The Shape of Things to Come - Modern Garden Building Designs

Crisp, clean-cut and calming; the contemporary garden takes a no-nonsense approach to outdoor design. With stylish symmetry and natural tones, modern gardeners are finding that minimalist design choices can help to maximise their usable space. The pièce de résistance? A sleek, stylish garden studio you’ll want to use year-round.

The contemporary garden

So, what defines contemporary garden design? The key element is a sense of openness. Modern gardens embrace the space, using straight lines and low, well-kept plants that allow you to take in the entire garden at a glance. Without the obstruction of hedges or trees, the eyeline can easily be drawn to a garden studio as a centrepiece. You can further elevate the sophistication of the space by building your garden studio on a raised platform, or build it at the top of a tiered garden.

Where a cottage-style garden might have you brushing aside draping leaves and wading through foliage that spills over a grassy path, the contemporary garden is designed with intentional boundaries. Flowerbeds are often seen partitioned from grass areas by paved paths in cool tones (like white or grey), offering a clear route through the garden.

It’s important to also consider the age and design of your property, to make sure your garden building works with the existing aesthetic. Garden buildings in London and the surrounding areas are more likely to need a minimalist look that maximises available space and blends with a more urban aesthetic. By contrast, rural buildings with quaint features may be better complemented by a traditional garden building.

Features of a modern garden building

A contemporary garden studio is likely to have a rectangular frame with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that let in maximum light. With a Crane garden building, you can also add full insulation and double glazing to make your outdoor retreat comfortable and energy efficient year-round.

Many modern garden offices that attract that wow-factor have a veranda or balcony surrounding one or more sides. You can choose from a variety of sizes depending on the intended use: a small veranda can help to seamlessly blend your garden room entryway with your garden, a medium veranda can be decorated with a stylish bistro set, and a large veranda can host a luxury patio furniture set.

Another feature unique to modern garden rooms is the ‘cheek’; an extension of the building’s wall, usually continuing over a balcony or veranda. The colour of the cheek can be different to the internal paint, allowing you to add contrast and personalise the look of your building.

Uses of a modern garden room

The bright, spacious interior of a modern garden room lends itself to professional, leisurely and practical uses. The (traditionally) rectangular floorplan makes arranging furniture a breeze, while the tall interior walls are a blank canvas for artwork, mirrors or bookshelves. Modern garden studios give you room to breathe, making them the perfect setting for a yoga studio or home gym.

The sleek, refined finishes on contemporary garden buildings give off a polished, professional vibe, making them well suited for garden offices. Once your home office is kitted out with full insulation and an electrical pack, you’ll have comfort and practicality in abundance. Throw in air conditioning for the summer months and you’ll have a cool, quiet sanctuary to get creating, working or relaxing – whatever suits your needs.

 If your abode is destined to be the new meeting spot for you and your friends to get together, why not consider installing a garden games room or garden bar? Pub classics like darts and pool are well suited to a modern outbuilding design, and with the addition of some black-out blinds you could even create a luxury home cinema experience - right in the comfort of your own back garden!

If you have a keen eye for minimalist, structured design, you can transform your garden into a spectacle worthy of a feature in an issue of Home & Garden. If you’re not sure where to start, why not start with planning where you would like to build your garden office, summerhouse or studio and then let the inspiration take over. After all, it’s much easier to design your landscape when you know what the centrepiece looks like.

No matter what kind of garden retreat you’re looking to create, you’ll be able to find a stylish garden studio or building with Crane that will meet your needs.