A shady front yard paver patio in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle under a large Sequoia tree. Corten steel planters with Creeping Jenny and Carex spilling over. The steel gas firepit brings warmth to the seating area wrapped by a cedar built-in bench.

Fremont Firepit

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects. The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth. Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography

Narrow Sausalito, CA Landscape Transformed For Outdoor Enjoyment & Usable Space

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

To gain more usable space in this narrow landscape and update the hardscaping and overgrown garden, my design reconfigured the pathway with poured-in-place concrete (cast concrete) pavers accented by Mexican pebbles and a stunning variety of succulents and other site-appropriate plantings that thrive in shade and part sun. We removed the tree to create a patio area large enough to fit a table and chairs for a small group. Non-invasive/clumping Bamboo was added to help screen the patio and provide privacy. Other shade to part-shade plants were included that provide a variety of textures and colors throughout the seasons. Low-voltage lighting was installed for safety and ambiance. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Cedar Privacy Screens

Farwest Landscape Design - Boise

Modern Garden with a rustic twist

Yorkshire Gardens

Within this garden we wanted to create a space which was not only on numerous levels, but also had various points of interest. This garden is on a slope, but is also very wide. Firstly, we broke up the space by using rustic sleepers to create several raised beds,as well as steps which lead to differennt zones. This helps to give the garden a more traditional, country edge. The sleepers were also used to create a winding path through out the garden, marrying together the various areas. The path leads up to the impressive sunburst pergola and circular stone patio. This is the perfect spot to view the whole garden. At the other end of the garden another pergola sits amougnst a bustling flower bed, and will be used to train vining flowers. Along the back wall of the garden a raised bed is home to a stunning display of wildflower. This plot is not only a fabulous riot of colour and full of rustic charm, but it also attracts a whole host of insects and animals. While wildflowers looks great they are also very low maintenance. Mixed gravel has been used to create a variety of texture. This surface is intermittently dotted with colour with lemon thyme, red hot pokers and foxgloves. Stone has been used to create a warm and welcoming patio area. Flower beds at the front of the garden can be used for veg and other leafy plants. Overall we have created a country style with a very contemporary twist through the use of gravel, modern shape and structural landscaping.

Contemporary Landscape

Contemporary Flatboard Picket Fence

Riverside Fence

Shade garden

A J Miller Landscape Architecture PLLC

A shade garden with planting surrounded on all sides by trees, perennials, clump Bamboo and a few shrubs. The planting is layered from ground cover and taller. The objective here is to create plant beds full of texture with mainly foliage. Mariane Wheatley-Miller

Front Gate

Keith Willig Landscape Architecture, Inc.

At this Palo Alto home, a concrete wall provides privacy for front yard seating. Existing boxwoods and dogwood tree at right were kept per client's wishes. (Photography by Paul Dyer)

Seattle Street of Dreams Back Garden

Lifestyle Landscapes, Inc

We designed these piers in the landscape as a deconstruction of the house in the outdoor space. This home was showcased in the Seattle Street of Dreams.

Prospect Heights Row House

Delson or Sherman Architects pc

Hulya Kolabas

Contemporary Woodland

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)

JMMDS utilized large stones, an array of foliage textures and tones, and dynamic bluestone placement to transform this side yard into a verdant and refreshing walking experience. The green, purple and white plant palette includes: Anemone hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ (Windflower), Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’ (Grapeleaf Windflower), Aster ‘Wood’s Purple’ (New York Aster), Helleborus foetidus (Bear’s Foot Lenten Rose), Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ (Coral Bells), Heuchera americana ‘Dale’ (Dale’s Strain Heuchera), Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’ (Coral Bells), Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ (Plantain Lily), Hosta ‘August Moon’ (Plantain Lily), Iris cristata (Crested Iris), Lamiastrum ‘Herman’s Pride’ (Yellow Archangel), Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’ (Creeping Phlox), Polygonatum commutatum (Giant Solomon’s Seal), Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern), Pulmonaria ‘Mrs. Moon’ (Lungwort). Photo: Bill Sumner.

Cable Railing & Metal Railing

California Deck Builders

Pottery in the Garden

Bliss Garden Design, LLC

Bliss Garden Design

18th

Artisans Landscape Inc

Barnard Farm

Shepard Butler Landscape Associates

Medina

ModernBackyard

Fence at Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Garden allee path with copper pipe trellis Photo by: Jeffrey Edward Tryon of PDC

Greenville, DE Landscape

Wallace Landscape Associates

Montecito Zen

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

Ciro

Contemporary Shaded 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.