Grasses and bamboo provide graceful movement to the planting

CLIFFSIDE GARDEN

Ron Herman Landscape Architect

Brooklyn Rooftop Garden 3

Little Miracles Designs

Lower level garden

ULTRA MODERN HERTFORDSHIRE HOME

Jonathan Little Photography

Jonathan Little

Terrassengarten mit Pool

blocher partners

Bermondsey Roof Garden

Hamilton Cody Garden Design

City Roof Deck

A Small Green Space

Park Avenue Roof Terrace

Marpillero Pollak Architects

A roof terrace brings nature to an urban terrain, forging relationships with surrounding high-rise buildings.

New York City Rooftop

Till Gardens

This New York City Rooftop was constructed to be an urban oasis for our clients. Plantings included some traditional elements with boxwood and a mix of more wild perennials and grasses. The rooftop skyline overlooks the new the World Trade Center Freedom Tower. Architecture: Brad Floyd Architect Landscape Design: LALH Landscape Design Landscape Contractor: Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens

Abbotsford Townhouse

Jasmine McClelland Design

Abbotsford townhouse rooftop

New York City Gardens - TriBeCa

GardenWorks Boston, LLC

This TriBeCa roof terrace was built from the roof up, first by by laying a New York Bluestone patio, then by installing all-season stainless steel appliances, a sink and Bluestone countertops. It also featured 80 linear feet of curved steel planters with galvanized metal liners designed to create a flowing, natural effect.

Outdoor Kitchen by Vert Gardens

User

Chelsea Terrace II

Wrigleyville Wonder

Chicago Roof Deck & Garden

Garden

C & A Custom Builders, Inc.

Roof Terrace Garden | Tunbridge Wells

Luxury Garden Design

UES ROOFTOP TERRACE

Amber Freda Garden Design

Even a small space can become an inviting oasis with just the right planning and finishing touches. Our redesign of this rooftop terrace on Manhattan’s Upper East Side included brown bamboo roll fencing to cover an existing bland looking frosted glass divider (check out the before photo on our blog). We love the Huron Lounge chairs our client chose from West Elm. Other design elements include black fiberglass planters and black metal low-voltage LED up-lights in all the planters. The plantings include red weeping maples, junipers, Tardiva hydrangeas, boxwoods, yellow knockout roses, and wine colored coleus. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Rooftop Gardens

Aralia: Innovation in Landscape Design

Aralia Gardens Limited. www.aralia.org.uk

Best Sustainable Home MBAV North East Regional Awards 2015

Hedger Constructions Pty Ltd

Clients provided a brief of a home constructed to exacting standards which would make both a statement within the township of Marysville and reflect a link to the town’s uniqueness within its geographical setting. The house had a dual purpose of being a retreat for the clients from their busy schedule of Melbourne life and to facilitate a bed & breakfast scenario for guests. These components were to be integrated into the sloping block and an external cladding of spotted gum and stone complete with a roof top garden blend the construction to its surroundings in a seamless fashion. It was also noted that the house was to be family friendly with a recreation area including fireman’s pole climbing wall and in-ground trampoline. The multi-purpose room was designed for the use of yoga classes for guests. The design of the home was meant to maximise the setting and surrounds and to allow for flexibility in use. The home was also designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind and the use of re-cycled materials were subtly incorporated. The external timber and stone cladding blends with the surrounds and with the roof top garden in place on the main building and the multi-purpose room, the outlook from the patio deck is one that allows for escape from the town life. Internally the home is modular in design with extensive modern kitchen, laundry and bathrooms fully appointed and the double storey aspect allows privacy upstairs when required. Guests can also take advantage of the cleverly incorporated climbing wall, fireman’s pole and in ground trampoline allowing children to be active whilst the underground storage room allows for items to be hidden from view, maximising space. Careful attention to sustainability was a key component of the client brief. As such an 8.4 rating was achieved for the energy rating. This included, foam panel to under slabs, double block reinforced concrete walls, extensive wall and ceiling insulation, complete sealing of gaps through the use of rock wood and the thermal qualities of the soil roof top garden. The clients were keen to use recycled materials where possible and the use of recycled ironbark is integral to the design. The sweeping landscaped gardens are also significant in both complexity of working to the slope of the block and linking to the building. The home is innovative in the distinct design and the use of the block to fulfill functionality in use.

Contemporary Garden

Highrise Balcony Garden

City Botanics

Contemporary Rooftop 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.