Garden Design for Contemporary Houses

Contemporary houses often create exceptional opportunities for garden design.

Large areas of glazing, open-plan interiors, clean architectural lines and strong relationships with outside space can allow the garden to become an extension of the architecture rather than simply something viewed beyond it.

But a contemporary house does not automatically require a stark or minimal garden.

Successful contemporary garden design can combine:

• Strong geometry

• Generous planting

• Specimen trees

• Outdoor dining

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pergolas

• Water

• Fire

• Garden lighting

• Naturalistic planting

• Carefully considered materials.

The objective is not to create a garden that looks fashionable.

It is to create a landscape that feels architecturally connected, comfortable to live in and appropriate to the property.

Kirman Design creates bespoke gardens for contemporary houses throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

Start With the Architecture

The house should be one of the main starting points for the landscape.

Study:

• Building geometry

• Window positions

• Doors

• Rooflines

• Materials

• Architectural projections

• Views

• Internal floor plan

• External levels.

These can help establish the underlying structure of the garden.

Our Contemporary Garden Ideas page explores the wider principles behind contemporary landscape design.

A Contemporary Garden Is Not Simply a Modern-Looking Garden

Contemporary garden design is often misunderstood as a checklist of:

• Grey porcelain

• Rendered walls

• Ornamental grasses

• Aluminium pergola

• Outdoor kitchen.

Those things may all have a place.

But they do not automatically create good design.

The stronger question is:

How should the garden respond to the architecture and the people living in the house?

Contemporary Versus Modern Garden Design

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there can be a useful distinction.

Modern garden design often suggests:

• Simplicity

• Clean geometry

• Architectural structure.

Contemporary garden design can be broader and more responsive to current approaches in:

• Planting

• Materials

• Outdoor living

• Sustainability

• Architecture.

Our Modern Garden Ideas page explores the related but slightly different design language.

Garden Design for Modern Homes

For broader guidance on newer and architecturally modern properties, see our Garden Design for Modern Homes page.

This page focuses specifically on contemporary architecture and how the garden can respond to its proportions, glazing and lifestyle opportunities.

Let Architectural Lines Influence the Garden

Contemporary architecture often has particularly strong:

• Horizontal lines

• Vertical alignments

• Window centres

• Structural bays

• Building edges.

These can influence:

• Patio edges

• Paths

• Planting beds

• Water features

• Steps

• Walls.

However, avoid extending every line mechanically.

Good landscape design selects the architectural relationships that create the strongest composition.

Strong Geometry Does Not Mean Everything Has to Be Rectangular

A contemporary garden can use:

• Straight lines

• Curves

• Organic planting

• Informal tree placement.

The key is clarity.

A strong architectural framework can be softened significantly by planting.

This contrast often produces a more sophisticated garden than rigid geometry throughout.

Views From Inside the House

Contemporary houses often contain large windows and glazed doors.

This means the garden may be visible throughout the day, even when nobody is outside.

The landscape should therefore be designed from:

• Kitchen

• Dining area

• Living room

• Hallway

• Bedrooms.

Our Indoor Outdoor Garden Design page explores how internal and external spaces can be designed as one visual composition.

Design the Garden From the Sofa

One useful test is to sit in the main internal living spaces and ask:

• What do I see?

• Where does the eye stop?

• Is there depth?

• Is there planting close to the glass?

• Is there something interesting beyond the terrace?

A contemporary garden should work as a view as well as a physical space.

Bifold Doors

Many contemporary houses incorporate bifold doors.

Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores how the landscape can respond to:

• Large openings

• Thresholds

• Patio levels

• Furniture

• Views.

Do not automatically place a large rectangle of paving across the full width of the doors.

Sliding Doors

Large sliding doors can create an even stronger panoramic relationship with the garden.

Our Garden Design Around Sliding Doors page explores how:

• Planting

• Paving

• Focal points

• Trees

can be composed around large glazed elevations.

Creating a Seamless Transition From House to Garden

A seamless transition does not require identical flooring inside and outside.

It can be created through:

• Aligned levels

• Sightlines

• Complementary materials

• Repeated colours

• Planting close to the house

• Controlled thresholds.

Our Creating a Seamless Transition from House to Garden page explores this in detail.

Patio Design for Contemporary Houses

The main terrace should be designed around its function.

It may need to accommodate:

• Dining

• Lounge seating

• Outdoor cooking

• Circulation

• Planting.

Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores how size, shape and position affect the wider garden.

A contemporary terrace does not need to occupy the entire width of the property.

