Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

The bluestone entry and poured-in-place concrete create strength of line in the front while the plantings softly transition to the back patio space.
Photo of an expansive midcentury side yard partial sun garden for summer in Chicago with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Backyard Living on Felbrigg

Elite Concrete

An award winning backyard project that includes a two tone Limestone Finish patio, stepping stone pathways and basement walkout steps with cantilevered reveals.

Living Green Wall and Landscape Remodel - Mid-Century Modern Home Sausalito, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Detail of the concrete pathway with polished Mexican pebbles, steel edging and modern light fixtures. We designed and installed this dramatic living wall / vertical garden to add a welcoming focal point, and a great way to add living beauty to the large front house wall. The dated walkway was updated with large geometric concrete pavers with polished black pebbles in between, and a new concrete driveway. Water-wise grasses flowering plants and succulents replace the lawn. This updated modern renovation for this mid-century modern home includes a new garage and front entrance door and modern garden light fixtures. Some photos taken 2 months after installation and recently as well. We designed and installed this dramatic living wall / vertical garden to add a welcoming focal point, and a great way to add plant beauty to the large front wall. A variety of succulents, grass-like and cascading plants were designed and planted to provide long cascading "waves" resulting in appealing textures and colors. The dated walkway was updated with large geometric concrete pavers with polished black pebbles in between, and a new concrete driveway. Water-wise grasses flowering plants and succulents replace the lawn. This updated modern renovation for this mid-century modern home includes a new garage and front entrance door and modern garden light fixtures.

Seattle Midcentury Architectural Garden (after)

Michael Muro Garden Design

A variety of plants ensures there is always something interesting to see in the garden.
Photo of a midcentury front yard full sun garden for summer in Seattle.

Heinrich, Newport Beach, CA

Jeannette Architects

Sarah Robinson
This is an example of a midcentury front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Huntington with mulch.

Dry Stream Bed and Paver Path in SW Portland, Oregon

Drake's 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Center

Disconnected downspouts have been rerouted into these dry stream beds which flow into one another. In the Pacific Northwest where it isn't uncommon to have a rain event of 1+ inches, these Summer month beds turn into Spring and Fall water features. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

eichler in marinwood

building Lab, inc.

Eichler in Marinwood - At the larger scale of the property existed a desire to soften and deepen the engagement between the house and the street frontage. As such, the landscaping palette consists of textures chosen for subtlety and granularity. Spaces are layered by way of planting, diaphanous fencing and lighting. The interior engages the front of the house by the insertion of a floor to ceiling glazing at the dining room. Jog-in path from street to house maintains a sense of privacy and sequential unveiling of interior/private spaces. This non-atrium model is invested with the best aspects of the iconic eichler configuration without compromise to the sense of order and orientation. photo: scott hargis

Modern Prairie Front Landscape - New Berlin

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

The plantings surrounding the front of the home accentuate the prairie architecture. Westhauser Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Milwaukee with natural stone pavers.

Mid Century Modern

Outdoor Creations

Designed by Adele Ford & Susan Wilmott Photography by Ramon Lawal
Inspiration for a small midcentury backyard full sun garden for summer in Kent with natural stone pavers.

Mid-Century Modern Makeover

Heffernan Landscape Design

Removed old, tired landscape, and a large, diseased tree was taken down in front, which opened up view to house. We put in a very linear planting to emphasize the low-slung lines of the house. Redo of the landing and sidewalk to a generous size, in Smoky Mountain cleft stone, with a little accent wall to anchor the coach light. Also, repaved the atrium inside, with a bright Arctic Sandblast stone, to bring light to the dark interior.

Garden Courtyard

Scott Mehaffey, landscape architect

Scott Mehaffey, landscape architect
Small midcentury courtyard partial sun garden in Chicago with a water feature and gravel for summer.

Beaumaris Project – A Holistic Approach Delivers A Healthy Home.

User

Catherine Bailey
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury courtyard shaded garden for summer in Melbourne with a water feature and decking.

Mid-Century Sideyard Landscape - Fox Point, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

A concrete walkway connects the new driveway to the vegetable garden on the side of the home. Renn Kuhnen Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury side yard full sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a vegetable garden and a wood fence.

Mountain View

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

Modern landscape with custom IPE deck and in ground spa, drought resistant planting, outdoor lighting
Inspiration for a large midcentury backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with with raised garden bed, decking and a wood fence.

Holistic Modern in NE Portland, Oregon

Drake's 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Center

Another requirement of the Backyard Habitate Certification was a selective list of plants, proven to be favorites of local bird life. Many are natives and others meet other plant characteristics allowed. Japanese Forest Grass, a variety of ferns, Snowberry, Bleeding Heart and the like call out to to those soaring overhead. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

Mid Century Modern Landscape Transformation

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

With a limited budget, we were able to transform and update this front garden with a new modern pathway, a small patio, and a variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants. The black mulch completes this modern landscape design transformation. I included a selection of plants that provide a variety of heights, colors and textures. A great alternative to water- thirsty lawns, especially important for Northern California gardens. © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com/portfolio/midcenturymodern.html © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

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.

Water Feature

Maximum Landscaping & Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun garden for summer in Omaha with a water feature, natural stone pavers and a vinyl fence.

Possession Sound Remodel, North Snohomish County, WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Entry courtyard. Photography by Lucas Henning.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury courtyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Seattle with a container garden and concrete pavers.

Palm Springs inspired Deakin Project

Manuka Gardens

Our Deakin project’s oversized yellow feature pot has been the talk of the town. Our design brief was to create a Palm Springs inspired, low maintenance garden to compliment their mid-century modern influenced renovation. The addition of the yellow pot was the request of our clients and as you can see it’s a stunning focal point for their front garden.

Midcentury Garden Design Ideas for Summer

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.