Scott Hutcheon
Inspiration for a contemporary garden in Los Angeles with a vertical garden.

Small backyard, rectilinear landscape design, permeable hardscape path with lush low water use plants for privacy and shade
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a vertical garden and concrete pavers.

Inner city courtyard garden

FCG Landscaping

On this project we had two small courtyards to landscape. A small front courtyard that was lead out from the dinning room and a rear courtyard with large blank walls as a canvas. Patterned trellis was installed to allow climbers to grow and create a greenwall over time with 1 mature sized maple tree the feature installed into a corten steel ring. Synthetic turf was used to keep maintenance to a minimum on this project.

Terraced Garden and steps on Santa Barbara Mesa

Cornerstone Landscapes

Flagstone patio with stairs and terraced gardens on hillside overlooking the ocean.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Santa Barbara with a vertical garden and natural stone pavers.

Chung

One Source Outdoors/One Landscape

Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in Las Vegas with a vertical garden and concrete pavers for summer.

Moonee Ponds - Vine St 2.0

Boodle Concepts

New side garden in Melbourne, featuring magnolia espalier trees, trained to grow along architectural cable trellis. Garden Design & installation by Boodle Concepts landscapes.

Decking

Galimberti - Legno e Bioedilizia

Cortile interno con pavimentazione in legno e muri in cls armato
This is an example of a contemporary side yard shaded driveway in Milan with a vertical garden and decking.

Rose Bay landscape design

Secret Gardens

Secret Gardens has been developing this stunning harbourside garden over a number of years. A simple layout at water level provides a subtle foreground to the harbour view beyond. Simple, modern plant combinations draw from a simple but consistent colour palette. The main courtyard space is the highlight . A five metre high green wall and water wall provide the backdrop to a large banquet seat. The built in bbq, retractable ceiling, customised firepit and coffee table provide options for year round entertainment. Extensive soundproofing was incorporated into the boundary wall as well as behind the green wall to absorb noise from a neighbouring property.

Fulham Kitchen & Gardens Extention

Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard partial sun garden in London with a vertical garden and decking.

Los Altos Hills

April Philips Design Works

Greenwall structure
Photo of a small contemporary backyard full sun garden in San Francisco with a vertical garden and decking.

Southwestern Foothills Contemporary

Beautiful Spaces by Jude, LLC

Jude DiMeglio Trang
Design ideas for a small contemporary courtyard shaded garden in Phoenix with a vertical garden.

Arcadia modern

Sacred Space Garden Design Inc

Sacred Space Garden Design, Inc
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with natural stone pavers and a vertical garden.

Contemporary backyard oasis

Land Studio C

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a vertical garden and concrete pavers.

El jardín de Alicia

Verdosea

Intervención integral en el jardín de una vivienda particular. Los muros que delimitan el jardín se visten de verde con el sistema de jardines verticales ideado por Verdosea, que lo llenan de plantas aromáticas. En el resto del jardín, se renueva el arriate perimetral, y se crea una nueva delimitación para éste. Además, las antigüedades conservadas por la dueña de la casa se ponen en contexto y cobran protagonismo, dando un lugar especial sobre todo a la bañera, elevada sobre una plataforma e iluminada en su parte posterior. En otra de las zonas de los muros límite de la propiedad, se disponen guías para que las trepadoras crezcan a su aire, invadiendo de verdor estas áreas.

Vertikal Micro (Outdoor)

Decorpro

VERTIKAL MICRO OUTDOOR Furniture – Outdoor Product Dimensions (IN): L13” X W13” X H53” Product Weight (LB): 37 Product Dimensions (CM): L33 X W33 X H135 Product Weight (KG): 17 Vertikal Micro Outdoor is a charming, decorative garden accent combining a slender, distinct, and resilient stand with a Cell Micro Tabletop Fireburner, a boldly contemporary combination resulting in a dramatic fire feature, as well as an optional terrarium. Primarily functioning as an alternative light fixture, with the use of a 13oz can of Fuel, this daring and durable outdoor piece can also easily be transformed into a terrarium to accommodate plants and flowers. Simply remove the fuel can and turn the Cell Micro upside down, using its base as a foundation for a variety of foliage as well as for rock gardens and pillar candles. For a unique and inspiring garden feature, alternate a row of symmetrically arranged Vertikal Micro Outdoor fireburners with a row of Vertikal Micro Outdoor terrariums along a courtyard walkway or a garden pathway. By Decorpro Home + Garden. Each sold separately. Cell Micro included. Snuffer included. Fuel sold separately. Materials: Vertikal Micro Outdoor (Fiberglass; epoxy powder paint, various colours) Cell Micro (8mm tempered glass, solid steel, black epoxy powder paint) Snuffer (galvanized steel) Vertikal Micro Outdoor is custom made to order. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Made in Canada ABOUT WARRANTY ANTI-SHOCK WEATHERPROOF LIGHTWEIGHT

Park Avenue Roof Terrace

Marpillero Pollak Architects

A roof terrace brings nature to an urban terrain, forging relationships with surrounding high-rise buildings.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary rooftop full sun garden in New York with a vertical garden.

Paddington Street Terrace 02

User

Elise Hassey / Lisse Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary courtyard partial sun garden in Sydney with a vertical garden.

Cloture 107

Hybridhaus

MBD Inc.
Design ideas for a small contemporary side yard partial sun formal garden in Boston with a vertical garden.

DCM Building Design

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard partial sun garden in Sunshine Coast with a vertical garden.

Rose Bay landscape design

Secret Gardens

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Vertical 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.