Lisa Cullen: Meandering gravel paths wind through this garden leading to the French stone fountain sourced by Eye of the Day, GDC. Year-round color of drought tolerant perennials; Mexican sage, nepeta, salvia mystic spires and penstemon.

11-seater bench pod

Mungo & Betsy

Curved seating space for garden or landscape

Artificial Grass Pool Project

DFW Turf Solutions

Owner had allergic kids and dogs, but wanted to use his beautiful large backyard. We installed over 10,000 sf of turf and now the whole family can enjoy their gorgeous backyard.

A Modern Masterpiece in Rancho Santa Fe

Charco DESIGN & BUILD Inc.

Diamond Beach: Coastal garden

Secret Gardens

This coastal garden is located 4 hours north of Sydney. This garden has been an ongoing project for Secret Gardens over the last decade. The original brief was for a ‘mini botanic garden’ which proved a challenge on a site with little tree or vegetation cover and limited top soil. The plantings are 95% native, from the establishing rainforest where over 25 varieties of trees have been used to the drier areas where Callistemon, Kangaroo Paw and ornamental grasses have been used in large swathes.The result now is an established garden that will continue to evolve and provide great enjoyment for our clients.

Hunt Club House

Elemental Landscapes, Ltd.

Paul Nicol

Front Landscape - Bel Marin Keys Lagoon Side Residence

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photos taken just after installation, there are more recent photos in this project. The front areas of this landscape were transformed from a tired, water thirsty lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance and a new driveway using large concrete slabs with small black pebbles set in resin. Plants for sun and part shade complete this project, just completed in February 2014. The back areas of this transformation are in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel http://www.houzz.com/projects/456093/Modern-Water-Side-Landscape-Remodel---Lawn-Replaced--Novato--CA Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Laguna Beach - Temple Hills

Corbin Reeves Construction

Windermere Garden

Britton Shepard Landscapes

Backyard garden on a steep slope featuring perennial borders, black & white color palettes, formal borders, living walls and a modern, yet approachable, aesthetic.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

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

Project Paradise! Everything including the Kitchen Sink!!

GLC Lawn & Landscaping LLC

Anything and Everything you could possibly think of to have the best looking outdoor haven you could ever imagine. From landscape design and install to an outdoor kitchen with a built in mini fridge and 2 fire places with outdoor seating

Harrington - Lake Minnetonka

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

Design Build: Rancho Santa Fe - Full circle

The Design Build Company

Hornbeam High panel hedging behind an oversized antique bench and large box ball

Alexandra Froggatt Design

Alexandra Froggatt

Contemporary Remodel

yardscapes Inc.

View of the new front entry landscaping with limestone walls and a combo of bluestone and paver walkways and patio. Planting beds have a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials to bring it all together.

A Sense of Place

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

A naturally beautiful view down the garden in the evening.

Lake House Lighting Project

Light Up Nashville

Low voltage landscape lighting around this backyard firepit and tree grove. Tree mounted downlights illuminate the trail between the home and the boat dock and firepit patio. Large tree grove with up and down lighting to create visual interest and beauty.

Diamond Beach: Coastal garden

Secret Gardens

Modern Plunge Pool

Space Landscape Designs

Expansive 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.