Integrated lighting.

Our Luxury Garden Design page explores higher-end garden design more broadly.

Do I Need a Garden Designer?

A small cosmetic update may not require a full professional design.

For a substantial contemporary garden, however, design can help coordinate:

• Geometry

• Levels

• Materials

• Planting

• Lighting

• Features.

Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when professional design adds value.

What Does a Garden Designer Do?

Our What Does a Garden Designer Do? page explores the role in more detail.

It is not simply choosing:

• Plants

• Paving colours.

It can involve the entire spatial and technical concept.

How to Choose a Contemporary Garden Designer

Look beyond whether the designer has photographs containing:

• Porcelain

• Pergolas

• Outdoor kitchens.

Instead, ask whether their portfolio demonstrates:

• Strong spatial planning

• Good relationship with architecture

• Planting quality

• Attention to detail

• Appropriate variety between projects.

A good contemporary designer should not produce the same garden repeatedly.

Questions to Ask a Garden Designer

Before appointing a designer, ask about:

• Design process

• Drawings

• Budget

• Planting design

• Construction involvement.

Our Questions to Ask a Garden Designer page provides a detailed checklist.

How to Choose a Landscaping Company

Construction quality is particularly important in contemporary landscapes.

Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page explores how to evaluate:

• Portfolio

• Quotations

• Organisation

• Workmanship.

Questions to Ask a Landscaper

For a detailed pre-appointment checklist, see Questions to Ask a Landscaper.

Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper

Contemporary gardens can quickly lose their quality if details are poorly executed.

Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores common red flags.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Many ordinary garden-design projects may not require a separate planning application.

However, some work involving:

• Structures

• Significant level changes

• Boundaries

• Listed properties

• Protected trees

may require additional consideration.

Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page provides a broader guide.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?

Contemporary projects can require time for:

• Survey

• Design

• Material selection

• Drawings

• Pricing.

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer? page explores when to begin.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?

For the construction stage, see How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?.

Major garden projects should generally be planned well before the preferred completion date.

Contemporary Garden Design in North West England

Contemporary gardens in North West England need to work with the local environment rather than simply copy designs created for a different climate.

Important considerations can include:

• Rainfall

• Heavy soil

• Drainage

• Wind exposure

• Winter appearance.

A successful contemporary garden should remain convincing in:

January as well as July.

Contemporary Garden Design in Lancashire

Lancashire contains an enormous range of properties, from:

• Urban houses

• Period homes

• Rural properties

• Large country gardens.

Contemporary design should respond differently to each.

Contemporary Garden Design in Cheshire

Cheshire projects frequently involve:

• Extensions

• Large glazed openings

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pergolas

• High-quality paving.

The challenge is to make these features part of one landscape rather than separate purchases.

Contemporary Garden Design in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester gardens may have greater pressure from:

• Overlooking

• Limited space

• Adjacent properties.

A contemporary design can use:

• Screens

• Trees

• Pergolas

• Carefully positioned seating

to create stronger privacy.

Contemporary Garden Design in Merseyside

Merseyside includes:

• Urban gardens

• Period properties

• Coastal environments.

Materials and planting should respond to the particular site.

Contemporary Garden Design in the Ribble Valley

The Ribble Valley can require a different contemporary language from a dense urban garden.

A successful design may combine:

• Clean terraces around the house

• Architectural planting

• Looser landscape further away

• Views towards the surrounding countryside.

This can create a contemporary garden without losing connection with the rural setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is contemporary garden design?

Contemporary garden design uses current approaches to layout, materials, planting and outdoor living to create a landscape suited to the property and the way it is used today.

Is contemporary garden design the same as modern garden design?

They overlap, but contemporary design can be broader and more flexible. Modern garden design often implies stronger geometric or minimalist principles.

Does a contemporary garden need porcelain paving?

No. Porcelain is popular, but natural stone, timber, gravel, steel and other materials can all be used successfully.

Do contemporary gardens need to be minimalist?

No. Contemporary gardens can contain generous planting and considerable seasonal interest.

Can a contemporary garden have lots of plants?

Yes. Strong planting often prevents contemporary gardens from becoming visually hard.

Can contemporary gardens work with period houses?

Yes. Contemporary landscape design can work successfully with older architecture when materials, proportions and detailing are carefully considered.

Can you design a contemporary garden for a new build?

Yes. See New-Build Gardens.

Can contemporary garden design improve privacy?

Yes. Layout, trees, planting, screens and pergolas can all contribute.

Can contemporary gardens work on slopes?

Yes. Terracing, retaining walls and steps can create particularly strong architectural landscapes.

Can contemporary gardens be accessible?

Yes. Accessible routes and levels can be integrated into the design without compromising its appearance.

Can a contemporary garden include an outdoor kitchen?

Yes. It should ideally be designed as part of the wider outdoor-living layout.

Can it include a pergola?

Yes.

Can it include a fire pit?

Yes.

Can it include a hot tub?

Yes.

Can it include a water feature?

Yes.

Can you design garden lighting as part of the project?

Yes. Lighting is best considered before construction so that infrastructure can be incorporated cleanly.

Does contemporary garden design include planting design?

It can. See Planting Design.

Can you build the garden as well as design it?

For appropriate projects, design can continue into construction through Complete Garden Design and Build.

How much does contemporary garden design cost?

Design fees depend on size, complexity and scope. See How Much Does Garden Design Cost?.

How much does a contemporary garden cost to build?

Construction cost depends primarily on garden size, access, groundworks, specification, planting and features. See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

Is contemporary garden design suitable for North West England?

Yes. The design should simply respond appropriately to local rainfall, soil, drainage, exposure and seasonal conditions.

The Best Contemporary Gardens Are Not Defined by Fashion

Contemporary garden design can easily become a checklist of fashionable features:

porcelain paving

black pergola

outdoor kitchen

feature wall

architectural lighting.

Those things can all form part of an excellent garden.

But individually, they do not create one.

A successful contemporary landscape depends on the relationships between them.

The:

paving should relate to the architecture

spaces should be proportioned around how they are used

planting should soften and structure the hard landscape

lighting should reveal rather than overwhelm

materials should form a coherent palette

garden should still work in winter

design should belong to the site.

At Kirman Design, our approach to contemporary garden design combines:

architecture + spatial planning + landscape construction + planting + outdoor living.

The aim is not to make every garden look the same.

It is to create a contemporary landscape that feels specifically designed for the property and the people who live there.

If you are looking for contemporary garden design in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, Kirman Design can develop the project from initial consultation and design through detailed planning, landscape construction and planting.