The Lodge, Fulham Cemetery (Grand Designs)

Planting in the back garden for an innovative property in Fulham Cemetery - the house featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in January 2021. The design had to enhance the relationship with the bold, contemporary architecture and open up a dialogue with the wild green space beyond its boundaries. Seen here in summer, the planting is a base of evergreen textures punctuated with long flowering perennials.

A Contemporary Suburban Home

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

016_Statura Residence

RMT Design Group

Queen Anne Makeover

Urban Oasis Design & Construction LLC

These Queen Anne homeowners had completely remodeled their home and were looking for a low maintenance, enjoyable yard that would accentuate their views and provide outdoor space for their dogs. Another important goal was to attract birds and pollinators to the garden, in part for photographic opportunities. A series of Corten planters create planting space along the back property line while leaving plenty of room for artificial turf that the family dogs can enjoy. A recirculating urn water feature creates a pleasant sound, a focal point and most importantly, attracts birds to the garden. Privacy screens designed using OutDeco panels create interest on both sides and focus views to the mountains in the background. Front and backyards were completely redesigned for ease of maintenance.

Chiswick Garden

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping

Back Garden Retreat

Kath Baggaley Garden Design

The gloriously soft burgundy grass on the right is pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'. The tree on the left is a Jacaranda which was planted as an advanced tree at around 2m tall and has filled out beautifully.

East Dulwich

Emma O'Connell Garden Design

A bespoke cedar bench with in-built storage sits on a patio laid with stretcher bond clay pavers. A cedar trellis provides privacy, and built-in raised beds allows for climbing plants and specimen shrubs.

Sage-Scented Spa

FormLA Landscaping

A little splashing is a good thing here, as fragrant White Sage and delicate Lilac Verbena will enjoy the drink!

Barnes Garden & Outdoor Kitchen

Olea Landscapes Ltd

cedar fencing, garden lighting, porcelain paving with bullnose steps. outdoor kitchen with granite worktop, cedar gate and bin store

Brooklyn Backyard with Bluestone Patio and Cedar Fencing

Amber Freda Garden Design

This Gowanus, Brooklyn backyard features a contemporary design that incorporates bluestone patios with knotty cedar fencing and planters. We added a patch of sod for the client's children to play on. The plantings are mostly evergreens, with some deciduous plantings mixed in as well for seasonal interest. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Sidonia

Brookside Landscape Design

Fallen Leaves

Arbordale Landscaping

Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

Surrey

Ed Oddy Garden Design

Lake Oswego Custom Getaway

Grove Custom Homes

Design

Pacific Northwest Design and Build

Houghton Residence

Jovak Landscape & Design Ltd.

Call of the Wild Photography

Houghton Residence

Jovak Landscape & Design Ltd.

Call of the Wild Photography

E17 Secluded Family Garden

Sarah Kay Garden Design

Japanese Anemones and Miscanthus provide semi transparent screens to the rest of the garden

Homebuyers Display Southern River

Instant Gardens

feature wall with raised planter bed

Compact Urban Backyard | Patios

Southview Design

The Bluestone walkway and dining patio make a big impression in this urban backyard.

Contemporary Backyard Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Contemporary 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 contemporary 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 Contemporary Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.