Modern Manhattan Beach Strand front yard with colorful succulent plantings.

Terraced front entry with plantings that complement the modern exterior.
Design ideas for a small modern front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with a garden path and gravel.

Clean lines, modern look

Urban Habitats Landscape Studio

A modern look is provided by the large concrete pavers and geometric cut of the garden beds.
Small modern side yard full sun garden in Vancouver with concrete pavers for summer.

Modern Tranquility

Campion Walker Landscapes

To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.

Step Renovations

Earth Art Landscapes Inc.

Regine Marsh
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun garden for summer in Other with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Ridgetop Modern Makeover

Native Edge Landscape

Native Edge Landscape, LLC
This is an example of a small modern backyard garden for summer in Austin.

Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Jeffrey Edward Tryon
This is an example of a small modern courtyard shaded formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Bentintoshape 48" x 20" Rectangular Fire Pit i

authenTEAK Outdoor Living

The Bentintoshape 48" x 20" Rectangular Fire Pit is constructed with 11 Gauge Cor-Ten Steel for maximum durability and rustic antique appearance. Cor-Ten, also known as Weathering Steel, is a steel alloy which was developed to eliminate the need for painting and form a stable rust-like appearance when exposed to the weather. The overall outside dimensions of the Fire Pit are 48” long x 20” deep x 20” tall. The fire bowl opening dimensions are 42” long x 18” deep x 4” tall. The gas burning option comes standard with a 75,000 BTU Burner and accommodates 90 lbs. of fire glass. Fire Glass sold separately. Options Available: - Wood Burning - the media grate is positioned 5” from the bottom of the fire bowl. (14" deep) - Natural Gas or Liquid Propane Gas burner kit - the media grate is positioned 5” from the bottom of the fire bowl and the fire ring is positioned below the grate. You would purchase this configuration if you are using ceramic logs or if you wanted to start a natural wood fire with gas. (14" deep) - Glass or Lava Rock burning with a gas kit - the media grate is positioned 4” from the top of the fire bowl and the fire ring is positioned above the grate. In this configuration, you would fill the bowl with fire glass or lava rock to just above the fire ring. The gas defuses thru the media grate and is ignited at the surface. (4" deep) Fire glass and/or lava rocks sold separately. - The Hidden Tank option comes complete with a glass/lava media grate and a propane gas kit for a 20 lb propane tank. On one tank, the fire pit will burner for approximately 8-14 hours. The overall dimensions of this Fire Pit are 48” long x 20” deep x 26” tall. Fire glass and/or lava rocks sold separately. Fire Bowl Cover constructed out of Cor-Ten Steel to convert your fire pit to a functional cocktail table when not in use.

Garden Transformation April

Herseys LTD

This is an example of a small modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Berkshire with with pond, decking and a wood fence.

Tucked Away Modern

Zach Of All Trades

Photo of a mid-sized modern front yard full sun garden for summer in Denver with with path and concrete pavers.

Modern Side Yard Gate

Conscious Environments Inc.

A modern horizontal steel (wrought iron) gate closes off the backyard. The double gate design allows for wide access.
Small modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with concrete pavers and a metal fence for summer.

Toronto Low Maintenance Backyard

Green Apple Landscaping

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun garden for summer in Toronto with decking.

Blackfoot Pass

Sustainable Nine Design + Build

Bocce Ball lawn neighbored by a turf lawn combines fun and sustainability for the ultimate backyard experience.
Design ideas for a large modern backyard outdoor sport court for summer in Minneapolis.

New bicycle parking in California Fresh Air Breakroom

PHASE2 BUILDERS INC.

When we first surveyed the site, we saw staff bicycles strewn around the space, mostly in hard to see places to avoid theft. As a result, we integrated a protected and hidden sturdy bicycle storage area in the space, keeping bikes safe and organized. The opposite side of this redwood sawn partition, we re-purposed an old bench from the site and integrated into the new design.

Kensington Garden

Fiddlehead Gardens

This small patio space and bi-level garden was created to convert a back garden space that was difficult to utilize for the home owners and their small children. A small lawn adds outdoor play space surrounded by screening trees and low water grasses, Pin cushion shrubs, Kangaroo paws and Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ to add to the soft light yellow, green and sage color pallet.

lower Forest Hill

Parkscape Ltd.

Our Lower Forest Hill project was completed in our 2017 season. It features a limestone entry wall, limestone clad steps and landing, modern black interlocking driveway, limestone flagstone back patio, covered porch and a walk up with a modern glass rail.

Beach Front Lookout

Louis Fusco Landscape Architects

Beach Front Lookout.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun garden for summer in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Landscapes

Beach Bum Turf Co.

Large modern courtyard partial sun driveway in Tampa with a water feature and concrete pavers for summer.

Modern Landscape Design and Installation

Prime Gardens Inc

Modern Landscape Design and Installation
Mid-sized modern front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with gravel for summer.

Contemporary Minimalist

Botalia Designs

Two years after original installation. Photo by: Natalia Lopez de la Cruz
Mid-sized modern front yard full sun formal garden in Miami with a garden path and concrete pavers for summer.

Finished Interlock Projects

Life Long Landscaping

These apartments were in need of some color and life. We added this raised planter bed and added a variety of plants that would suit the surrounding landscape.

Modern Garden Design Ideas for Summer

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.