Contemporary Fully Shaded Garden Ideas and Designs

Bird's eye view of lush jungle-like foliage and bespoke circular bench and table.
This is an example of a small contemporary back fully shaded garden seating in London.

Contemporary Landscape

Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary front fully shaded garden in Chicago with a water feature.

Brooklyn, NYC Backyard: Bluestone Patio, Bench, Planter Boxes, Shade Garden

Amber Freda Garden Design

This Brooklyn Heights townhouse backyard features a bluestone patio and custom-built ipe wood planter boxes. The quiet, Zen-like backyard is shaded by surrounding buildings, so we picked a shade-tolerant mix of dogwoods, rose-of-sharons, rhododendrons, and Japanese andromedas to plant here. It features a bench carved from a tree trunk. When choosing plants that will do well in shade, I find it's generally helpful to think about the types of plants that do well in a woodland environment. Read more about our projects on my blog at www.amberfreda.com.

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

Compact Urban Backyard | Patios

Southview Design

The Bluestone walkway and dining patio make a big impression in this urban backyard.
Small contemporary back fully shaded garden for summer in Minneapolis with natural stone paving and a vegetable patch.

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

Wolf Residence

ZODEGA | TIS

Wolf residence (two years after installation) from sidewalk view. Custom concrete lawn pads (small) create walkway from drive to front door in a way that will not make a pathway in the turf as a result of foot traffic. While they appear to be flowers, this is actually Snow in Summer Jasmine (groundcover) which has small white and pink leaves that look like a flower from afar but are very hearty. Terraced look to the shrubs in the bed against the house.

Cedar Privacy Screens

Farwest Landscape Design - Boise

Each cedar partition or screen is 7'H x 8'W.
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back formal fully shaded garden in Boise with natural stone paving.

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.

Folsom Front Makeover

Luxury Outdoor Living, Inc.

A once over grown front yard received a much deserved makeover resulting in an inviting walkway and sitting area near a water feature. The complete project was implemented by Professional Image Landscaping, Inc.

Contemporary Flatboard Picket Fence

Riverside Fence

This is an example of a large contemporary back fully shaded garden for spring in New York with a potted garden.

Front Garden Makeover

Fenton Roberts Garden Design

The Entrance way was made more interesting with the addition of four large troughs and a small selection of the clients' existing containers. These were planted up with a backbone of evergreen plants which are supplemented with annual flowers twice a year. Photo Jo Fenton

Modern Fountain

Kirby's Pools

Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back fully shaded garden in San Francisco with a water feature and concrete paving.

Romantic garden with veranda

Studio TOOP

design: Studio TOOP and TOOP tuinhuisjes, 2013 location: Wilp, NL status: spring 2014, TOOP tuinhuisjes, Weldam Groenprojecten, Van Bert (Bert Jan Siebesma) en OSH Hoveniers photo: Joanne Schweitzer, July 2014 An irregular lot, the challenge was to come up with a way to connect all its corners and sections. The pergola in the same style as the new veranda (pilot project for www.tooptuinhuisjes.nl) helps link the back section with the rest, as do the repeating benches. The planting is used to fill the space inbetween that winds organically around the structures. The paving is mostly crushed shells with alternating sizes of Schellevis pavers in the patio areas. The sunken trampoline and the room for sleep overs in the veranda make the garden extra popular with the kids in the neighborhood.

New Canaan Carriage House

Spring Lake Garden Design

Fieldstone steps to the back yard are accented with hostas, ferns, and various boxwood cultivars.
Photo of a contemporary sloped fully shaded garden in New York with a garden path and natural stone paving.

Small garden with a very steep slope

Yorkshire Gardens

The design brief for this project was to bring order to chaos. Just 13 metres from the end of the extension to the hedge at the back but with a rise of 4 metres. Obviously the slope was a major issue and there were going to be a lot of walls. Rather than use traditional masonry we thought that steel gabions filled with a local sandstone would give a different, more organic feel. As this garden is also supporting the garden of the next property the gabions provide the necessary structural support without having to use several tonnes of concrete. We also installed planting bags within the gabion stone so that walls will be softened with greenery. The gabion walls were very hard work. On top of the excavation we brought in 48 tonnes of stone to fill them. Due to limited access this was all done by hand. As well as the walls we needed lots of steps and oak sleepers fit the bill here. The lower patio was extended and the middle section is where the hot tub goes. Rather than the usual wooden shelter for the hot tub we used a detachable shade sail. The sails come in many colours and can be changed to suit the mood. The garden was to be low maintenance but we still managed to fit a few plants into the scheme and pots will eventually provide a bit more interest. To finish things off a small amount of lighting to give just the right mood at night.

