Contemporary
Overview
This contemporary courtyard garden design in Whitstable, Kent was created as a seamless extension of the home’s interior living spaces. Although the courtyard spans the full width of the property, its relatively shallow depth required careful spatial planning to ensure the garden felt generous, private, and visually engaging.
The final design delivers a refined outdoor room that balances light, shade, and privacy within a compact footprint.
The Brief
The clients commissioned a Whitstable garden design that would feel distinctive and expressive, while functioning as an everyday extension of the house.
Key requirements included:
A courtyard garden that flows naturally from the interior
Covered lounging for flexible outdoor use
Effective privacy from neighbouring properties
Thoughtful treatment of high boundary walls
Clear zoning across the width of the garden
The design needed to feel calm, contemporary, and confidently different.
The Solution
Zoning was carefully organised from left to right to maximise the sense of space. A bespoke pergola with a retractable shade provides flexibility, allowing increased sunlight when required while offering shelter for lounging and entertaining.
Decorative laser-cut metal screens were introduced to define zones within the courtyard. These screens act as sculptural focal points, drawing attention inward and away from the boundaries. When illuminated after dark, the screens cast dramatic shadows, creating a layered shadow-play effect that gives the garden its name and identity.
Features
Materials were selected for their large-format scale and pale tones, helping to reflect light and enhance the feeling of openness within the shallow space. A composite deck provides a soft, comfortable surface underfoot and further reinforces the distinction between functional zones.
The high boundaries are clad in honey-coloured horizontal cedar slats, introducing warmth, texture, and a natural character that softens the enclosure and improves privacy.
A carefully positioned water feature forms a central focal point, adding sound, movement, and a calming ambience that elevates the courtyard’s sensory experience.
The Result
The completed Whitstable courtyard garden design is a sophisticated, light-filled outdoor space that feels both intimate and expansive. Through precise zoning, expressive screening, and a refined material palette, the garden delivers a unique and highly personal contemporary courtyard suited to modern coastal living.
