The Top 2018 Garden Design Trends

This year’s most on-trend gardens will be embracing all that is wonderful about nature – from natural stone to warm, earthy shades. We’ll also see the popularity of concrete continue to surge, as well as the urban luxe blend of contemporary and vintage. 

Here we take a closer look at some of the hottest 2018 garden design trends.

The colours of nature

This year we’ll see neutral creams, greys and browns with some contrasting highlights of bright, to encompass the ‘urban luxe’ feel that became prominent in the latter part of 2017. Natural stone patios and garden features will embrace the beauty of granite and its ability to bring a fresh and stylish ambience to any design theme. Granite will also be a popular choice for borders and gravel driveways, as will beautiful natural stone pebbles in shades of white through to rich brown.

Industrial-inspired materials

The urban industrial trend that emerged last year will continue to influence 2018 garden design trends, with concrete maintaining its reign as a must-have material both in and outside the home. Concrete paving will be hugely popular for both practicality and aesthetics. Whether fresh, contemporary and minimalistic or a weathered appearance for a traditional look, we’ll see concrete making a big impact on garden designs this year.

Embracing your space

2018 garden design trends will bring even more possibilities for smaller outside areas. We’ll see features becoming multi-functional, like a sunken concrete fire pit doubling up as a wall seat, or creative decking areas offering a child-friendly place to play by day and an adult entertaining area by night.

Garden features will also be used to combine style and function. For example, an arbour can add intimacy to a garden, while also acting as a screen to create a ‘zone’ or block any gaps to a neighbour’s garden. Arbours and pergolas are also the perfect way to inject colour, fragrance and texture, with climbing vines and plants in line with this year’s colour palette of berry infused purples and foliage greens.

Outside entertaining

Even though the British weather is so unpredictable, we’ll see the Mediterranean lifestyle influencing our desire for outside entertaining areas. So much so, sales of garden furniture, BBQs and accessories are expected to grow by 3 to 4% each year between now and 2021. A key trend for this spring and summer will be outdoor entertaining and kitchen areas, particularly where space is limited inside the home. Dedicated entertaining and eating areas will be sought after, with comfy furniture, mood lighting and fire pits.

A haven of health and wellbeing

Over the last decade, the number of British people adopting a plant-based diet has risen by over 360%, and this year we’ll see a resurgence of people growing their own produce. You can make a space to grow your own vegetables in any sized garden, either in a raised wooden planter or by using railway sleepers to create a bed. ‘Mindfulness’, which is the ancient Buddhist tradition of immersing yourself in the present moment, is also set to have a big influence this year. We’ll see 2018 garden design trends focusing on incorporating elements to stimulate the senses, from calming colours to water features for a wonderful tranquil ambience. 

Another theme we’ll see along these lines over the coming months is ‘Wabi-Sabi’ – the art of appreciating beauty in the ‘naturally imperfect world’. Think asymmetry, incompleteness and simplicity in the garden, by incorporating iron features that rust and change over time and stone water features to encourage moss to grow. Water features themselves will be a big trend, whether used as a sleek, modern centrepiece or for a more subtle and rustic effect.

For more inspiration garden design ideas you may be interested to read our blog or visit your local AWBS branch.