Modern garden ideas to transform your outdoors

Advances in technical fabrics mean outdoor comfort is at last assured, without having to bring everything indoors every time a rain cloud threatens. So it’s goodbye plastic chairs and hard wooden benches and hello properly squashy cushions and soft rugs just made for lounging in the sunshine – these ‘Liz’ outdoor armchairs are by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba for Expormim. For more ideas, see our guide to outdoor fabrics for garden furniture.

Sometimes, just one well-placed chair is all that’s needed to make a small outdoor space inviting. This lofty urban oasis sticks to a classic planting palette of purple and silvery green, which complements the powder-coated steel chair – for a similar design, try the ‘Palissade’ collection from Hay – and contemporary grey planters. Evergreen lollipop trees frame the view and add height and structure, while wild geranium, lavender and salvia bring softness to the scheme.

Gardens with level changes can sometimes be seen as problematic, but with a bit of thought they can add real interest. Don’t just think of them as places for stairs and retaining walls – with clever planning, they can be much more. The garden of Danish fashion designer Naja Munthe was inspired by Roman amphitheatres. Its broad jatoba (Brazilian cherry) steps provide masses of informal seating for parties and gatherings. Read our guide to decking for more inspiration.

Cristina Mazzucchelli used the structural elements of this Milanese building as the starting point for her balcony design, where climbing jasmine forms an enclosing bower over the dining area. cristinamazzucchelli.com

Some of the best designs arise out of constraints and a good garden designer will be able to see even the most unpromising roof space, light well or alleyway with new eyes. A roomy daybed is the focus of this dinky roof terrace in Montmartre, Paris. Using the same wood for the decking as the fence makes the space seem larger, while rampant climbers and a couple of small trees create the impression of a secret garden.

A journey in a garden – however small – is an important design device, leading you on and creating a sense of discovery as you progress. Curved paths work particularly well, as does tall planting, which can obscure or veil the space beyond or direct the eye to its final destination. A sinuous path between raised beds creates a playful feel in this garden by architect Francesco Stasi. Large shrubs and trees, including a fig, provide height and volume, with an underplanting of herbs adding scent and an invitation to pause.

Designer James Aldridge created a clean, modern look that still feels verdant by keeping all the planting green. Above the sunken seating area, simple black railings frame the view of the larger garden beyond. jamesaldridgedesign.com

Cedar wood decking and shingles unify this awkward shaped roof terrace by Sarah Jane Rothwell, founder of London Garden Designer. The soft, prairie-style planting has been chosen to withstand the hot, dry conditions of the exposed location and the wraparound bench provides copious seating without adding unnecessary clutter.

This tiny area by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba shows just how simply a garden can be achieved. Climbers in shallow planters (check with a surveyor that the roof can handle the extra weight) screen neighbouring buildings while pale flooring seems to enlarge the space.

Enjoying meals in full sun is not to everybody’s taste. This inventive dining table uses a beautiful, mature tree as an in-built shade, and is large enough to keep the sun-worshippers happy, too. The tiled top is highly practical and provides endless options for customisation. Bespoke tables can be sourced from Bennington Metal Furniture.

Move over barbecues, outdoor kitchens are on the rise. Sharp edges and clean lines are the secret to the success of this sleek design, painted white so as to minimise its impact in what is a relatively small space. A good outdoor kitchen should include a sink, cooker, fridge and waste bin – and don’t forget lighting if you plan to use it after dark.

Thrilled as we are to see the sunshine, a bit of shade is always welcome. Options range from simple sails that can be attached to existing buildings or fences, to awnings, plant-covered pergolas and permanent pavilions. Whichever you choose, all will help zone your space. A large, permanent canopy structure is an integral device in this elegant terrace by interior designer Martina Hunglinger. For a similar canopy, try Kettal.

Kiwi outfit Cheshire Architects chose polished concrete for this oversized table which truly blurs the boundaries between in and out, being designed as an almost seamless extension of the kitchen worktop within. The support is a boulder of local stone, also used in the small retaining walls surrounding the courtyard.

The desire to curl up on a window seat indoors and gaze upon the world outside has seen a boom in cantilevered windows recently. This idea turns the concept on its head, allowing you to be in the garden and free among the elements, while still being protected from them. Different widths of cladding on this simple shelter echo the decking, while the white interior reflects the light. ‘Ani’ floor lamp by Blomus.