Lowman Beach Residence

Rhodes Architecture + Light

Interior wood and steel screens create filters, dividing spaces while modulating light. Exterior screens of sustainable Resysta filter light and views inward while lending privacy at the entry to the Lowman Beach Residence.

Backyard escape

City Garden Company

Narrow Back Yard with Steep Slope

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

New hardscape floor with gravel, deck and colored concrete pavers. Steep back slope after. Pressure treated wood retaining walls to terrace the space and redwood clad facing and cap.

Highland Park

The Garden Design Studio

www.seeinseeout.com

Adam Harvell

Indigo Landscape Design

Tiburon Residence

Whisler Land Planning

Fences and Gates

G Brown Design

Photo taken by Michael Wonenberg at G Brown Design

Boreum Hill Brownstone Garden

New Eco Landscapes

Photos by Anthony Chrisafulli

The Cavalry - Full Yard Transformations

Cavalry Construction Group Ltd. (The)

The opposite view of the previous image. Much attention was given to colors and textures throughout. We never want to build an 'average' project when we can put in a little extra thought and effort, and make a project 'above average'.

Pasadena

EPTDESIGN

Jack Coyier

Amherstburg Front yard

lilydesign

This new beach front home on a shallow sloping lot provided the architectural bones to draw from. The front landscape brief was a coordinating space with curb appeal that could also double as an enclosed lawn area for their dog. Low custom metal fencing provides the enclosure and adding a layer of horizontal interest. Stone & concrete retaining walls mimic the house materials for continuity. In the rear - custom metal screens and corten planters provide privacy and detail and keep the focus on the beautiful lake view.

Barton Hills Contemporary Curb Appeal

Native Edge Landscape

After this home was completely rebuilt in the established Barton Hills neighborhood, the landscape needed a reboot to match the new modern/contemporary house. To update the style, we replaced the cracked solid driveway with concrete ribbons and gravel that lines up with the garage. We built a retaining to hold back the sloped, problematic front yard. This leveled out a buffer space of plantings near the curb helping to create a welcoming accent for guests. We also introduced a comfortable pathway to transition through the yard into the new courtyard space, balancing out the scale of the house with the landscape.

Lake Oswego Custom Getaway

Grove Custom Homes

Contemporary wide and narrow makeover

Land Studio C

San Tavaros Project

Red Sun Landscapes

Rock walk.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

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.