Patio Design Outside Large Glazed Doors

A common mistake is allowing the paving to dominate.

Large doors do not automatically require large expanses of hard landscaping.

Planting can often be brought close to the house to create:

• Depth

• Softness

• Seasonal change.

Our Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors page explores this specific relationship.

Porcelain Paving

Porcelain can work extremely well around contemporary architecture.

It can provide:

• Precision

• Consistency

• Clean detailing

• Large formats.

But porcelain should not automatically dominate the landscape.

Its success depends on:

• Colour

• Format

• Jointing

• Edge detail

• Relationship with planting.

Natural Stone in Contemporary Gardens

Natural stone can also work beautifully.

It can add:

• Texture

• Variation

• Warmth.

This can create an effective contrast with crisp architectural elevations.

Contemporary does not mean every material needs to be visually perfect.

Brick in Contemporary Garden Design

Brick can provide:

• Texture

• Warmth

• Pattern

• Connection with architecture.

It can be particularly effective where the house itself includes brickwork.

Used carefully, brick can prevent a contemporary landscape from becoming too cold.

Gravel

Gravel can soften the transition between:

• Paving

• Planting

• Paths

• Trees.

It can be particularly useful for secondary areas where full hard landscaping is unnecessary.

Material Restraint

One of the strongest principles in contemporary garden design is restraint.

Too many materials can weaken the landscape.

A controlled palette might include:

• One principal paving material

• One secondary material

• One wall treatment

• Timber or metal accents.

Planting can then provide much of the visual variation.

Garden Walls

Walls can provide:

• Structure

• Seating

• Level management

• Raised planting

• Screening.

Our Garden Wall Ideas page explores the different roles garden walls can play.

Contemporary walls should be designed as part of the composition rather than added simply to create features.

Retaining Walls

Contemporary houses can sit on complicated sites.

Where levels change, retaining walls may be required.

Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores:

• Structural considerations

• Drainage

• Materials

• Landscape integration.

Raised Planters

Raised planters can provide useful architectural structure.

They may:

• Define patios

• Manage level changes

• Introduce planting close to seating

• Integrate benches.

Our Raised Planter Construction page explores how raised planting can be properly integrated.

Planting Is Essential in Contemporary Gardens

A contemporary garden should not become an exercise in hard landscaping.

Planting is what prevents the landscape from feeling like an external showroom.

Our Garden Planting Ideas page explores how planting can provide:

• Texture

• Movement

• Seasonal change

• Scale

• Atmosphere.

Architectural Planting

Architectural planting can complement strong contemporary buildings.

This might include:

• Multi-stem trees

• Evergreen forms

• Grasses

• Large foliage

• Sculptural shrubs.

But avoid creating a garden entirely from individual feature plants.

Planting works best as a composition.

Naturalistic Planting Around Contemporary Houses

Naturalistic planting can create an excellent contrast with precise architecture.

The combination of:

clean structure + looser planting

can make both elements stronger.

Grasses and perennials can introduce:

• Movement

• Seasonal change

• Wildlife value.

Deep Planting Beds

Narrow strips of planting against large contemporary buildings often look under-scaled.

Deeper borders allow:

• Trees

• Shrubs

• Perennials

• Groundcover

to create stronger layers.

Repetition

Repetition is particularly effective in contemporary landscapes.

Repeating:

• Key plants

• Trees

• Materials

• Forms

can create visual rhythm without becoming monotonous.

Trees Around Contemporary Houses

Trees can help balance the scale of modern architecture.

They provide:

• Height

• Privacy

• Shade

• Seasonal interest

• Maturity.

They can also soften large elevations.

Specimen Trees

A well-positioned specimen tree can become an important architectural counterpoint.

It may be used:

• At the end of a view

• Within a terrace

• Beyond a window

• As a focal point.

Position is more important than simply selecting an expensive tree.

Multi-Stem Trees

Multi-stem trees can work exceptionally well with contemporary architecture.

They offer:

• Filtered privacy

• Layered foliage

• Strong silhouettes

• Movement.

They can also sit relatively close to large glazed elevations to create depth from inside the house.

Privacy Around Contemporary Houses

Large windows can create excellent views out but also increase the feeling of exposure.

Privacy may therefore need to be designed carefully.

Our Garden Privacy Ideas page explores how to create privacy without enclosing the entire garden.

Screen the View, Not Necessarily the Boundary

Instead of increasing every boundary, identify:

• Where people sit

• Which window overlooks the garden

• At what angle the sightline occurs.

