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.

MODERN BACKYARD REMODEL

Envy Landscape Design Inc.

Mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Stainless water fountain

Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design

Design ideas for a small modern side yard full sun garden in Houston with a water feature and decking.

Concrete water fountain

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Sideyard modern water feature. The fountain is located off the living room window to enjoy from both the living area and kitchen. Concrete stepping pads extend over the fountain and into the artificial turf area in the rear yard. Succulents and grasses are planted throughout the yard.

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. The slit in the white stucco wall is a spillway for a waterfall, which empties into the pond below and then recirculates. An elevated concrete patio is behind the waterfall. The original design was by Eric King but this design was modified and built by Botanica Atlanta.

Sculpture House Oakland

Dodie Shoemaker

California living indoor outdoor modern yard
Photo of a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Los Feliz Modern Oasis

Becky Bourdeau Designs Inc

Shirak Agresta; Sidney Michael; Annette Gutierrez; Becky Bourdeau
Design ideas for a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and gravel.

Modern Courtyard

Unique Landscapes Ltd

Design ideas for a small modern courtyard garden in West Midlands with a water feature.

Al Beadle Project

On Site Landscape

This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Modern Living

Aspen Falls Landscape & Construction

Myles Coughran
Design ideas for a small modern backyard full sun garden in Denver with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Entry water feature

DWY Landscape Architects

Privacy wall and water feature designed to block driveway at the home's entry while providing interest from the dining room. Photo by Greg Wilson
Modern garden in Tampa with a water feature.

Details

Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

This is an example of a large modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Plant Passion Garden

Plant Passion Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Portland with a water feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

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/

Exterior Services

Interior & Exterior Environmental Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun garden in San Diego with a water feature and decking.

Modern Black - Grey and White Courtyard

Original Landscape Concepts Inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun garden in Dallas with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Stainless water fountain

Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design

Design ideas for a small modern side yard full sun garden in Houston with a water feature.

Mid-Century Modern Backyard

User

Side Yard water feature

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Side yard modern water feature. The fountain is located off the living room window to enjoy from both the living area and kitchen. Concrete stepping pads extend over the fountain and into the artificial turf area in the rear yard. Succulents and grasses are planted throughout the yard.

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.

Modern Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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.