Kate Eyre Garden Design
This is an example of a contemporary garden in London with a fire feature and decking.

The Hope Lodge at Buffalo, NY was in desperate need of a tranquil, uplifting outdoor space for their guests. A long narrow space led to a paver-lined walkway, dotted with plenty of spaces to relax. Adirondack chairs, a wooden swing, a fire pit, and a zen garden round out the space and make it a perfect place for guests and their families to catch up or rest after treatment.

Remarkable Gardens

This is an example of a large and australian native contemporary sloped full sun garden in Los Angeles with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

High Desert Fade Residence

Andrew Goodwin Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard garden in San Luis Obispo with a fire feature.

A Contemporary Rustic Backyard with Water Features

Techo-Bloc

For this project, the beige Travertina slabs, the beige Graphix retaining wall system, the faux-wood Borealis collection (BBQ island and the pool borders) were used in this backyard to create a full entertainment living space. It includes a fire pit, a seating area, plus a dipping pool that falls into a full-size pool. Other outdoor elements, like water fountains and additional fire pits, were installed around the pool for a wow effect. These landscape stones blend perfectly well with nature's elements.

Détente actuelle

Conception Horticole du Nord

Nichée en plein cœur de la forêt, cette demeure au style contemporain-californien invite à la détente avec son style épuré et ses courbes circonscrites.

Compact & Contemporary | Dining Area

Beyond Landscaping

This Toronto backyard may be small in space but it's big on style. We created two defined living spaces - a dining area on a raised square cut flagstone patio and a sunken living area with a fire table that will add style to any evening ambiance. This space is a perfect extension of the house. It's not only big on style but function as well and makes it perfect for this young family of five. There is a cozy bbq area with bench height stone wall and lounge area for mom or dad, long stretch of grass perfect for throwing the football and dining for the whole family (even the little ones!) When design in small spaces, creating defined rooms and keeping the unity between them can make the space feel larger and much more functional.

Fire Features

Good Earth Water Gardens

Old barren space where a playground once stood is transformed into a circular patio with a fire pit in the center.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard full sun garden for fall in Kansas City with concrete pavers and a fire feature.

Hardscape

Stout Design Build Inc.

Colored concrete with decorative rock channels for water infiltration. For natural landscaping that brings beauty to your home or business, contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build, where we offer you a range of landscape design and building services that are . . . "Organic. Responsible. Naturally!" Stout Design-Build is a full service designing and building firm that offers a variety of residential and commercial services. We can help you with landscape design, landscape construction, building construction, and more. Our professionals have 20 years of design experience. We work with LEED certified, Green Point Rated, and standard properties. We focus on designing you a landscape that is efficient and beautiful with natural products from plants to patios, and with the implementation of water and energy conservation. We also renovate homes and offer them up for sale, providing you with stylish living at affordable prices. Everything we do is environmentally friendly, with great craftsmanship, so you will always get the best in quality whether you need landscape design and building or one of our other services. Contact the professionals at Stout Design-Build in Los Angeles, CA to get beautiful landscape design and professional quality services. Call 310-876-1018 to set up your consultation!

Tongue & Groove Design + Build

Wiggle your toes in the soft sand and enjoy.
Photo of a contemporary garden in Wilmington with a fire feature.

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

Pergola

CHIP-N-DALE'S CUSTOM LANDSCAPING

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard full sun garden in Las Vegas with a fire feature.

Amazing Berkeley Back Yard

Sarah Herman Landscape Design

You can read more about the project through this Houzz Feature link: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/hillside-yard-offers-scenic-views-and-space-for-contemplation-stsetivw-vs~131483772

Garden of Splendor

flora Distinctive Landscapes

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a metal fence.

Surfer's Paradise, Hollister Ranch

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Cedar spa and flagstone deck look out over tranquil ocean view. This is quite a lovely retreat!! Heaven on earth! All Margie could think of while on this site was, "All I need is a tent out here with this view and I'd be happy." The small weekend home on the flank of the rolling grassy coastal plain in Hollister Ranch (near Gaviota, CA) faces breath-taking panoramic views of ocean, islands, coastal plain, foothills and mountains. Holly Lepere

Natural fire havan

Bayon Gardens

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard garden in Melbourne with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Jade Woods Retreat

Quinn Craughwell Landscape Architects

Perched atop a wooded ridge sits a private retreat immersed in the beauty of a mature hardwood forest. The landscape interventions all seek to highlight the natural beauty and exist in harmony with the present ecosystem. At the main level, Tennessee sandstone slabs set in grassed joints form permeable walkways and patios that deconstruct the architecture's stone facade and extend the main entrance into the arrival court. At basement level, a stone retaining wall forms the backbone to two gathering areas; one with a curtain fountain and the other around a stone fire pit. Native plantings seamlessly tie the garden spaces together and provide year-round interest, both visually and in terms of wildlife habitat. Photography (c) Graham Landscape Architecture or used by permission.

Kentfield, CA, Low Maintenance Garden with Fire Pit - Lawn replaced with DG (De

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Landscape Designer Eileen Kelly replaced the patchy lawn with decomposed granite, new planting beds filled with low-water plants and a creative cauldron retrofitted into a gas fire pit. Photo: Eileen Kelly © Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com/portfolio/kentfieldreplacedlawn.html

Detail 'stallion wire' vines

BE Landscape Design

This growing family needed to maximize their outdoor space. BE Landscape Design, elevated the Master BR deck, and fire-pit, designed a multi level BBQ for easy access to both lounge and dining areas. The retaining wall was removed and replaced with a nook for a built in dining bench. The large retaining wall was painted graphite grey, and faced with sturdy 'stallion wire' to support scented and flowering vines. The hillside was planted with native and shade tolerant plants.

Central Orange County

Tech Ambassadors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in Orange County with a fire feature and gravel.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Fire Feature

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.