A mid-century home sits behind this naturalistic planting design framed by a horizontal, contemporary-style fence. The lines of the fence are the perfect foil to the wispy brushstrokes of feather grass. This planting design was inspired by wind-swept hills, and foothill Manzanita. These plants thrive with absolutely no irrigation and no additional water (not even in the first year). The concrete pavers were re-purposed from the original garden. Photo: James Wilson

LAKE HOUSE

Sherman Architecture

At the top of the hill, this Kensington home had modest beginnings as a “1940’s Ranchburger”, but with panoramic views of San Francisco to the west and Tilden Park to the east. Inspired by the Owner’s desire to realize the property’s potential and meet the needs of their creative family, our design approach started with a drive to connect common areas of the house with the outdoors. The flow of space from living, family, dining, and kitchen areas was reconfigured to open onto a new “wrap-around deck” in the rear yard. Special attention to space, light, and proportion led to raising the ceiling in the living/dining room creating a “great hall” at the center of the house. A new master bedroom suite, with private terrace and sitting room, was added upstairs under a butterfly roof that frames dramatic views on both sides of the house. A new gable over the entry for enhanced street presence. The eclectic mix of materials, forms, and saturated colors give the house a playful modern appeal. Credits: Photos by Mark Costantini Contractor Lewis Fine Buildings

Brennan Residence

Creative Atmospheres, Inc.

This is an example of a contemporary front yard garden in Orange County with a container garden.

Dalkeith garden

Cultivart Landscape Design

Contemporary entry and rear entertaining area in Australia Photos: Peta North
Mid-sized and australian native contemporary front yard garden in Perth with a water feature.

Contemporary Garden Cottesloe Perth

sustainable garden design perth

A contemporary garden containing a sculptural corten rusted steel letterbox, a washed aggregate concrete outdoor living space surrounded by a curved raised garden bed. The garden contains feature succulent bowls, a small olive and citrus orchard with a selection of Australian native and exotic ground covers in the raised garden bed.

Grace Design Associates

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Uber green earthy contemporary Winner of the Gold Medal and the International Landscaper Designer of The Year for APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers) Winner of Santa Barbara Beautiful Award, Large Family Residence

Caladium

AquaTerra Outdoors

Design ideas for a large contemporary front yard garden in Dallas with with path and concrete pavers.

Our Work

Ken Griffin Landscape

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun garden in Miami with gravel.

Palo Alto 2

Randy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape Architecture

Front entry and gathering area. Jason Liske, photographer
Design ideas for a contemporary front yard garden in San Francisco.

Green Additional Parking Pad

Alder Creek Landscaping

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard driveway in Other with concrete pavers.

Upper Beach 2 - Front Yard Parking Pad

Green Apple Landscaping

Inspiration for a small contemporary front yard driveway in Toronto with with raised garden bed and concrete pavers.

Jester's Crown

Native Edge Landscape

A steeply graded front yard is transformed with a beautiful custom meandering staircase down to the front entry that provides a true sense of arrival as it lulls guests through the landscape, allows for enjoyment of the space, and helps ease runoff flowing toward the house. Planted with beautiful natives and dressed with Texas hardwood mulch, large chunk blackstar gravel, and accented with limestone boulders excavated from the site, this blend of hardscape captivates the eye, adding visual interest all year 'round. A custom, contemporary metal hand railing adds a touch of modernity and a ton of safety, while the stairs themselves visually marry to the stone of the front porch. Landscape lighting accents the hardscape and landscape of this project while providing safe lighting for maneuvering the stairway at night, and extended enjoyment of the entire property.

Amherstburg Front yard

lilydesign

This new beach front home on a shallow sloping lot provided the architectural bones to draw from. The front landscape brief was a coordinating space with curb appeal that could also double as an enclosed lawn area for their dog. Low custom metal fencing provides the enclosure and adding a layer of horizontal interest. Stone & concrete retaining walls mimic the house materials for continuity. In the rear - custom metal screens and corten planters provide privacy and detail and keep the focus on the beautiful lake view.

Round Water Feature

Big Rock Landscaping

Adding a water feature to your front yard not only helps with curb appeal, but it makes for a welcoming ambiance to your home.
Large contemporary front yard garden in Salt Lake City with with waterfall and gravel.

Australian Native Front Yard

City Botanics

Photo of a mid-sized and australian native contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Sydney with with rock feature and brick pavers.

Architektonischer Vorgarten

Paus Gartendesign

Photo of a large contemporary front yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Essen with with raised garden bed and concrete pavers.

Smith

Mscape Design

Photo of a contemporary front yard driveway in San Francisco with with path and natural stone pavers.

Waverly residence

Native By Design Landscapes

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with with flowerbed.

Renovation Sensation Homes Tour

Smith Brothers Lawn & Tree

This is an example of a contemporary front yard full sun formal garden in Kansas City.

Succulent Front Yard

Sarah Herman Landscape Design

Succulents and other drought-tolerant Mediterranean climate plantings adorn this vibrant front yard in El Cerrito.
Small contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Front Yard 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.