Windermere Color

Olander Garden Design

Very private backyard enclave

Morgan Howarth Photography

Very private backyard enclave

Find the right local pro for your project

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East London urban garden

Nordland Landscapes

Modern suburban garden with plenty of space for entertianing and relaxing. Designed by Sarah Kay garden design

Paddington plunge pool

Think Outside Gardens

The renovation and a modern revamp of a grand Paddington terrace house for a large family meant that every space was carefully considered including the garden. The entry level of the residence was opened up and spilt into two levels with the garden doing the same to cater for the sloping nature of the site. Large Sliding doors at the rear open up onto a generous deck/ entertaining space. To one side is a floating style built in BBQ, designed to take up the least space its light stone benchtop contrasting beautifully against the charcoal boundary wall. The brief was a tricky one with the space having to accommodate off street parking for a 4WD size car, play space for children, adults entertaining, bin storage and plunge pool. The plunge pool was custom designed off one side of the deck (to allow for the car on the other) with a lockable sliding timber platform/ cover that when open is hidden under the deck. This meant no pool fences and a space that can be used as decking when not in use. At the rear of the pool a cluster of large contemporary cylinder pots with contrasting plantings provides extra greenery and hides a bin storage area. The pots were chosen over planting in-ground because they can be moved if needed making the space more flexible for the families needs. Three wide steps of the deck lead down to a multipurpose synthetic lawn area that functions as the kids play space or car-parking area. Two mature Kentia palms were replanted to add greenery and a canopy of fronds over. Bamboo adds further softness along the side boundary and will grow tall to screen the neighbours. A palette of charcoal, soft greys and whites has created a calming yet very functional space for a busy family.

Dining in style

greencube garden and landscape design

Outdoor kitchen, vertical living art panels and sunken garden. This small rear garden won a prestigious national award from the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). We have used sustainable Larch cladding on the retaining walls, a combination of granite plank paving and decking, softened with a mixed palette of shrubs, grasses and perenials to create a multi-purpose family garden used for cooking, entertaining and play.

Contemporary Shade Garden - Mequon

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

The shade garden demonstrates the importance of mixing foliage size and shape since the predominant color is green. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Architektonischer Vorgarten

Paus Gartendesign

Mountain Estate

PLACE Landscape Architecture

Contemporary Zen

Pristine Acres

Allergic to Bees Horizontal Fencing

Winston Fayer Landscape Design

The backyard is small and uninviting until we transformed it into a comfortable and functional area for entertaining

Estate Landscaping with Privacy

Burkhart Outdoors, Inc.

West Norwood Family Garden

Tracey Parker Landscape Design Ltd

This family garden was redesigned to gives a sense of space for both adults and children at the same time the clients were extending their home. The view of the garden was enhanced by an oversized picture window from the kitchen onto the garden. This informed the design of the iroko pergola which has a BBQ area to catch the evening sun. The wood was stained to match the picture window allowing continuity between the house and garden. Existing roses were relocated to climb the uprights and a Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ was planted immediately outside the window to give floral impact during the winter months which it did beautifully in its first year. The Kiwi clients desired a lot of evergreen structure which helped to define areas. Designboard ‘Greenwich’ was specified to lighten the shaded terrace and provide a long-lasting, low-maintenance surface. The front garden was also reorganised to give it some clarity of design with a Kiwi sense of welcome. The kitchen was featured in Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine, March 2019, if you would like to see more.

Sturgeon County Project

Isle Group of Companies

Let the Isle Group of Companies transform your outdoor landscape. We are Edmonton's top landscapers and the premier landscaping company in the greater Edmonton area.

New York City Gardens

GardenWorks Boston, LLC

This garden utilized available space with a stepped modular arrangement of plantings. The Dogwood tree flowered in Spring, while the red Barberry shrubs also add color. The Bar Harbor Junipers at the edge of the planters trail down, softening the edges of the Ipe' planters. The Ilex Crenata evergreens provide year round structure.

Crown Crest Home

House to Home Design Build Remodel

Modern Front Stairs

Big Rock Landscaping

A unique entryway that compliments the home's aesthetic, especially a contemporary home, can be a tricky needle to thread. But adding multiple sized cement blocks surrounded by pea gravel and ornamental grasses was just the right balance of visual interest without overshadowing the home.

Interior Spaces Designed by Customers

BC Greenhouse Builders Ltd

Interior Greenhouse Photos Provided by BC Greenhouse Builders

Native woodland garden

Native By Design Landscapes

California native woodland garden.

Contemporary 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.

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.