This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.

Contra Verde

TLC Gardens

Inspiration for a modern backyard full sun formal garden in Denver with a fire feature and gravel.

SimTek Faux Stone Privacy Fence

Superior Fence Co of San Antonio

Photo of an expansive modern backyard full sun formal garden for spring in Austin with a garden path and gravel.

Museum District 1 - Landscape Design, Installation, Maintenance

Hogue Landscape Services

Inspiration for a small modern front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Houston with with raised garden bed, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Modern Backyard with Colorful Gardens

Southview Design

When looking out the back window, the eye is immediately drawn to the garden. Acting as a centerpiece, the garden introduces color and texture into the landscape. Given the abundance of wildlife on the property, selecting deer-resistant plants was imperative. The designer carefully selected plants and shrubs that would deter wildlife yet bring color and character to the landscape.

Creative Garden Design and Landscaping in High Wycombe

Karl Harrison Landscapes Ltd

Designing and landscaping a small garden in High Wycombe. When gardens, like this one, begin with a design they result in a well thought out garden. Small gardens are exciting to design, they are even better to landscape, affordable and can be created in a short space of time. Multiple spaces with multiple functions were main requirements that the client wanted to use their new garden for. Karl thought it would be best to divide this small space into multiple rooms to make the most of the area. The wish list included a hot tub, lawn, decking, paving, planting and a new shed. Oh, and a natural water feature… To get your garden project started get in touch https://karlharrison.design/get-in-touch/

Modern Backyard Oasis in Moorestown, New Jersey

Techo-Bloc

This backyard landscape design is inspired by our Blu Grande Smooth patio slab. Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. It's smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

Ewing Gardens

User

Outside of the Ewing Headquarters in Arizona is this luxurious patio garden space.
Photo of a small modern side yard formal garden in Phoenix with a container garden.

Modern Front Yard Landscape - Racine

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

'Taylor' juniper were chosen for their narrow, upright habit. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Milwaukee with a garden path.

Private Modern Garden

Outside Collective

Christel Leung
Photo of a small modern backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Modern Rebuild on 10th Avenue & K Street

Laughlin Design Associates, Inc.

This large expanse of lawn needed a major make over. Designer added many color full water wise shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials. Took out 85% of existing lawn and added a new patio, steps, garden with grow boxes and strategic screens too. Designed for maximum enjoyment and preserving/enhancing their views while saving much water and maintenance. Rick Laughlin, APLD

Simply Elegant

Mariani Landscape

Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a large modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Chicago with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Custom Cut Lueders Stone Walkway

Eden Garden Design

Eden designed and fabricated this lueders limestone paver walkway; each stone was meticulously hand cut on site. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Landscape Maintenance

Tre Girasoli Design LLC

Perennial Astilbe/ Anabelle Hydrangeas and Grasses (Italian White Marble Tiles)
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Minneapolis with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Full Home Remodel

Pearl Remodeling

Gas fire place and modern sitting area
Photo of a large modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Los Angeles with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Whimsical Garden, Santa Monica

Gabriela Yariv Landscape Design

Jennifer Cheung
Mid-sized modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Mid-Century Modern Backyard

User

This is a small in-town backyard designed to have a mid-century modern look. The stepping stones are poured concrete. The turf is artificial, as is the the green vine material in the fence panels. Designed and built by Botanica Atlanta.

Contemporary Masterpiece

Noel Cross+Architects

Strata Landscape Architecture Frank Paul Perez, Red Lily Studios
Expansive modern side yard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel for fall.

Beverly Hills Custom Design

Intex Design and Construction

Custom Design & Build | Beverly Hills, CA
Inspiration for a small modern front yard partial sun formal garden for spring in Los Angeles with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Wood Fences

Dakota Unlimited

Custom horizontal fence design and installation by Dakota Unlimited.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Minneapolis with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Modern Formal Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Modern 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 modern 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 Modern Garden for Your Home

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