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

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.

Brownstone Backyard Landscape Design & Bluestone Patio

Dragonetti Brothers Landscapes

This is an example of a small modern backyard full sun driveway for fall in New York with natural stone pavers and a container garden.

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.

Dimensional Flagstone Paths and Patios

Avid Landscape Management LLC

A clean and efficient side path in Ballard. The concrete slabs are Abbottsford Texada (natural color), 24" x 24".
Design ideas for a small modern side yard shaded garden in Seattle with a garden path and concrete pavers.

A garden bursting with life

Georgia Lindsay Garden Design

A city garden full of life.
Small modern backyard garden in London.

Modern, Intimate Outdoor Space at Mesa Fire

TLC Gardens

Custom created shade sails provide compression and intimacy. Playful steppers were tested for optimal rhythm and flow.
This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun garden in Denver with a fire feature.

Front Yard + Backyard Design (Arizona)

Tilly | Landscape Design

Photo of a small modern front yard garden in Phoenix.

Stadgartenlounge

besgen Landschaftsarchitektur

Design ideas for a small modern side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Cologne with a container garden, decking and a wood fence.

Stadgartenlounge

besgen Landschaftsarchitektur

Photo of a small modern side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Cologne with a container garden, decking and a wood fence.

Modern Small Orinda Garden

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Small modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with river rock and a wood fence for fall.

Westbourne Park | Front Garden | Planting Plan | Plant Selection

Catnik Design Studio

Small modern front yard full sun garden in Adelaide for spring.

Modern Curb Appeal

Verdi

Photo of a small modern front yard partial sun garden in Austin.

Shade garden

A J Miller Landscape Architecture PLLC

The garden space faces North so gets morning sun then mostly in the shade. In the summer especially it is lovely to sit here have breakfast and later in the day under the large Sugar Maple a cool spot to relax and grill. I am asked all the time are there any shade plants to use! as you can see the garden is constantly changing from spring bulbs and spring flowers to summer and fall color. The gravel terrace provides a simple and affordable surface and very European.

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.

Woodland Contemporary

A New Leaf Garden Design, LLC

Shannon Russell / ANEWLEAF
Small modern front yard shaded garden in DC Metro with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Front Yard Simplicity

STC Builders

Photos by Joe Murgel
Photo of a small modern front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Toronto with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Horizontal boards cedar fences

Dream Fence by Fensu Inc.

This is an example of a small modern front yard garden in Boston.

Modern Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Reseda

Prime Gardens Inc

Modern Drought Tolerant Landscaping Designed and Installed
Inspiration for a small modern front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with a garden path and gravel.

Water Features

Pacific Outdoor Living

Design ideas for a small modern backyard partial sun garden in Los Angeles with a fire feature.

Small Modern 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.