SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture - Montana

A forgotten backyard space was reimagined and transformed by SCJ Studio for outdoor living, dining, entertaining, and play. A terraced approach was needed to meet up with existing grades to the alley, new concrete stairs with integrated lighting, paving, built-in benches, a turf area, and planting were carefully thought through.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.

Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 5

Kate Eyre Garden Design

Family garden in London W3

Jane Ashley Garden Design

Colourful naturalistic planting in West London garden with sawn sandstone steps and patio and contemporary slatted fence. Built and planted the previous year so still maturing.

Wandsworth

The London Gardener Ltd

We were asked to redesign a large garden in Wandsworth, SW18. It needed to be child-friendly, with a sunken trampoline and a large real grass lawn and plenty of space to entertain and enjoy the sun. Also our client was anxious to keep the garden private, and to block views into the garden where possible. We were fortunate to be able to enjoy a number of mature trees in other gardens, and this allowed us to focus more on the medium and lower layers of planting. We mixed long-flowering shrubs and perennials with small multi-stemmed trees, all of which were planted with a long season of interest in mind. The planting around the sunken trampoline had to be kept low so the children could be seen from the house, and also robust incase it got landed on!

Sun Drenched to Shady Oasis

FormLA Landscaping

Whether or not the fire is lit, it is a favorite foliage-wrapped retreat for reading and morning coffee.

Lawn Area

Terra Ferma Landscapes

The upper lawn for the kids to play with a vegetable garden on the side

New build garden - Olympic park Stratford

Melanie Hick Garden Design

This blank canvas space in a new build in London's Olympic park had a bespoke transformation without digging down into soil. The entire design sits on a suspended patio above a carpark and includes bespoke features like a pergola, seating, bug hotel, irrigated planters and green climbers. The garden is a haven for a young family who love to bring their natural finds back home after walks.

Backyard Landscape For Modern Home

Big Rock Landscaping

This modern backyard boasts a light, neutral color pallet and plants like yuca an ornamental grasses.

The Lodge, Fulham Cemetery (Grand Designs)

Harry Holding Studio

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 spring, this lush space is an immersive journey through a woodland edge planting scheme.

Painted black timber elevation

Karen Parry Architect

East Vancouver Front Garden Project

Take Root Gardens

A stained cedar fence with entrance path leading into the garden

Best of Gallery

Pineapple Interiors

Delaware Street

darren reno DESIGN, Inc.

Cedar Garden Fence and Landscaping

The Lodge, Fulham Cemetery (Grand Designs)

Harry Holding Studio

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.

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.

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

Hurlisano

Banyon Tree Design Studio

A super small side yard garden measures 30' long x 8'wide, and incorporates, a raised ipe deck, raised custom steel planters, paver patio, custom sliding gate, new fence, an inground fire feature, and grill. North facing next to a three-story condo

Lotus on Orange

Josh Wynne Construction

Ryan Gamma

Garden

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Container gardens sit next to a concrete paver driveway and modern home just nextdoor.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with a Wood Fence

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.