Coastal
Overview
This contemporary family garden design in Seasalter, Kent was created to complement a self-built coastal home near Whitstable. The garden was designed as a natural extension of the interior, matching the home’s architectural style, material quality, and relaxed coastal lifestyle.
The result is a refined yet practical outdoor space that supports family life, entertaining, and post-swim relaxation by the sea.
The Brief
Following the completion of their new home on the Kent coast, the clients wanted a garden design that felt cohesive with the interior while enhancing how they use their outdoor space.
Key requirements included:
A seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living
A soft grey hardscape palette to reflect the interior styling
Areas for food preparation, dining, and entertaining
Comfortable lounge seating for relaxed family use
An outdoor shower for rinsing off after sea swimming
Jungle-style planting to evoke the feeling of travel and escape
The garden also needed to balance contemporary design with family-friendly functionality.
The Solution
A carefully considered palette of limewashed composite decking and large-format polished porcelain paving was introduced to create a clean, contemporary foundation. These materials provide durability in the coastal environment while maintaining a soft, refined aesthetic.
Surplus black weatherboards from the house build were repurposed to form bespoke bench-style seating and an outdoor kitchen, reinforcing the connection between the garden and the architecture. Black-painted boundary fencing further anchors the garden design to the building and provides a strong backdrop for the planting.
Corten steel edging was used to create a gentle level change between the deck, social areas, and planting zones, adding definition without visual heaviness. A small lawn was retained to provide space for play and informal family use.
Features
Jungle-style planting surrounds key areas of the garden, softening the contemporary hardscape and creating a sense of enclosure and escape. The outdoor shower is nestled within this planting, allowing the clients to rinse off salt and sand in a private, resort-like setting after sea swims.
The combination of architectural materials, layered planting, and flexible social spaces ensures the garden feels both sophisticated and welcoming.
The Result
The completed Seasalter garden design delivers a contemporary coastal family garden that seamlessly connects house and landscape. It supports everyday family life, entertaining, and outdoor living while reflecting the quality, style, and lifestyle of this modern Kent coastal home.
