When the weather starts to warm up in the spring, most of us want to take advantage of the longer days, sunlight and good weather by spending more time outdoors. If you have an outdoor space that you want to spruce up again after a long winter, you may be looking for the latest trends or design inspiration.
Minimal designs are not only timeless, but also have plenty of practical benefits. Complex outdoor space designs take a lot of work to create, and then a lot of maintenance once complete. Minimal designs enable more movement for guests, as there is usually more open space left uncluttered.
If you are wondering how to create a minimal, modern outdoor space, we have collected our six top tips that can help give the inspiration that you need.
Choose Plants Carefully
Some people love to fill their gardens with varieties of plants, shrubs and flowers of different sizes and colors. However, if you want to go for a minimal look, you will need to choose plants carefully and use them sparingly.
One idea is to use shrubs or hedges that can be trimmed into geometric shapes such as spheres, blocks or cones. These give a clean-cut finish and can be sculpted to fit the rest of your design. Flowers, succulents and other types of trees and shrubs can also bring life to your space when used sparingly.
Repeat Colors
Too many varying colors or clashing tones can make even a minimally-designed space seem visually cluttered. If you want to use splashes of color while still keeping a peaceful sense of calm and order in your space, consider choosing just one or two bolder colors — this goes for flowers, furnishings and any other items.
Using neutral colors such as earth tones — think the green of a lawn, the brown of a wooden fence or the soft gray of paving stones — for the majority of the space can enable the inclusion of very carefully chosen and minimal bold colors such as flower petals or even decorative cushions.
Keep Furniture Functional
When it comes to outdoor furniture, this will likely take up the majority of the outdoor space. This means that in order to keep things minimal, you should only include furniture that is functional and will be used regularly. Whether you choose a bespoke picnic bench, luxurious armchairs or a repurposed table, make sure that it deserves its valuable space in your garden.
Thinking creatively and choosing furniture that fulfills multiple purposes can be a good idea. For example, a concrete fire pit can be used for warmth — especially useful if the winter cold is still lingering in the spring evenings — along with light, cooking food and even a table when not in use, such as in the image above. The many concrete fire pit benefits mean that they are commonly used as a central feature in outdoor projects — to great effect!
Cover Unsightly Ground
The texture or color of the ground can often be uneven, leading to visual clutter that detracts from a minimal feel. Depending on your budget, you may be able to install decking, a lawn or concrete to create a smooth, modern design.
If you prefer simpler solutions — there are still ways that you can cover patches of unsightly ground. There are many outdoor rugs available that are designed to be durable in all weather and can be strategically placed to hide flaws.
Choose Ornaments Sparingly
Garden ornaments can make the difference between a bland and lifeless outdoor design and an attractive one that shows your personality. However, overzealous ornamentation is one of the main causes of a cluttered feel — too many ornaments can take up visual focus and physical space. Tripping over garden gnomes or bumping your head on hanging baskets wherever you go isn’t going to make you feel relaxed in your yard.
When choosing ornaments, don’t go overboard. Like with furniture, you can also choose ornaments that fulfill multiple purposes — for example, a pretty flower pot that is attractive on its own but also serves the purpose of displaying a plant. The image above is a great example of a space that uses ornaments sparingly and effectively, as well as making use of outdoor furniture and a fire pit.
Light Fixtures
Lighting is an essential aspect of any outdoor space design. Without effective and attractive lighting, even the most well-designed project can look flat and lifeless, especially when it comes to the evenings and it gets darker outside.
Lighting can range from small lanterns or string lights that create a cozy mood to bright floodlights that illuminate a large yard. For most of us, a middle ground is needed. A well-placed outdoor light fixture can bring your space to life while keeping to the minimal design, especially when paired with a lantern or the natural light from a fire pit.
Dekko Fire Pits Can Help You Create a Minimalistic Outdoor Space
Dekko’s lightweight concrete fire pits are not only durable and built to last, but they also use modern, minimal designs that fit with every outdoor project. The smooth surfaces evoke order and functionality, and they are just as useful and practical as they appear!
If you are interested in potentially incorporating one of our fire pits into your outdoor space, or even designing your own custom fire pit, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
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