Contemporary yard for a contemporary house

IPE wood at installation has the redder color.
Mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Edinburg Residence

MMD Construction

Mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in Other with a garden path and concrete pavers for summer.

Walkway Lighting

High Quality LED Lighting

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Landscape - Dramatic Transformation - San Rafael, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This San Rafael front landscape has been dramatically updated with a welcoming concrete pathway entrance, and complimented by a variety of architectural plants, hardy succulents, textural grasses and a majestic, fruitless olive tree. The dramatic transformation is enhanced by a raised corten steel planter at the pathway entrance with gravel and succulents. Two horizontal ipe wood structures provide contemporary accents. New raised concrete planters alongside the new concrete driveway define the property and showcase more colorful succulents. A beautiful gray house paint color and ipe accents complete the remodel. Drawings, Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design SEE PHOTOS AFTER 2 YEARS.

Dramatic Streetscape Planting

Eden Garden Design

Striking Texas native botanical design with local river rock top dressing. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Malvern House

V Three Architecture

Contemporary front yard garden in Melbourne with a garden path.

Black Bear

Environmental Designs, Inc.

We used a combination of precise boulder setting along with engineered concrete and steel walls to retain soil and artfully define spaces. Landscape Construction: Environmental Designs, Inc.; Landscape Architecture Design: MARPA

North Park Eclectic Landscape

Revolution Landscape

Colored concrete pathway with drought tolerant plantings and dry riverbed.
Small contemporary side yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Beckenham Place Park

Farlam & Chandler

Harriet Farlam
Large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in London with a garden path and natural stone pavers for summer.

Dana Point residence

Arc Environments

Design ideas for a large contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Wolf Residence

ZODEGA | TIS

Wolf residence (two years after installation) from sidewalk view. Custom concrete lawn pads (small) create walkway from drive to front door in a way that will not make a pathway in the turf as a result of foot traffic. While they appear to be flowers, this is actually Snow in Summer Jasmine (groundcover) which has small white and pink leaves that look like a flower from afar but are very hearty. Terraced look to the shrubs in the bed against the house.

Los Altos Hills

Sycamore Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary courtyard full sun garden for spring in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.

Drought Friendly- Native Style

Green Republic Landscapes Inc.

GRL-Motti Buskila
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path and brick pavers.

Northern Suburbs Contemporary Ranch

Reveal Design LLC

This front yard had to also act as a clients back yard. The existing back yard is a ravine, so there is little room to functionally use it. This created a design element to create a sense of space/privacy while also allowing the Mid Century Modern Architecture to shine through. (and keep the feel of a front yard) We used concrete walls to break up the rooms, and guide people into the front entrance. We added IPE details on the wall and planters to soften the concrete, and Ore Inc aluminum containers with a rust finish to frame the entrance. The Aspen trees break the horizontal plane and are lit up at night, further defining the front yard. All the trees are on color lights and have the ability to change at the click of a button for both holidays, and seasonal accents. The slate chip beds keep the bed lines clean and clearly define the planting ares versus the lawn areas. The walkway is one monolithic pour that mimics the look of large scale pavers, with the added function of smooth,set-in-place, concrete.

Pacific Northwest Outdoor Living

Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping

Maxwell Monty Photography
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard garden in Portland with a garden path.

Sunset Residence

Studio 342 Landscape Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun formal garden in Seattle with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Landscape - Dramatic Transformation - San Rafael, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

PHOTO TAKEN SOON AFTER INSTALLATION. SEE BEFORE PHOTOS AND AFTER 2 YEARS. This San Rafael front landscape has been dramatically updated with a welcoming concrete pathway entrance, and complimented by a variety of architectural plants, hardy succulents, textural grasses and a majestic, fruitless olive tree. The dramatic transformation is enhanced by a raised corten steel planter at the pathway entrance with gravel , Mexican pebbles, concrete pavers, and succulents. Two horizontal ipe wood structures provide contemporary accents. New raised concrete planters alongside the new concrete driveway define the property and showcase more colorful succulents. A beautiful gray house paint color and ipe accents complete the remodel. Plants include Lomandra 'Breeze', Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark', Thamnochortus insignis, Phormium 'Black Adder' along with others. Drawings, Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Malas Residence

Altera Landscape

Photography: Jeri Koegel / Landscape Design: Elaine Iverson
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Orange County with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Formal Shade Garden - Spring in South Border

The Crafted Garden

Shade perennial border in spring using spring-blooming plants that will give way to maturing summer species. Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba', Camassia, Columbine. Design, execution, photo - Susan Irving

Aménagement d'une entrée de maison

ENVIE JARDIN

Photo of a large contemporary front yard full sun garden in Rennes with a garden path and gravel.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Garden Path

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.