A well-maintained and great-looking gardens can significantly increase the overall value of your home. It also provides you with the perfect place to relax after a long day at work. If you have kids, your garden is also a great place for them to play and have fun. Indeed, having a garden brings so many benefits to one’s home.
There is one problem though. No matter what, people can’t seem to get contentment with how their gardens look. And it’s not a bad thing. The problem lies in finding ideas to make your garden look more beautiful than ever.
If you currently have this dilemma, worry not because this is exactly what this guide is for. Here are ten modern garden ideas with pictures to get you started on your next gardening project.
Stick with native plants
When talking about modern gardens, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to opt for exotic plants. In fact, it should be the other way around. After all, a modern garden doesn’t have to rely on foreign plants to be truly ‘modern’. For example, try mixing textures and combining different garden ideas and elements. It’s about mixing elements such as texture, depth, arrangement, etc.
So choose native plants as they are better for the environment than their exotic counterparts. If you’re still not convinced, here are some of their benefits aside from making your garden look nice and natural.
- They require very little maintenance as they’re adjusted to your location.
- Native plants are healthier for you and your family since you don’t need to use chemicals like fertilizers as often as you would on exotic plants.
- You conserve water since native plants are already well-adapted to the local environmental conditions.
- Many species of native plants provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Artificial grass may just be what you’re looking for
Artificial grass is made of synthetic materials to resemble the real version. In the past, it was initially used in sports stadiums, and after many years has become closely similar to real grass. Best of all, it’s now a great addition to many modern gardens.
Synthetic grass is ideal for someone who wants to have a garden but doesn’t have the luxury of time to maintain it. Older adults will also benefit a lot from installing it since it requires very little to no maintenance.
And if you’re worried about your lawn being ‘fake’, don’t worry. You can always add real plants like this garden in the picture.
Paint your walls white
Small, cramped space has always been one of the most common issues gardeners have. It seems that whatever you do and no matter how you decorate your garden, you just can’t seem to have enough space for everything.
If that’s the case, consider painting your outdoor walls white. This, together with a minimalistic style, will make any small space look bigger. If it works on your interior, it will also work on your exterior.
Make sure that you use low or no VOC products. These are environmentally friendly as they don’t release the same amount of fumes normal paints and stains do. When used indoors, these fumes can cause headaches and nausea, but sitting next to a painted wall on a calm day could have the same effects.
Consider container gardening
One of the most common mistakes gardeners make, especially beginners, is not knowing that some plants need to be isolated. This is so true when it comes to invasive plants. If possible, avoid growing these species at all.
If not and you insist on doing so, consider placing them in containers. This way, your other plants will be safe, and you won’t get yourself in trouble come next year when the invasive plant has taken over your whole garden.
An effective focal point
Another great thing to have in a modern garden is a focal point. It can be anything, like a piece of furniture or a sculpture. You could even look at flag poles for sale; as long as it gets the job done of catching interest. But remember: the key to an effective focal point is placement.
Take the wooden bench accentuated by a pair of classical urns on each side as an example. Not only does it work well as something that people can sit on, but it also functions as a good focal point.
Make use of a fence
Another way to make your garden look nice is by utilizing a fence to add color and greenery to your outdoor space. This is also perfect if you’re trying to make use of whatever small space you have for your plants.
You can be creative and get inspiration from the example above. See how simple the fence is, and yet, it makes up for a unique and eye-catching focal point.
Light ‘em up
A stunning garden during the day may look dull and lifeless at night. That is if you fail to provide proper lighting for your garden. Lighting plays a big role not only in interior design but in outdoor space as well.
What if you have a special dinner celebration at home? Surely, you don’t want to disappoint your guests. If you’re worried about your utilities skyrocketing because of the lights in your garden, you can always choose solar lights.
Play with colorful furniture
While many modern garden designs are simple and minimalistic, it’s not always so bad to shy away from the norm.
You can mix and match colorful flowers in your garden with different pieces of furniture, or offset colorful furniture and decor against a monochromatic garden.
If you have kids or family members who are kids at heart, there’s no way that they’re not going to love it.
Make room for kids
Kids love to play in the garden, and you can’t blame them. After all, you’ve been there. You’ve had your turn when you were a kid at running in the garden doing all sorts of crazy stuff.
As long as there’s still enough space in your garden area, consider building a miniature house for the kids to play. Doing so puts you at an advantage too as you’re able to provide a safe area for your kids to play, and you also give your garden a unique focal point when the kids are not around.
Add a water feature
A water feature in your garden is also a great way to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Water has been recognized to have healing properties for centuries. That’s the reason why you’d often see water features in gardens at hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
A water feature in your garden provides a soothing and calming effect on anyone who looks at it. It’s one of those things that you need especially if you live in an urban area.