Dramatic plant textures, modern hardscaping and sharp angles enhanced this mid-century modern bungalow. Soft plants were chosen to contrast with the sharp angles of the pathways and hard edges of the MCM home, while providing all-season interest. Horizontal privacy screens wrap the front porch and create intimate garden spaces – some visible only from the street and some visible only from inside the home. The front yard is relatively small in size, but full of colorful texture.

Valley Club Mid-Century

DD Ford Construction

Jim Bartsch Photography
Large midcentury backyard full sun formal garden in Santa Barbara with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Courtyard Landscape Design Gresham Oregon

Ross NW Watergardens

Baker Blue granite boulders were used to add a sense of age and permanence to the garden. Landscape Design and pictures by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens

Abrams Residence

The Slevin Group Inc

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury front yard full sun formal garden in New York with mulch.

Shangrila - Marin County, CA

BK Interior Design

Hugo guards the entry to the back yard. Guests can either enter the back yard through the gates concealed entrance, or turn right and walk down the paved path to the front door. This space is a main garden feature that displays plant varietals from all over the world.

MIDCENTURY MODERN

Fair Studio - Email Us Directly: Hello@Fair.Studio

Timber tech decking, black concrete steps and a concrete patio allowed for beautiful contrast in the hard-landscaped materials.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden for fall in Los Angeles with with path and decking.

Stevens Residence

Vitus Mataré & Associates, Inc.

Photo: Tom Hofer
Inspiration for a large midcentury backyard formal garden in Los Angeles with a vegetable garden.

Mid-Century Modern

Designs by Sundown

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury side yard partial sun formal garden in Denver with gravel.

Davis Residential

ArchiPars

The client had a dream house for a long time and a limited budget for a ranch-style singly family house along with a future bonus room upper level. He was looking for a nice-designed backyard too with a great sunroom facing to a beautiful landscaped yard. One of the main goals was having a house with open floor layout and white brick in exterior with a lot of fenestration to get day light as much as possible. The sunroom was also one of the main focus points of design for him, as an extra heated area at the house.

Mid-Century Modern Revival

Coldham & Hartman Architects

Ethan Drinker Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury side yard partial sun formal garden in New York with a container garden and natural stone pavers.

Backyard for Family & Furry Friends

Ambiance Garden Design, LLC

Backyard Renovation for family looking to share time with friends and dogs.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Charlotte with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Fountain Garden

SilverSun Landscapes

Timothy Reed
This is an example of a large midcentury courtyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Tampa with a water feature and gravel.

Beaverton Mid Century Modern

Chinick Landscaping & Nursery

Containers, grass plants and columnar Hornbeams soften this brick privacy wall at the back of this new landscape. Design by Candace Chinick.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Portland with concrete pavers.

MCM Look / Blending Materials

Princeton Design Collaborative

Pivot Gate extends the architecture of the home and conceals the side utility yard . photo by Jeffery Edward Tryon
Photo of a small midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with with a gate, mulch and a metal fence.

Rudy's Outdoor Paradise

Horizon Builders, Inc.

Poured concrete fire pit, stepping stones and patio area. Changed out window for a sliding glass door to beautiful outdoor space.
Photo of an expansive midcentury backyard formal garden for spring in Other with a fire feature.

Backyard for Family & Furry Friends

Ambiance Garden Design, LLC

Backyard Renovation for family looking to share time with friends and dogs.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Charlotte with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

220 Northwest 12th Street | Delray Beach, FL

Pascal Liguori & Son

Pond
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury side yard full sun formal garden for summer in Miami with with pond and concrete pavers.

Laurelhurst Modern Garden

Northwest Native Landscapes LLC

Telgenhoff Residence

CLT Design/Build Inc.

The Telgenhoff Residence uses a complex blend of material, texture and color to create a architectural design that reflects the Northwest Lifestyle. This project was completely designed and constructed by Craig L. Telgenhoff.

The Soak Box

Hush House

This project combines three main strengths of Smash Design Build: architecture, landscape, and craftsmanship in concise and composed spaces. Lush planting in modern, rusting steel planters surround wooden decks, which feature a Japanese soaking tub.

Midcentury Formal Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Midcentury 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 midcentury 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 Midcentury Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.