Very private backyard enclave waterfall with fire pit and screened in patio
Contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in DC Metro with with waterfall and natural stone pavers for summer.

EARTH FIRE WATER

Plantenance Landscape Group

Luxury landscape and custom concrete pool with tanning ledge and waterscape.
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in Montreal with brick pavers.

Southfields Garden

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping

Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in London with with pond and natural stone pavers for summer.

New Projects.

Aden Landscaping

Mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a water feature and gravel.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

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.

Cross Country Greenhouses

BC Greenhouse Builders Ltd

This estate greenhouse has double glass that lets the light shine out through the night. Photo: Bob Matheson
This is an example of an expansive contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Vancouver with with pond and natural stone pavers.

Patio Designs

Bredder Land Management

A wonderfully encapsulated space for an urban retreat. Detailed slate masonry and intricate wood work unite for a high-end modern space.
Inspiration for a small contemporary courtyard partial sun formal garden for spring in Other with with privacy feature and natural stone pavers.

A Sense of Place

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

The upper terrace is a vantage point that invites visitors from one level to another and offers views of the landscape, its scale and depth of botanical plantings.

Our first bbq storage cabinet

Hand Crafted Projects

This is our first contemporary, made to measure bbq storage unit, to order yours go to our website.
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Other with decking.

Fallen Leaves

Arbordale Landscaping

Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

Wield Residence

Foch Family Landscape Architecture

Steps & Tiered Garden Leading to a Second Storey Entrance with Wood Wrap Around Balcony
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Toronto with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Haberfield federation

Think Outside Gardens

This previously renovated federation home had a generous garden area that required attention. With a brief to bring the garden up to date but still reference the traditional features / architecture a soft natural material palette of sandstone brick retaining with large format tiling was applied. Lush perimeter planting provides the structure and the necessary privacy while the layers of more traditional planting such as Buxus, Lavender and native violet further enhance the formal style and reference the traditional period of the home. Bougainvillea has been used to frame the lower terrace level and Juniperus and pencil pines used around the pool to add Mediterranean accents. The result is a relaxed and inviting space that the family uses year round.

Wasser im Garten

User

Foto von Dr. Wolfgang Hess, Firma Japan-Garten-Kultur ZEN trift Kunst in Karlsruhe
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Frankfurt with with pond and natural stone pavers.

Townhouse garden

Neil Jones Design

Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.

Fountain, Landscaping & Irrigation

Dancy Designs, LLC.

We provided drawings for conceptual layout, permitting & construction.
Large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in Houston with a garden path.

A Beautiful Water Feature

The Landscape & Garden Company LTD

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard formal garden in Other with a water feature and gravel.

Highland Park

The Garden Design Studio

www.seeinseeout.com
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Dallas with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Custom Block Wall

OC WEST Landscape

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun formal garden in Orange County with a container garden.

Recent Projects

Green Florida Landscaping

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun formal garden for spring in Miami with a garden path and brick pavers.

Contemporary Formal 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.