Then consider:

• Trees

• Internal screens

• Pergolas

• Layered planting.

Our Garden Screening Ideas page explores this approach.

Pergolas for Contemporary Houses

Pergolas can work especially well with contemporary architecture.

They can create:

• Shade

• Shelter

• Privacy

• Outdoor dining

• Architectural definition.

Our Pergola Ideas page explores how pergolas should have a clear purpose.

Outdoor Living

Contemporary homes often lend themselves naturally to outdoor living.

Our Outdoor Living Garden Design page explores how landscapes can integrate:

• Cooking

• Dining

• Lounging

• Lighting

• Fire

• Shelter.

The objective should be to make the garden feel like an extension of the house without simply turning it into another room.

Creating an Outdoor Room

Outdoor rooms can create more intimate areas within larger contemporary gardens.

Our Creating an Outdoor Room page explores how:

• Planting

• Screens

• Paving

• Pergolas

• Furniture

can define a space.

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens work naturally with contemporary architecture.

But they need to be planned into the garden.

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores:

• Position

• Kitchen access

• Dining

• Services

• Circulation

• Shelter.

The kitchen should belong to the landscape rather than simply occupy the edge of a patio.

Outdoor Dining

A successful dining area should consider:

• Table size

• Number of seats

• Kitchen access

• Sun

• Shade

• Wind.

Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores these factors in more detail.

Designing for Entertaining

Contemporary houses often feature large open-plan living spaces intended for entertaining.

The garden can continue this approach.

Our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores how:

• Dining

• Cooking

• Lounge seating

• Lighting

• Circulation

can work together.

Evening Entertaining

A contemporary garden should often be designed for night as well as day.

Our Garden Design for Evening Entertaining page explores how:

• Lighting

• Shelter

• Fire

• Privacy

• Views

can create a better after-dark experience.

Garden Lighting

Lighting is particularly important where large windows create views into the garden after dark.

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores layered lighting.

Rather than seeing:

bright terrace → black garden

consider:

• Foreground

• Middle distance

• Background.

Use Darkness

Contemporary garden lighting should not mean lighting every:

• Wall

• Step

• Tree

• Plant.

Darkness creates:

• Contrast

• Depth

• Atmosphere.

The objective is not to make the garden brighter.

It is to make it better after dark.

Water Features

Water can work exceptionally well with contemporary architecture.

Options include:

• Reflecting pools

• Rills

• Water walls

• Ponds.

Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores how water can provide:

• Reflection

• Movement

• Sound

• Wildlife.

Reflecting Pools

A simple reflecting pool can work particularly well where it reflects:

• Architecture

• Sky

• Trees

• Planting.

The simplicity of the water can provide visual calm.

Fire Features

Fire can provide warmth and a focal point.

Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores how seating, views, circulation and planting should be designed around the experience.

Hot Tubs

A hot tub can be integrated successfully within a contemporary garden.

Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores:

• Privacy

• Access

• Drainage

• Planting

• Lighting.

Avoid simply placing the hot tub in the middle of an exposed patio.

Swimming Pools

Contemporary houses can provide a strong architectural setting for swimming pools.

Our Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool page explores how:

• Pool

• Terrace

• House

• Planting

• Outdoor living

can be composed together.

The objective should be a garden with a pool, not a pool with landscaping around it.

Paths

Paths help determine how people move through the landscape.

Our Garden Path Ideas page explores how routes can:

• Frame views

• Create hierarchy

• Connect destinations.

Contemporary paths can be strong and architectural near the house, becoming more informal further away.

Garden Steps

Steps should be designed deliberately.

Our Garden Steps page explores how:

• Width

• Rise

• Materials

• Landings

• Planting

affect both comfort and appearance.

Garden Levels

Modern architecture often creates an expectation of smooth indoor-outdoor transitions.

But external levels still need to work technically.

Our Garden Levelling page explains why level strategy should consider:

• Drainage

• Thresholds

• Existing ground

• Wider garden.

Drainage Around Contemporary Houses

Large areas of paving and large roof surfaces can create significant surface-water issues.

Drainage should be considered from the beginning.

Our Garden Drainage Installation page explores the importance of understanding:

• Where water originates

• How it moves

• Where it can safely go.

Sloping Contemporary Gardens

A slope does not prevent contemporary design.

Our Sloping Garden Ideas page explores how:

• Terraces

• Walls

• Steps

• Planting

can make level changes part of the architecture of the garden.

Garden Terracing

Terraces can create a sequence of usable spaces.

