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Modern Landscape Design Ideas

March 2020
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The white stuff may still be on the ground here in Hamilton, but that shouldn’t stop you from thinking about your landscape design if that is one of your goals for this year. In fact, imagining what your summer oasis will look like might be just the thing to help get you through a long, cold winter. Hamilton residents have a diverse range of preferences when it comes to landscape design, but in this article, we want to focus specifically on modern landscape design.

What is modern landscape design?

Modern landscape design is design that focusses on clean lines and usually emphasizes hardscaping over plants. When plants are used, they are typically chosen for their shape and contrast. Modern landscape design is often minimalist, but don’t mistake that for boring! Every plant, every piece of wood, concrete or metal, flows together to create a stunning outdoor space. The following are a few of our favourite modern landscape design ideas.

1. Grass tile

Outdoor grids are often considered a trademark feature of modern landscape design. Grids or tile patterns are made using a combination of hardscaping material such as stone or concrete slabs along with grass or another hardy ground cover plant such as elfin thyme.

2. Stone tile

Strategically placed stone tile not only looks beautiful, but it can help to keep your landscape design appear neat and organized. For example, stone tile can help to create a seamless transition from a foot path to a rock garden, or it can help to highlight a focal point such as a birdbath or water feature.

3. Plant placement

In modern landscape design, plants should be placed strategically to help highlight certain areas and create separate sections. Flowerbeds, for example, might help to create a border, taller plants might be added to create a dramatic effect around a seating area, or a beautiful tree might serve as a statement piece.

4. Pots and planters

Choosing the right pots and planters is a great way to add both colour and architectural structure to your landscape. Consider unique materials and shapes such as metals, glass and stackable containers to help create outdoor works of art.

5. Outdoor seating

Since many modern landscape designs don’t have much (or sometimes any) grass, the seating that you choose becomes extremely important as a focal point. Outdoor seating should be both comfortable to enjoy long summer evenings and durable.

The size of your outdoor space will somewhat dictate the type of furniture you choose. If you only have a small balcony, then a bistro table or compact outdoor sofa may suffice. For a larger space, where you like to entertain, you might consider a full outdoor dining set.

Now that you’ve got some inspiration for your modern landscape design for your Hamilton home, it is time to start planning. If you need help designing your modern landscape give us a call and we would be happy to go through the process with our landscape designer.