Contemporary garden zoning ideas

Are you confident that you’re using your garden to its fullest potential? With outdoor space often being at a premium, dividing your garden into different zones can transform how you relax outside. 

By treating your garden as a multifunctional space, you can create clever outdoor ‘rooms’ and make your garden work harder for you. Whether you’re looking to carve a quiet nook for you to relax or a shady corner for the kids to play, there are endless ways to section your garden into useful zones and make the most of your outdoor space. 

In this guide, we’ll explore clever contemporary garden zoning ideas, from using outdoor furniture to creative planting, to help you unlock the power of your garden. 

What is zoning in interior design?

First things first, let's define what ‘zoning’ actually means in interior design. Our Head of Design explains:

“Zoning is an interior design technique that’s often used in dual-purpose rooms or open-plan living spaces to create a functional area within a room. For example, this could mean defining the kitchen from the living room, or a workspace within a lounge.”

Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

How can zoning help in your garden design?

Now, more than ever, we’re starting to treat our outdoor spaces like an extra room of the house, taking classic interior design principles and applying them to our gardens - and zoning is a perfect example. 

Just like you would indoors, consider the practicalities of how you’ll use your outdoor space to inspire your zoning plans. For example, perhaps you need a shady corner for the kids to play? Or maybe you want to create a vegetable patch whilst still having an area to enjoy al fresco dinners throughout the summer?

Once you’ve figured out exactly what you want from your garden, you can begin thinking about how to divide up your space to suit every need. This way, every inch of your garden is put to use, and nothing is wasted - ideal for those with slightly smaller outdoor areas.

What are the key benefits of garden zoning?

• Adds functionality

• Identifies different zones for different purposes

• Each zone can have its own mood and colour scheme

• Can make a garden look and feel bigger

• Allows you to make the most of your outdoor space

Contemporary garden zoning ideas

Now, let’s put this into practice with our best contemporary garden zoning ideas that you can experiment with in your own outdoor space. 

1. Install a pergola for structure and privacy

If you’re nervous about approaching garden zoning for the first time, adding a beautiful garden pergola is an easy route. Not only does a pergola add instant structure to your outdoor space, but it also creates privacy - almost like an extra ‘room’ outside! Ideal for those who like to enjoy family BBQs or host throughout the summer, a garden pergola offers the perfect enclosed area to relax, unwind, and entertain.

Our contemporary Savannah Pergolas are crafted from durable aluminium with a natural wood-effect finish, making them super weather-resistant (come rain or shine!). You can also optimise your pergola, your way. Choose from pergolas with adjustable roof slats and side walls for varying degrees of air ventilation, shade, and privacy. It’s the ultimate zoning tool! 

2. Patios and decking for built-in zones

Another great starting point for garden zoning is looking at your foundations. Some gardens already have natural zones thanks to built-in patios and decking, which are easy to follow. You already have the edges of your zones! Simply add in some garden accessories to fill in the gaps.

3. Create a cosy lounge spot with garden furniture

Want something a little more flexible? Outdoor furniture is far more adaptable, and you can switch up the layout if you fancy a new look. We love creating cosy corners in gardens with contemporary garden chairs and corner sofas. Perfect for slotting into outdoor spaces, garden sofas are ideal for creating your very own oasis for relaxing with a book, enjoying an afternoon nap in the summer breeze, or post-dinner cocktails with a friend. 

Just look at how we’ve styled our Celia Corner Lounge Dining Set for some inspiration. The sofa puts the sun-soaked patio to good use, whilst the stretch of lawn behind is open for the kids to run around and play summer games. Different zones, completely different uses - all working to the best of their abilities.  

Best outdoor lounge corner sets for zoning

5. Add an outdoor rug

Just like indoors, garden rugs can be a useful tool for dividing up your outdoor space. Particularly if your garden is fully paved with stone or decking, a rug can help to add a clear visual zone for different areas of your outdoor space. 

A rug also adds a beautiful indoor-outdoor aesthetic in your garden, bringing warmth, texture, and a homey touch to your space. Our round outdoor rug in grey is designed specifically for outdoor use, thanks to its weather-resistant properties and elevated design. 

Looking to bring even more cosiness to your garden? Check out our guide to designing a warm minimalist garden. 

6. Use hedges, trees, and plants to create natural walls

For those who like a fluid feel in their garden, strategic planting can bring just as much structure as hard landscaping, whilst still respecting the beauty of nature. By planting in specific areas or in straight lines, you can subtly create natural zones in your garden, without the need for anything man-made.

We’d recommend sticking to structured greenery, like shrubs, trees, and hedges, for the most precision, and flowering plants and bushes where you want to soften any edges or blur lines.

Best plants for garden zoning

• Evergreen hedges, like English Yew

• Classic box hedges - ideal for edging

• Olive trees - great for creating uniform lines 

• Dense Blackthorn shrubs

From intentional garden furniture placement to strategic hedge planting, there are so many different ways to transform your outdoor space with our innovative garden zoning ideas. By dividing your garden into different zones, you can give each area its own purpose and flair, so the whole family can enjoy versatile outdoor lounging.