flower beds

We all know, without even knowing we know, what modern garden ideas look like in the UK: narrow borders filled with bedding plants, garden ideas featuring a small patio or decking scattered with the best garden furniture, and a lot of freshly-mowed grass.

In the summer, there will likely be a washing line spinning lazily somewhere in view – unless the BBQ has been fired up, that is. And yet, despite these new additions, it still feels incredibly minimalist in design: it’s all straight lines, dip-treated fences, and right angles. It’s all about functionality… and, dare I say it, familiarity.

If this works for you, then brilliant. But if you’re in the market for something a bit different when it comes to creating a unique modern garden look this way: these expert-approved modern garden ideas are guaranteed to transform your outdoor space into something extraordinary.

Modern garden ideas

We spoke to a number of garden design experts to find out what the newest thing in modern garden trends is to help curate your outdoor space. Paired with our cumulative years of Ideal Home expertise (100 years and counting…) we’re pulled together the best modern garden ideas that are worth stealing for your own garden.

1. Opt for dark-coloured fences

Garden designer Matthew Childs advises that you inject some ‘imagination and intrigue’ into your garden by ‘painting fences a dark colour, training climbing plants up them, and creating deep planting borders in front.’ This, he says, will ‘allow boundaries to visually disappear.’

Learning how to paint a fence isn’t tricky, but make sure you do your prep work so you’re not repainting every summer.

2. Cut