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

Mercer Island sunken garden retreat

Lifestyle Landscapes, Inc

A private outdoor garden space on Mercer Island.
Inspiration for a large contemporary front fully shaded garden in Seattle with a garden path and natural stone paving.

House Nerd - Ariane Prevost Home

User

Design ideas for a contemporary back fully shaded garden in Perth with brick paving.

Modern Heavy Timber Curved Wall Home

Tomecek Studio Architecture

Photography by Raul Garcia Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This urban infill project juxtaposes a tall, slender curved circulation space against a rectangular living space. The tall curved metal wall was a result of bulk plane restrictions and the need to provide privacy from the public decks of the adjacent three story triplex. This element becomes the focus of the residence both visually and experientially. It acts as sun catcher that brings light down through the house from morning until early afternoon. At night it becomes a glowing, welcoming sail for visitors.

Contemporary Fully Shaded Garden Ideas and Designs

A beautifully designed contemporary garden is as important as the emphasis we place on the designs of our interiors. After all, our grounds (however modest) frame our homes and contribute to first impressions not only of our houses, but also of the households within. Options for garden designs can be as elaborate or low maintenance as your lifestyle and preferences permit – consider both your aspirations for how it should look and how much time you can invest in garden maintenance. Consulting a gardener or landscape designer will ensure you have a garden that suits your lifestyle, the local climate and soil conditions. But don’t forget that with Houzz your first stop can be collecting images of garden ideas and designs you love in order to inspire your garden plans and potentially share them with a landscape gardening professional.

How do I come up with a contemporary front garden design?

The priority for a front garden is kerb appeal. Begin by considering the area immediately around and leading up to your front door. You may want to opt for front garden designs that blend well with the style of your home – for example, abundant foliage and flowerbeds will perfectly complement a period property, whereas man-made materials, geometric shapes and contrasting textures are great ideas for a contemporary garden design. Even if your front garden is a small space, keep it tidy – if you have more space, make the most of it with garden ideas and features such as a manicured lawn, gravel driveway, water feature or garden fencing. If you don’t have the time or commitment to devote to gardening, then neatly pruned hedges, statement paving, hanging baskets, garden benches and outdoor lighting are all decorative, low maintenance garden ideas for your contemporary front garden design.

How should I design my contemporary back garden?

Back gardens typically offer more space than front garden designs and serve a more recreational purpose, so it’s important to know how you want to spend time in your garden before you design it in order to build in the features that you will enjoy. If you love relaxing in the garden and dining al fresco, think about patios, decking, garden furniture and BBQs. For the more horticulturally-inclined, incorporate flower beds, greenhouses or vegetable garden designs. Your landscape gardening professional can help you install structures such as sheds, pergolas and gazebos that complement your garden design, and artfully-placed garden ideas such as lawn edging and lighting will add definition to your chosen design.

How do I create a low maintenance garden?

The great news is, gardens aren’t exclusively for the green-fingered. Whether you’re not horticulturally-inclined or simply don’t have the time for a bit of landscape gardening, you can still have a contemporary garden design that looks the way you want by making some smart design choices. While many of us favour low maintenance gardens like urban gardens, roof terraces and patio gardens, lovers of greenery don’t need to sacrifice grass for paving slabs. Whatever you want from your garden, there are a variety of gardening solutions that can be built in to make life easier. For example, labour intensive features such as vegetable patches, greenhouses and flower beds can be optimised with an automatic irrigation system. These can be offset with fuss-free garden ideas such as hard landscaping, including gravel, paving or decking, and hard-wearing evergreens that require minimal upkeep. You might even consider replacing your garden fencing with slow growing hedging, which can be maintained less regularly than wooden fence panels. If having a lawn is important, there are different types of grasses in varying degrees of durability and maintenance. You may choose to take a more relaxed approach to your lawn – “wild” garden designs can have great charm if the grasses and flowers are chosen carefully. If you prefer a manicured lawn, it’s a good idea to invest in a “mulching” lawn mower that will recycle clippings and remove the need for cleaning up. Finally, there isn’t a more low maintenance garden lawn than artificial grass which can look highly realistic and keep your garden looking green. Garden ornaments are a great way to add interest to your low maintenance garden design – go for smart garden ideas such as solar garden lights which are both decorative and functional. Find some of the most popular design ideas on Houzz.

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