How to Design a Contemporary Family Garden: Real Project Tips
Designing a contemporary family garden that works for adults, teenagers and children can feel overwhelming, especially if you want it to look stylish while still being practical. Many homeowners want separate zones for dining, relaxing and entertaining, along with planting that is attractive but easy to maintain. In this blog, we explore how to design a modern family garden that feels cohesive and enjoyable all year round, using one of our recent projects in Westcliff, Essex as a real example.
Start by Creating a Strong Indoor to Outdoor Connection
One of the most important parts of a contemporary garden design is the flow between the home and the outdoor space. If you have bifold or sliding doors, consider extending paving directly out from the threshold. This instantly creates a sense of continuity and makes the garden feel like an extension of your living area.
Example from our Westcliff project:
The clients were renovating their home and installing a large double height window and bifold doors, so we designed a full width porcelain patio set at a 45 degree angle. This creates a modern geometric look and helps guide the eye into the garden while providing plenty of space for outdoor dining.
Zone Your Garden for Different Purposes
A successful family garden should give everyone what they need, without feeling cluttered. The easiest way to achieve this is by creating separate zones for dining, lounging and play.
1. A dining area close to the house
This is ideal for everyday meals, hosting guests and enjoying warm weekends.
2. A relaxation zone further down the garden
This could be a sunken seating area, a firepit corner or a pergola with outdoor sofas.
3. A play or teen friendly space
Teenagers and children need an area where they can relax, play or unwind without being too close to the main entertaining space.
How this worked in Westcliff:
- The main patio provided room for a dining table and chairs.
- A smaller patio in the bottom left corner was designed as a cosy lounging area with a firepit.
- The bottom right corner became a dedicated hot tub destination for relaxation.
- The centre of the garden features a family friendly artificial lawn for year round use.
Zoning keeps the garden organised and ensures every part of the space has a clear purpose.
Use Pathways to Guide Movement Through the Space
Pathways are more than just practical. They help structure the garden, create flow and make the layout feel intentional.
A path made from porcelain planks, composite decking or stepping stones can guide visitors from one zone to another while adding visual interest.
In the client design:
A wood effect porcelain plank pathway leads from the main patio down to the hot tub, creating a natural journey through the garden. This prevents the space from feeling like one long rectangle and instead gives it a sense of depth and purpose.
Incorporate Vertical Features for Shade and Interest
Pergolas, timber arches and climbing structures are key features in contemporary garden design. They add height, structure and the opportunity for shade, which is especially important in sunny gardens.
We included two pergolas in our design project:
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A chunky oak pergola above the lounging area to support climbers like wisteria.
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A second pergola along the side return, creating a peaceful corner perfect for a swing seat.
Vertical elements also help break up long boundary lines and add privacy.
Think About Practicalities and Storage
A family garden needs to look good but also function well. Storage, privacy and durable materials are essential.
In our Westcliff project we added:
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A new gate system along the side return
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A dedicated space for a garden shed
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New fencing painted in Cuprinol Garden Shades Smooth Pebble for a clean, modern backdrop
These finishing touches help the garden feel complete and easy to use.
Why Choose ED Gardens For Contemporary Garden Design?
A contemporary family garden should combine style with practicality. By creating clear zones, choosing durable materials and designing a smooth flow from indoors to outdoors, you can transform any space into a welcoming and functional part of your home.
If you are planning your own garden redesign and would like help creating something similar, ED Gardens can guide you through every stage of the process. Our recent Westcliff project is just one example of how thoughtful design can completely elevate an outdoor space.
