Carolyn Hughes
This is an example of a contemporary garden in Manchester.

This yard was an unusable muddy lawn flanked by tall Arborvitae. We removed the hedge and replaced it will a beautiful Ipe screen that serves as the backdrop to a concrete water feature that spills into a channel that runs the length of the patio. Corten steel planters contain Equisetum plantings, as well as Bamboo that screens a trampoline for the childrens fun. Pavers and black mexican pebbles make up the new hardscape for the patio.

Shriver

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

Barn wood, chipping green, clean modern lines, covered patio, garden playhouse, gazebo, golf green, golf putting green, indoor-outdoor living, low maintenance, matte colors, minimalist, modern design, modern fireplace, outdoor bar, outdoor dining, outdoor TV, patio extension, pergola, Synlawn Be Burke Photography

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Highgate walled garden

Peter Reader Landscapes

Photography by Peter Reader
Photo of a contemporary partial sun garden in London with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

A Texan in New England

Gilmore Landscape Architecture

Robert Gilmore
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard partial sun garden for summer in Boston with a retaining wall and gravel.

Front Yards

Terrain Landscape

Lance Parker
Photo of a contemporary garden in Orange County.

Life at the beach

Bayon Gardens

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in Melbourne with a fire feature and gravel.

Wordly in Los Altos

Peruri Design Company

Designed by Sindhu Peruri of Peruri Design Co. Woodside, CA Photography by Eric Roth
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a container garden and natural stone pavers.

Small San Francisco Landscape Remodel

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This tired, unused San Francisco backyard was transformed into a modern, low-maintenance landscape with site-appropriate plantings enhanced by raised planting beds and a lead-free artificial lawn to replace the existing water-thirsty lawn. I created two separate "rooms" to break up the long narrow yard, and specified full range blue stone for the two small patio areas, connected by a curved pattern of rectangular pavers of the same natural stone. The raised concrete rectangular planting beds were incorporated to bring more movement and interest to the landscape along with gravel bed accents alongside. Some of the existing concrete remained, and was stained with a color to compliment the natural stone. These photos were taken over a three year period. Photos: © Landscape Designer, Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

Marrying Elegant Design & Sustainability

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)

The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope to pour into a round basin, emptying into a channel that meanders through the narrow back garden at ground level, ending finally in a boulder fountain. Devised to minimize root disturbance for the tall existing pines on the property, the continuous Corten steel structure is supported by concrete tubes rather than a foundation that would have required extensive excavation. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

Watson Project

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

Bamboo privacy screen, built-in in-ground hot tub, built-in seating, cedar arbor, concrete herb garden, concrete planters, contemporary landscape, custom spa, fire feature, firepit, herb garden, hot tub, LED lighting, modern landscape, modern outdoor living, outdoor lighting, outdoor living space, smaller landscape space Be Burke Photography

Iver Heath Garden

Anthos Garden Design

Mid-sized contemporary garden in Cambridgeshire.

Boreum Hill Brownstone Garden

New Eco Landscapes

Photos by Anthony Chrisafulli
Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for summer.

Hog Wire Fence with Screening Trees

Sarah Ray Landscape Design

Design ideas for a contemporary garden in San Francisco.

Sunrise Vista

Lane Williams Architects

We began with a structurally sound 1950’s home. The owners sought to capture views of mountains and lake with a new second story, along with a complete rethinking of the plan. Basement walls and three fireplaces were saved, along with the main floor deck. The new second story provides a master suite, and professional home office for him. A small office for her is on the main floor, near three children’s bedrooms. The oldest daughter is in college; her room also functions as a guest bedroom. A second guest room, plus another bath, is in the lower level, along with a media/playroom and an exercise room. The original carport is down there, too, and just inside there is room for the family to remove shoes, hang up coats, and drop their stuff. The focal point of the home is the flowing living/dining/family/kitchen/terrace area. The living room may be separated via a large rolling door. Pocketing, sliding glass doors open the family and dining area to the terrace, with the original outdoor fireplace/barbeque. When slid into adjacent wall pockets, the combined opening is 28 feet wide.

Hip Modern Courtyard

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Photo of a small contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a garden path and decking.

San Roque Get-a-Way

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Naturalist Stone Fire Pit, adirondack chairs and boulder bench make for a great outdoor living space. Holly Lepere
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard garden in Santa Barbara with a fire feature.

Highgate Garden

London Garden Designer

The clients of this Highgate Garden contacted London Garden Designer in Dec 2011, after seeing some of my work in House and Garden Magazine. They had recently moved into the house and were keen to have the garden ready for summer. The brief was fairly open, although one specific request was for a Garden Lodge to be used as a Gym and art room. This was something that would require planning permission so I set this in motion whilst I got on with designing the rest of the garden. The ground floor of the house opened out onto a deck that was one metre from the lawn level, and felt quite exposed to the surrounding neighbours. The garden also sloped across its width by about 1.5 m, so I needed to incorporate this into the design.

Cor Ten Raised Beds

CSDesign llc

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard full sun garden in Seattle with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Contemporary 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.

Del Sur "The Sentinels"

Belle Terre Landscapes

Janet Pozzuoli-Vallin
Design ideas for a contemporary garden in San Diego with a water feature.