Our Garden Terracing page explores how levels can be connected without making the garden feel like a series of platforms.

North-Facing Contemporary Gardens

Large contemporary windows can make garden orientation particularly noticeable.

Our North-Facing Gardens page explores:

• Shade

• Planting

• Patio positioning

• Secondary seating

• Lighting.

A north-facing garden does not need to be treated as a problem to disguise.

Lawns

A lawn can provide useful calm within contemporary design.

Its simplicity can contrast with:

• Architecture

• Planting

• Trees.

But avoid automatically creating a large rectangle simply because space is available.

Contemporary Gardens Without Lawns

Many contemporary gardens work exceptionally well without lawn.

The landscape may instead use:

• Deep planting

• Gravel

• Trees

• Paths

• Terraces.

This can create a stronger composition and reduce maintenance where appropriate.

Low-Maintenance Contemporary Garden Design

Low maintenance should not mean:

• Artificial grass

• Endless paving

• Almost no plants.

Instead, use:

• Strong structural planting

• Larger plant groups

• Groundcover

• Appropriate materials.

The aim is to reduce unnecessary maintenance without stripping the garden of life.

Wildlife-Friendly Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary design and wildlife value are entirely compatible.

A garden can combine:

• Architectural structure

• Native or wildlife-friendly planting

• Pollinator plants

• Trees

• Water.

A wildlife-friendly garden does not need to look untidy.

Small Contemporary Gardens

Small contemporary gardens benefit from restraint.

Our Small Garden Design page explores how:

• Proportion

• Multi-use spaces

• Planting

• Privacy

can create a stronger result than trying to fit every possible feature into the garden.

Medium-Sized Contemporary Gardens

Medium gardens can often support:

• Main terrace

• Lawn

• Planting

• Secondary seating.

Our Medium Sized Garden Design page explores how these elements can be balanced without fragmentation.

Large Contemporary Gardens

Large contemporary properties need hierarchy.

Our Large Garden Design page explores how to organise:

• Main terraces

• Planting

• Trees

• Lawns

• Outdoor living

• Secondary destinations.

Our Large Garden Ideas page provides additional inspiration.

Wide Contemporary Gardens

Wide plots can lack depth if everything is arranged parallel to the house.

Our Wide Garden Design page explores how:

• Trees

• Layered planting

• Diagonal views

• Destinations

can create a stronger sense of depth.

Long Contemporary Gardens

Long plots can become corridors.

Our Long Narrow Garden Design page explores how:

• Cross-garden lines

• Partial screening

• Changing widths

• Destinations

can make length an advantage.

Contemporary Houses in Rural Settings

A contemporary rural home needs to respond to the surrounding landscape.

Our Garden Design for Rural Properties page explores how:

• Trees

• Meadow

• Native hedging

• Landscape views

can soften the transition between contemporary architecture and countryside.

Contemporary Country Houses

Some modern homes combine contemporary architecture with substantial rural plots.

Our Garden Design for Country Houses page explores how formal and architectural areas near the house can gradually transition into:

• Meadow

• Orchard

• Woodland

• Wider countryside.

New-Build Contemporary Houses

A newly built house provides the opportunity to consider the garden at the same time as the architecture.

Our Garden Design for New Build Homes page explores:

• Levels

• Drainage

• Construction damage

• Privacy

• Immature planting.

Early landscape planning can prevent common problems being built into the site.

Contemporary Houses With New Extensions

Where a contemporary extension is being added to an existing house, the garden can help unite old and new.

Our Garden Design for New Extensions page explains why early garden-design involvement can help coordinate:

• Doors

• External levels

• Drainage

• Terraces

• Views.

Planning Permission

Many ordinary landscaping works may not require planning permission, but individual elements can.

These might include:

• Certain structures

• Raised decking

• Significant level changes

• Boundary alterations.

Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page explains the main considerations in England.

Do I Need Garden Design Drawings?

For a substantial contemporary project, coordinated drawings can be particularly valuable.

They may include:

• Masterplan

• Setting-out

• Levels

• Materials

• Construction details

• Planting

• Lighting.

Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains when these drawings are useful.

Detail Matters

Contemporary design can be unforgiving.

Where the design relies on:

• Alignment

• Clean junctions

• Precise paving

• Repeated geometry

poor construction becomes especially visible.

This makes technical design and skilled landscape construction particularly important.

How Much Does Contemporary Garden Design Cost?

Design fees depend on:

• Garden size

• Complexity

• Scope

• Required drawings

• Planting

• Technical detail.

