TLC
Small midcentury sloped shaded garden in San Francisco with a retaining wall and concrete pavers for fall.

This was a garden space that was a blank slate. All that existed before we conceptualized this garden was water loving turf. BKLD added two outdoor entertaining spaces in this small yard with a colored concrete patio and a crushed rock terrace for an informal fire feature. Umbrella stands were poured into the concrete so that outdoor umbrella's could provide shade and not blow away in this windier corridor of Petaluma. Who's ready for a beverage and some smores?

Modernist Courtyard: Vertical Garden

terraneo landscape design

This Vertical garden installation in a small atrium, was part of our modernist styled courtyard project. The natural stone and bold green foilage invokes the midcentury spirit.

Beaumaris Modern

Genus Landscape Architects

Replanting of an existing 1960s Beaumaris garden. This space receives full afternoon sun and a planting palette of sun-loving species was required. The mid-century style and landscapes of Palm Springs were used as inspiration. Colourful exotics combined with local native plants create an attractive and sustainable garden.

Front Garden

Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design

Edward Cullen
Small midcentury front yard full sun xeriscape in Dublin with a garden path, natural stone pavers and a metal fence for summer.

Labor of Love Birth Center

Green Texas Lawn and Landscape

Drip Irrigation System
Inspiration for a small midcentury front yard partial sun garden for spring in Austin.

Montclair Residence

KDTurner Design

RPD Photography
This is an example of a small midcentury full sun garden in Boston.

Turf conversion to Drought Tolerant Landscape

Colwynn Garden Design

Photo of the space after work was completed. The homeowner wanted a drought tolerant replacement for their ornamental lawn and a tidier arrangement of shrubs that would reflect the clean lines of their mid-century home in Monterey Park, CA.

The Soak Box

Hush House

This project combines three main strengths of Smash Design Build: architecture, landscape, and craftsmanship in concise and composed spaces. Lush planting in modern, rusting steel planters surround wooden decks, which feature a Japanese soaking tub.

Courtyard Landscape Design Gresham Oregon

Ross NW Watergardens

Low voltage lighting illuminates the front walkway and screens. Landscape Design and pictures by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens
Small midcentury courtyard full sun formal garden in Portland with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

mid-century modern with an asian flare

Virginia Hand Design

two sources of sound
Photo of a small midcentury backyard partial sun garden in Seattle with a water feature.

Award-Winning Xeriscape

Arroyo Seco Construction

Water features and simple plant collections featuring specimen plants maximize small side yards to create calm transition spaces as well as a mini oasis for the master suite.

Carlsbad Juicing Garden

Jackie and the Beanstalk

My first week tending this garden I planted swiss chard and a new crop of kale.
Photo of a small midcentury side yard garden in San Diego with a vegetable garden.

Mid Century Organic Flow Drought Tolerant Lanscape

Daniel Bosler Foto

Detail of Red Hook Gravillea bloom. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Photo of a small midcentury front yard garden in Los Angeles.

Mid century Petaluma

BK Landscape Design

Mid-Century Modern Beach House

Wildflower Landscape Design at K&D Landscaping

Photo of a small midcentury front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with with path and gravel.

After

Tutti Flora landscape design

photo - T. Balak
Design ideas for a small midcentury backyard shaded garden in Other with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Montclair Residence

KDTurner Design

RPD Photography
Small midcentury garden in Boston.

Intimate Patio Spaces

West Winds Nursery LLC

Summer floral combination - Photograph by Katherine Palmer
Inspiration for a small midcentury backyard partial sun garden for summer in DC Metro with natural stone pavers.

Marvelous Mid Century

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Terraced Courtyard with dry creek and floating steps. Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Design ideas for a small midcentury courtyard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and gravel.

Small Midcentury Garden Design Ideas

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.