Garden Design Essentials: Balancing Unity and Variety

"A work devoid of a unifying element is liable to seem haphazard and chaotic. A work totally unified with no variety can seem boring. These two principles are interlocked," writes Marjorie Elliott Bevlin in Design Through Discovery, a timeless college art theory book. Together, unity and variety turn ordinary space into extraordinary.

Unity represents control of variety; variety provides interest within unity. Ideal result balances both. These principles apply to architecture, interior design, and landscape.

Here are excellent examples of the subtle but powerful balance of unity and variety in outdoor settings.

More Garden Design Elements

Line | Rhythm | Shape and Mass | Space | Texture | Color

Unity

Interior wall of this beautiful garden room hung gallery-style with vintage maps. Not one alike (variety), but similar off-white matte boards and dark frames give overall unity.

Continuity between blonde wood floor and chairs, armchair's white slipcover and white parson's tables.

Blue, white, nautical themes unify this attractive porch vignette. Variety expressed by 3D non-framed objects—paddles, fish, sea discoveries. Their presence makes framed prints more interesting.

Study in terra-cotta illustrates how harmony of material unifies. 3D mural uses diverse assemblage of shapes and forms (variety). Each piece same clay type—overall unity.

Unity via color: Verdigris green in variety of applications holds things together in patio of mostly neutral, natural surfaces. Two oversize stars echo door trim, which echoes planted succulents on tabletop and potted cactus.

Subtle yet satisfying: outdoor seating area with unifying details—wrought iron furniture and upholstery piping both black; olive pillows reflect bay-green iron scrollwork. Enough variety in materials, colors, textures, patterns, yet they speak a common harmonious language.

Planted canvas of succulents by Flora Grubb Gardens framed as fine art. Many succulent types in shades from blue-green to dark green to lime green exemplify unity and variety. Textures contribute to variety; overall composition glorious.

Variety

Variety of materials first noticed approaching this home. Similar color palette, but contrast between mortared stone privacy wall and smooth exterior stucco. Unity expressed via warm neutral finishes and connection between horizontal window grids and horizontally cut stone blocks.

Idea of contrast in this attractive outdoor living room. Smooth bands of poured-in-place concrete contrast with surrounding pebble/gravel mulch and trio of reflective orbs. Unity in palette: chocolate-brown furniture reflects dark fence; plants mostly green and grassy. Overall mood: serenity and harmony.