Design Trends for the Patio and Garden – 2023
The summer season is almost here, and it’s time to start planning your patio and garden. Spring and summer are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, and preparations are underway for many. You may be thinking about building a new patio or refreshing the old one, planting new plants, buying new outdoor furnitures, or maybe investing in a customised railing.
In a series of three, we have collaborated with garden engineer John Block – Garden By Block, to help you with your planning.
Space-Defining Elements
John Block works as a garden engineer and has worked as a garden designer and gardener in various constellations in Sweden, Australia, and Norway. Today he helps both private individuals and housing cooperatives to create quality garden designs with a focus on aesthetics and functionality.
A major trend he is currently seeing is space-defining elements. People want private areas in their garden where they can socialise without too much visibility. Space-defining elements such as glass railings, plants and larger furniture also play a big role in creating a more interesting and aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment. According to John, glass railings especially, play a significant role in creating “barriers” in the garden without blocking out the rest of the garden. Customised railing solutions are often used when designing a garden. This because the railing gets tailored to the specific space and not the other way around.
In the picture you see our ST Prime – Stainless glass railing where the customer has chosen sections with wind protection. The raised terrace becomes like a separate “room”, but does not close out the fantastic environment.
Natural Colours with Colourful Details
According to John, colour and form are important components in garden design. A garden can vary in colour and expression, both during the day but also throughout the year. With the seasons, the garden shifts in colours and can be manipulated with the choices of different plants and material.
John mentions that he often draws railings and trellises as room dividers, privacy screens, and plant supports in his garden designs. In these elements he usually uses earthy colours such as grey-green, gray, dark brown, green, or black. On glass railings, he usually ensures that there is no colour at all to let the environments speak for themselves.
“Sometimes I get a bit more daring and have a more colourful colour scheme on individual planting containers, for example. I saw a very beautiful example recently where they matched a seasonal flowering colour with the colour of the surrounding furniture. Incredibly effective that at just one time of the year, it becomes a ‘perfect match’ with the different elements.”
Regarding colour trends in 2023, John believes in colouring more details and letting the ‘foundation’ of the garden be low key.
Where you need a railing that is pretty, but still safe, a wire railing fits perfectly. Here, the customer has chosen a low-key “basic”, but has chosen to color the furniture in a beautiful light yellow colour.
Materials and Textures in 2023
The demand for more natural materials is increasing. John believes in imitating nature as much as possible, and increasingly in sleek combinations with industrial solutions. Therefore, using materials such as natural stone, wood, and gravel in combination with steel and glass. He hopes that people will see the aesthetic value over the function of materials and therefore choose between different natural materials instead of weighing in artificial materials such as composite and artificial grass.
He also believes that matte surfaces may make a comeback. Glossy materials can easily take over and become eye-catching, so he sees a trend in powder coating details matte.
The glass only railing allows for an undisturbed view, but is at the same time frames the terrace in an exclusive way.
What Role Does Custom Glass Railings Play In Garden Design?
What role does custom glass railings play in garden design?
John sees a trend in investing more money and time into gardens. People want to enjoy all their garden spaces as spring and summer approach. Raised terraces, pool areas, and balconies are often places where people spend much time. These are places where people gather with family and friends, enjoy good meals, and relax. A classic railing in metal or wood can easily “enclose” an area without access to the surrounding environment. Therefore, to enjoy the beautiful garden, one should choose a glass railing to continue to enjoy the garden while sitting and eating, bathing, or socialising in the lounge area.
Do you need help designing your garden?
Contact John Block
www.gardenbyblock.com
Instagram: @gardenbyblock
In the next blog post, we discuss how to furnish and design your patio in the best way.
Keep an eye out!