wa design
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in San Francisco with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Outdoor Learning Center

Integrated Design Studio, Inc.

raised veggie beds, sun dial, concrete walls
Large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a vegetable garden and concrete pavers.

West Coast English Retreat

Tierra Madre Fine Gardens

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard full sun garden in Other with a vegetable garden, gravel and a wood fence.

Secret Garden, Highbury

Jenny Bloom Garden Design

A small garden at the rear of a Grade II Listed property was extended beyond the original boundary after the client purchased the derelict and overgrown plots beyond. The original lawned garden space was redesigned as a courtyard using reclaimed yorkstone and a more contemporary 'secret garden' was created beyond the wall. A sunny chill out zone was created for the family to relax in, and a productive garden includes fruit trees and raised beds for growing vegetables.

Modern Cottage Garden- Innis Arden

Orion Rockscapes

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in Seattle with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Elegant Raised Vegetable Gardens

Nature's Perspective Landscaping

A space for growing vegetables and potting plants is made more aesthetically pleasing, with a geometric planter design, a large bubbling urn and natural clay pavers and bluestone slabs. A drip irrigation system keeps plants lush and thriving.

Vegetable Gardens by Gunn Landscape Architecture

Gunn Landscape Architecture

Inspiration for a contemporary garden in New York with a vegetable garden.

Contemporary Garden

CplusC Architects + Builders

Small contemporary backyard full sun garden in Sydney with a vegetable garden and brick pavers.

The edible garden / Garden for a London chef

Barbara Samitier Gardens

Anna Batchelor
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in London with a vegetable garden and gravel.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

GARDEN PROS

GARDEN PROS
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in Orange County with a vegetable garden and decking.

Parkwood Backyard

United Firm Construction

Mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a vegetable garden and decking for spring.

Lincoln Park Herb Wall

Brent Riechers Landscape (BRL LANDesign)

Brent A. Riechers
This is an example of a small contemporary rooftop full sun garden in Chicago with a vegetable garden.

Contemporary Cottage garden.

Yorkshire Gardens

Nestled within the Pennines, it’s hard to believe this idyllic country garden was once a public toilet. Demolished a few years ago, the land had been left neglected and was in serious need of refurbishment. We were asked to create a contemporary cottage garden, which was still in keeping with the rustic, rural architecture surrounding. We achieved this by adopting a heritage colour scheme. Foxgloves, allium and delphinium add subtle splashes of purple to the luscious flower borders. The stone patio and paths compliment the traditional oak decking and raised vegetables beds, while also adding texture. The addition of bright pots and painted lattice fence enhance this vibrant space as well as making interesting features. This once disused plot has now been transformed into a tranquil garden, which is modern yet perfectly harmonising with the surrounding cottages.

Contemporary Landscape

Inspiration for a contemporary garden in Other with a vegetable garden.

Eclectic Landscape

Arterra Landscape Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard garden in San Francisco with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Aerial Shot

Terra Ferma Landscapes

A different view of the entire backyard.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard full sun garden in San Francisco with a vegetable garden and concrete pavers.

Integrated seat wall

Natalie DeNormandie

Photography by Natalie DeNormandie, SegoDesign.
Mid-sized contemporary sloped full sun garden in Boston with a vegetable garden and brick pavers for summer.

Steel Vegetable Beds

Donna Giguere, APLD Landscape Design

Corten Steel performs as both retaining walls and raised beds in a tight space. Donna Giguere Landscape Design
Photo of a small contemporary front yard full sun garden in Portland with a vegetable garden.

Edinburgh Ornamental Productive Garden

McQue Gardens

Paul Johnston of Copper Mango
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard full sun garden in Other with a vegetable garden and natural stone pavers.

Burbank Elementary School Education Garden

Elizabeth Gourley Design

Photo by Glenn Wong
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary side yard partial sun garden in Boston with a vegetable garden and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Vegetable Garden

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.