If you’re gathering inspiration for your dream modern garden, Atomic Ranch can help! We know there’s no place like home, and there’s nothing like the great outdoors. Home gardens offer the best of both worlds, especially when both are built around a modern aesthetic. Atomic Ranch’s latest book, Remodeled Marvels offers inspiration and practical advice for creating a modern garden paradise.
A version of this story appears in our newest book, Atomic Ranch: Remodeled Marvels by Jickie Torres
Modern Garden Tip 1: Play Off Of Your Home’s Architecture
The best plant picks and landscaping design for your garden are those that complement your home’s style, work well with your layout and highlight your personal style.
“It’s so much easier to design a cool landscape when the architecture of the home inspires you,” says James Drzewiecki, APLD, of Ginkgo Leaf Studio. “We really let the house almost tell us what we should be doing around it,” explains James. “We pull geometry and materials off the house and use the lines of the house to dictate where certain things go.” James also favors using materials that were also used in the home, so that the landscape feels like an extension of the existing architecture.
Modern Garden Tip 2: Think Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
Great gardens have well thought-out lighting. Your approach to outdoor lighting needn’t be much different than your approach to indoor lighting. Pendant lights, sconces and flood lights are your ambient lighting; pathway lights are like your task lighting. And market lights, outdoor lanterns and even landscaping uplights and spotlights are designed to highlight your garden features. They fall into the category of accent lighting. All three forms are needed, and when they work together in concert, evenings in your garden can be a magical thing.
Modern Garden Tip 3: Variety is the Spice of Life
You’ll also want to think about your garden in terms of variety. Variety in color ensures that your outdoor space isn’t one note—every greenery comes in a multitude of shades. Go for variety in texture. This can mean choosing plants with different textures like pairing a lacy fern with a broad-leafed hosta. Texture also refers to landscaping materials. Consider areas for grass versus mulch, versus pavers versus stone or pebbles. Lastly think about variety of heights: low, crawling plants paired with vertical, sprouting plants or shrubbery and, of course, trees or taller hedges.
For more modern garden inspiration and down-and-dirty tips, order your copy of Remodeled Marvels either through our store or on Amazon. You’ll also find expert advice, stories, tips on budgeting, house hunting, and a room-by-room guide to remodeling your mid century marvel.
And while you’re at it, make sure you also pick up our special Exteriors issue where you can see more dreamy modern gardens, pools, outdoor living rooms and more!
