Daryl Toby - AguaFina Gardens International

This small space was once the main parking area for this cottage lakeside home and was radically transformed into an intimate and inviting courtyard. Defined by a hand stacked fieldstone wall, granite stepping stones lead from the entrance of the garden and gradually wind their way over a stream bed and lead to the porch that borders the garden. Although set in a cold weather climate, the client requested that the garden be developed to have a lush tropical feeling yet remain consistent with the general surroundings. This was achieved by using a mixture of large leafed perennials such as Ligularia, Hosta and Petasites (Butterbur) ,along with various groundcovers and other perennials including Ferns, Iris and Japanese Forest Grass. The central feature of the garden is a naturalized meandering stream and pond filled with Koi. The use of water in the garden thematically ties the house and courtyard to the homes’ surrounding, an adjacent lake, and adds movement and tranquil sound to the space. Stepping stones appear to float across the surface of the water allowing the visitor another way to enjoy the space. Scale is essential with even the smallest detail needing to be well executed within such limited space. Photos by: George Dzahristos

Award Winning Spanish Modern Mash-up

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Mid-sized modern partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a water feature for spring.

Front Yard Water Feature- After

Roy Altaras Landscape Design and Build

Modern two tier custom design concrete waterfall.
Photo of a modern front yard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature.

Modern stainless steel water fountain and Garden

Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design

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

Camas Modern Landscape Design & Build

Ross NW Watergardens

The fountain features copper basins by Bobe Water & Fire. Landscape Design & Pictures By Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens
Mid-sized modern front yard partial sun garden in Portland with a water feature.

Apartment Complex Modern Fountain Wall

Majestic Water Spouts

Perfect for a home, but built into a apartment complex renovation project is this water fountain wall that is modern and clean. Water cascades from 5 2" Gallant Water Spouts from Majestic Water Spouts into a blue tile basin.

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.

California Modern Eclectic

Grey Leaf Design, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Minneapolis with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Orinda Modern Landscape

FDC Design Build

Photo of a mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape for fall in San Francisco with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Modern Fountains and Landscaping for Entry

Eileen G Designs

This is an example of a small modern front yard partial sun garden in Miami with a water feature and decking.

Modern Black - Grey and White Courtyard

Original Landscape Concepts Inc

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

Outdoor Fountain

Marcelle Guilbeau, Interior Designer

Design ideas for a small modern backyard garden in Nashville 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.

Park City Residence

Big-D Signature

Photo of a large modern side yard partial sun garden for summer in Salt Lake City with a water feature and decking.

Cougar Mountain Residence

Kim Rooney Design

Landscape by Kim Rooney Fire, Water, Wood, & Rock - A Northwest modern garden for family and friends
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Private Garden designed by John Davies

CED Stone Group

Private garden designed by John Davies, using our black basalt paving, silver grey granite aggregate and cedagravel.
Inspiration for a small modern backyard garden in London with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Los Feliz Modern Oasis

Becky Bourdeau Designs Inc

Shirak Agresta; Sidney Michael; Annette Gutierrez; Becky Bourdeau
This is an example of a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and gravel.

Modern Landscape

This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Denver with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Hidden Bird Bath Pathway

Campos Landscaping

Mid-sized modern backyard garden in Los Angeles with a water feature and brick pavers.

Inner Mission Modern Garden

Avant Garden

Inner Mission SF garden with water feature and horizontal wood fencing.
Inspiration for a small modern courtyard garden in San Francisco with a water feature.

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.