You can’t deny the fact that the essential elements of landscaping have changed from how they used to be. Forget the wavy naturalistic borders filled with a multitude of colourful, mismatched plants and instead meet clean and clutter-free modern landscaping. The contemporary landscape style tends to focus on geometric forms, minimalism and straight lines that reflect the style of modern architecture.
An award-winning designer, David Wilson, suggests that one of the main ways in which you know your design is successful is when each and every element of your landscaping project is essential. If everything is vital and if nothing can be eliminated without leaving a sense of emptiness, you’ll know you have a beautiful design.
Of course, that’s easier said than done, so if you’re planning to carry out a landscaping project at home, or makeover your garden or yard this year, here are a few landscaping dos and don’ts.
DO
- Choose light colours for your landscape: There’s something simple and honest about using light colours in landscaping. When you smartly use materials of natural or neutral colour like limestone, ripe wood, concrete, weathered steel and pea gravel, you’ll let the sleek architectural lines shine amongst the landscape.
- Select plants of a definite form: Plants such as Japanese boxwood are a favorite with landscapers as they can be easily manipulated and clipped in different shapes. Use spiky, soft-textured weeping plants to create a strong visual impact in your garden.
- Choose one plant colour at the centre: Keep planting simple by choosing one plant colour to take the focal point or centre stage. This helps create a contemporary look and allows you to accessorise it easily with coordinating coloured garden furniture or seat cushions.
DON’T
- Don’t get carried away with new trends: There are always new trends in the landscaping world as the annual garden shows reveal, but try not to get too carried away and overkeen to use them all. A bold mix of bright colours in your planting may seem appealing at the time, but a clash of colours might date the design. Give careful thought to the trends you use and those you avoid – the perfect landscaping design needs to be something that you love and will last. If you want to add bright colours, use garden furniture to introduce it instead.
- Don’t utilise organic mulch: For a modern finish, landscaping experts suggest not using organic mulch within the garden beds. Pea gravel, on the other hand, with its neutral colour, creates a stark contrast between the ground and the foliage, so is the perfect choice for a contemporary finish.
- Don’t select ornate furniture: To create the perfect modern outdoor space, opt for streamlined, sleek garden furniture. Ornate pieces tend not to work so well against a modern landscaping background.
Image credit: Shutterstock
0
Leave a Reply