This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Lytle Road, Bainbridge Island - Shaded Creek

Bliss Garden Design, LLC

Bliss Garden Design
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard shaded garden in Seattle with gravel.

Contemporary Landscape

Janice Parker Landscape Architects

A stepping stone path with grass joints lead to the lower fire pit circle. Photo credit: Neil Landino
Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in New York with a fire feature and gravel for summer.

Privacy Fence installed

The Garden District

The Valero Family wanted a new area where they could have foliage growing and covering an area that faced the neighbors for more privacy and also to enhance the look of their backyard. Privacy fence, new landscaping , palm trees and beach pebbles were installed in this area,

Zurich residence/Chula Vista

Promise Path Landscaping Inc

Mangaris wooden deck with Concrete finish with Top cast light etch. Water feature surrounded by succulents and low voltage lights. Concrete fire pit and vertical succulents wall. Photography by Zack Benson

Outer Mission Backyard

Inside Out

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard xeriscape in San Francisco with a container garden and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Garden

CplusC Architects + Builders

Small contemporary backyard full sun garden in Sydney with a vegetable garden and brick pavers.

Thornbury Project

Ian Barker Gardens

Photography by Sally Plottel
This is an example of a contemporary backyard garden in Melbourne.

Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Backyard with pond and sport court

Blue Hibiscus Gardens

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard formal garden in San Francisco with decking.

Cedar Privacy Screens

Farwest Landscape Design - Boise

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard shaded formal garden in Boise with natural stone pavers.

Landform Consultants - Project Value £35,000 - £60,000 - Winner

The Association of Professional Landscapers

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Berkshire with decking.

Edinburgh Ornamental Productive Garden

McQue Gardens

Paul Johnston of Copper Mango
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard full sun garden in Other with a vegetable garden and natural stone pavers.

Custom Horizontal Board Fence

Riverside Fence

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard shaded garden for spring in New York with a container garden and concrete pavers.

Aluminum Fences

Dakota Unlimited

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard garden in Minneapolis.

Big opportunities for outdoor entertaining in a small yard

Bradford Associates, LLC

If designed carefully, a small yard can be organized into outdoor entertaining spaces for many activities.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun garden for summer in Providence with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Landscapes

DesignBlue, Inc.

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard garden in Los Angeles.

Outdoor Entertainment

317Grow

Gardens of Growth Indianapolis, IN 317-251-4769
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for spring in Indianapolis with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Palo Alto garden

Sycamore Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for winter in San Francisco with mulch.

Pergolas and Arbors

Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc.

These Landscape Architectural elements were designed and installed by Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc. Great Oaks used pergolas and arbors to accent the patio's, sitting areas, and outdoor living spaces.

Contemporary Backyard Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Contemporary Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own contemporary garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Contemporary Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a contemporary garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a contemporary garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your contemporary garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.