Geometric Design in Outdoor Spaces

The innate wildness of nature – think prairie thunderstorms, ocean waves, desert sand dunes, and mountain forests – is inspiring at a deep level. While we can and do appreciate the beauty of nature, many of us prefer a bit of structure in our own outdoor spaces.

Structure, that is, and style.

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Which is the perfect jumping-off point for incorporating a bit of geometric design into your outdoor space. Geometric shapes and patterns are classic, timeless, and orderly…and they look amazing against a natural backdrop.

Hexagon Planter Cells.

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Cover an ugly cement wall with beautiful modern planter cells. These hexagonal ones made of redwood create an outdoor art display.

Cube-Shaped Patio Furniture.

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With the free-flowing characteristics of a garden (think rounded leaves, spindly branches, twining vines), sometimes the best way to add structure is through geometric shaped furniture.

Square Stepping Stones.

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Stepping stones laid out in geometric patterns provide an unbeatable sense of order and structure to a yard. The squares are emphasized by grass borders around each stone, which is green and gorgeous.

Angular Backyard Fire Pit.

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This particular backyard setting has fully welcomed the modern geometric sensibility. With floor surfaces comprised of parallel lines and circles, the setting is a perfect foundation for this angular (perhaps a dodecahedron?) fire pit.

Checkered Patio Floor.

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Gorgeous patterned floor underneath a concrete patio ceiling. Geometric details on the large pendant lights provide aesthetic balance as well.

Slatted Pergola Roof.

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Not only do the parallel shadowed lines generated by the sun’s shining through a slatted roof look amazing, the slats also disperse the harsh sunlight. (Whoever said geometry had no place in real life?)

Lantern-Style Lighting.

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The outline of each glass face on these lantern-style pendants is eye-catching and nicely balances the rest of the patio’s furnishings. (Plus: Check out the topiary. Let’s hear it for spheres!)

Strong Lines Everywhere.

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“Right angles” can become almost a décor theme for the strong, decidedly modern backyard. (If you’re into décor themes, that is.) The rounded evergreens soften the hard edges of this poolside patio, and the end result is a gorgeous contemporary backyard area worthy of relaxation time.

Basic instincts dukes jacobson backyard steel ipe bench portrait

What do you think? Do you like the idea of incorporating geometry into natural settings? What geometric patterns or shapes do you think work best in a backyard?