Our Garden Design Cost page explains the main factors influencing design fees.

How Much Does Contemporary Landscaping Cost?

There is no single price for a contemporary garden.

Cost depends on:

• Groundworks

• Access

• Levels

• Drainage

• Paving

• Walls

• Planting

• Trees

• Structures.

Our Landscaping Cost page explains the principal project cost drivers.

For complete projects, our Garden Transformation Cost page explores whole-garden budgeting.

Luxury Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary properties can lend themselves to higher-specification landscapes incorporating:

• Mature trees

• Bespoke structures

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pools

• Water

• Lighting.

Our Luxury Outdoor Living page explores how these elements can be integrated into a coherent landscape rather than treated as a shopping list.

For broader budgeting, see Luxury Garden Cost.

Should I Use a Garden Designer?

Professional design can be especially valuable where a contemporary house has:

• Strong architecture

• Large areas of glazing

• Complex levels

• Extensive outdoor living.

Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when design input adds the greatest value.

Choosing a Garden Designer for a Contemporary House

Look for someone who understands more than modern materials.

The designer should understand:

• Architecture

• Spatial planning

• Planting

• Levels

• Construction

• Views

• Outdoor living.

Our How to Choose a Garden Designer page explains what to compare.

Questions to Ask Your Garden Designer

Useful questions include:

• How will the garden relate to the architecture?

• How will the views from inside be considered?

• What drawings will be produced?

• How are levels and drainage handled?

• How will planting soften the architecture?

• How will construction accuracy be controlled?

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

Preparing for a Garden Design Consultation

Useful information includes:

• Architectural drawings

• Floor plans

• Surveys

• Extension plans

• Inspiration

• Budget

• Priorities.

Our How to Prepare for a Garden Design Consultation page provides a complete guide.

You can also read What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation? to understand what the designer is likely to assess and discuss.

What Information Will the Designer Need?

Provide information about:

• House

• Site

• Levels

• Services

• Drainage

• Budget

• Future plans.

Our What Information Does a Garden Designer Need? page provides a detailed checklist.

When Should I Involve the Garden Designer?

Ideally, early.

Where the house is:

• Being built

• Extended

• Renovated

the garden designer may be able to help coordinate:

• External levels

• Drainage

• Door thresholds

• Services

• Terraces.

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer? page explains how design fits into the wider programme.

Landscape Construction

Contemporary landscapes often require precise construction.

The work may include:

• Excavation

• Groundworks

• Drainage

• Paving

• Walls

• Steps

• Electrical infrastructure.

Our Landscape Construction and Garden Groundworks pages explain why the hidden construction beneath the finished garden matters.

Choosing a Landscaper

A contemporary design can be compromised quickly by inaccurate construction.

Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page explains what to look for when comparing contractors.

Our Questions to Ask a Landscaper page provides a detailed appointment checklist.

Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper

Contemporary gardens particularly expose:

• Poor paving alignment

• Weak detailing

• Bad falls

• Inaccurate walls

• Poor drainage.

Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores the broader warning signs to look for.

Complete Garden Design and Build

A coordinated approach can help protect the relationship between:

• Architecture

• Design

• Materials

• Construction

• Planting.

Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explains how a landscape can be managed from design through construction.

Contemporary House Garden Design in North West England

Contemporary homes across North West England range from:

• New-build houses

• Architect-designed homes

• Contemporary extensions

• Modern rural properties

• Large detached homes.

The landscape needs to respond to both architecture and local conditions.

These may include:

• High rainfall

• Heavy clay

• Sloping sites

• Wind

• Drainage

• Mature boundaries.

Contemporary Garden Design in Lancashire

Lancashire contemporary homes can range from urban properties to large rural houses.

Gardens may need to respond to:

• Clay soils

• Rainfall

• Slopes

• Exposure

• Countryside views.

The landscape should combine architectural confidence with practical site understanding.

Contemporary Garden Design in Cheshire

Cheshire contains many substantial contemporary homes and extensively renovated properties.

These gardens can support:

• Outdoor kitchens

• Large terraces

• Mature planting

• Pergolas

• Lighting

• Pools.

The key is to create coherence rather than simply add high-value features.

Contemporary Garden Design in Greater Manchester

Contemporary homes in Greater Manchester may need to address:

• Privacy

• Restricted plots

• Neighbouring windows

• Extensions

• Limited access.

Targeted planting and screening can provide privacy while keeping the garden open.

Contemporary Garden Design in Merseyside

More exposed contemporary properties may require careful consideration of:

• Wind

• Shelter

• Planting

• Outdoor-living positions.

The best view is not always the most comfortable place for a terrace.

Contemporary Garden Design in the Ribble Valley

Contemporary architecture can work exceptionally well within the Ribble Valley landscape.

The garden may need to balance:

• Architectural geometry

• Mature trees

• Naturalistic planting

• Open countryside views.

The strongest schemes often become progressively softer as they move away from the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of garden suits a contemporary house?

Contemporary houses can work with architectural, naturalistic, minimal, plant-rich and outdoor-living-focused gardens. The design should respond to the particular architecture rather than a predetermined style.

Does a contemporary garden have to be minimal?

No. Contemporary gardens can contain generous, naturalistic planting and still retain strong architectural structure.

Does contemporary garden design mean grey porcelain?

No. Porcelain is only one possible material. Natural stone, brick, gravel, timber and metal can all work within contemporary landscapes.

Can I use natural stone with a contemporary house?

Yes. Its texture can create a particularly attractive contrast with precise modern architecture.

Should the patio run across the whole house?

Not necessarily. It should be designed around use, furniture, planting and views.

How do I connect large sliding doors with the garden?

Use coordinated levels, sightlines, paving and planting. See our Garden Design Around Sliding Doors page.

How can I make the garden feel connected to the house?

Consider views from inside, external levels, architectural alignments, materials and planting close to the building. See Indoor Outdoor Garden Design.

Can I have an outdoor kitchen?

Yes. It should be integrated into the wider terrace and landscape. See Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen.

Can I have a pergola?

Yes. Pergolas can work particularly well with contemporary architecture when their purpose and position are clear.

What plants suit contemporary houses?

There is no fixed list. Trees, structural shrubs, grasses, perennials and large-foliage plants can all work depending on conditions and design intent.

Are multi-stem trees suitable?

Yes. They can provide excellent filtered privacy and architectural form.

Can a contemporary garden be wildlife friendly?

Yes. Contemporary landscape structure can be combined with diverse planting, water, trees and habitat.

Can a contemporary garden be low maintenance?

Yes. Use strong structure, appropriate planting and carefully selected materials rather than simply replacing planting with paving.

How do I create privacy around large windows?

Use targeted trees, layered planting, internal screens and pergolas rather than automatically increasing every boundary. See Garden Privacy Ideas.

What lighting works in a contemporary garden?

Layered, restrained lighting usually works best. See our Garden Lighting Ideas page.

Do I need drainage under a new patio?

Drainage requirements depend on the site, levels and construction. Surface water should be considered as part of the design rather than after paving has been installed. See Garden Drainage Installation.

Do I need garden design drawings?

For substantial projects, coordinated drawings can be extremely useful for layout, levels, materials and construction. See Do I Need Drawings for My Garden?.

How much does contemporary garden design cost?

Design fees depend on scale, complexity and required information. See our Garden Design Cost page.

How much does a contemporary garden cost to landscape?

It depends on construction, materials, access, levels, planting and features. See our Landscaping Cost guide.

Should I employ a garden designer?

Professional design can be particularly valuable where strong architecture, large glazing, outdoor living and detailed construction all need to be coordinated. See Do I Need a Garden Designer?.

When should I involve a garden designer?

Ideally before major architectural or landscaping decisions become fixed. See How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?.

Does Kirman Design design gardens for contemporary houses?

Yes. Kirman Design creates bespoke garden designs and landscapes for contemporary homes throughout North West England.

A Contemporary House Deserves More Than a Collection of Contemporary Products

A contemporary garden should not be defined by whether it contains:

• Porcelain paving

• An aluminium pergola

• A fire pit

• An outdoor kitchen

• Ornamental grasses.

Those elements may all form part of the solution.

But the design should begin much earlier.

Ask:

How does the architecture meet the land?

What do we see through the windows?

Where should planting come close to the house?

Where should people dine?

Where should they sit in the evening?

Which areas need privacy?

How should water move across the site?

Where should the main views terminate?

Which parts of the garden should be architectural?

And where should the planting become softer and more natural?

The strongest contemporary landscapes often combine:

precision + softness

architecture + planting

indoor living + outdoor living

strong geometry + natural movement.

The result should not merely look contemporary.

It should feel as though the house and landscape were conceived as parts of the same place.

If you own a contemporary property in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere in North West England, contact Kirman Design to discuss a bespoke garden design and landscape construction project tailored to your architecture, site and lifestyle.