Small Modern Garden and Outdoor Space Ideas and Designs
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Joanne Green Landscape & InteriorEntertaining is truly important to this family so, after downsizing their home, they wanted to maximise their new outdoor space to allow for visiting families, and complement it with a minimalist garden that matched their new location.
There was also the extra challenge of finding a set of plants that would thrive in the sandy soils and salty winds.
To begin with, we excavated the site to achieve the right levels and centred the garden around a beautiful granite water feature, framed with Australian hardwood benching, timeless granite paving and charcoal pebbles.
The garden was built to reflect the coastal location, using a mixture of Treasure Flower, Mat Rush, NZ Christmas Bush, Grass Trees, Coastal Rosemary and the Purple-Leafed Sticky Hop Bush – with stainless steel light fittings providing a subtle, modern contrast.
The end result was a natural courtyard dominated by earthy, coastal tones complemented with crisp modern finishes – and a set of plants that would thrive in the surrounds.
Mark S. Garff, Landscape ArchitectIn south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Installed June, 2014.
Photography: Mark S. Garff ASLA, LLA
New Eco LandscapesPhotos by Anthony Crisafulli
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in New York with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Design ideas for a small modern back patio in New York with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Lifestyle Landscapes, IncInviting custom deck, bench, and screen off of the indoor living space of this Kirkland home.
Photo of a small modern side fully shaded garden in Seattle.
Photo of a small modern side fully shaded garden in Seattle.
Growsgreen Landscape DesignDesigned by Growsgreen Landscape Design: growsgreen.com.
Design ideas for a small modern back partial sun garden in San Francisco with concrete paving.
Design ideas for a small modern back partial sun garden in San Francisco with concrete paving.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignThe problem this Memorial-Houston homeowner faced was that her sumptuous contemporary home, an austere series of interconnected cubes of various sizes constructed from white stucco, black steel and glass, did not have the proper landscaping frame. It was out of scale. Imagine Robert Motherwell's "Black on White" painting without the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston's generous expanse of white walls surrounding it. It would still be magnificent but somehow...off.
Intuitively, the homeowner realized this issue and started interviewing landscape designers. After talking to about 15 different designers, she finally went with one, only to be disappointed with the results. From the across-the-street neighbor, she was then introduced to Exterior Worlds and she hired us to correct the newly-created problems and more fully realize her hopes for the grounds. "It's not unusual for us to come in and deal with a mess. Sometimes a homeowner gets overwhelmed with managing everything. Other times it is like this project where the design misses the mark. Regardless, it is really important to listen for what a prospect or client means and not just what they say," says Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds.
Since the sheer size of the house is so dominating, Exterior Worlds' overall job was to bring the garden up to scale to match the house. Likewise, it was important to stretch the house into the landscape, thereby softening some of its severity. The concept we devised entailed creating an interplay between the landscape and the house by astute placement of the black-and-white colors of the house into the yard using different materials and textures. Strategic plantings of greenery increased the interest, density, height and function of the design.
First we installed a pathway of crushed white marble around the perimeter of the house, the white of the path in homage to the house’s white facade. At various intervals, 3/8-inch steel-plated metal strips, painted black to echo the bones of the house, were embedded and crisscrossed in the pathway to turn it into a loose maze.
Along this metal bunting, we planted succulents whose other-worldly shapes and mild coloration juxtaposed nicely against the hard-edged steel. These plantings included Gulf Coast muhly, a native grass that produces a pink-purple plume when it blooms in the fall. A side benefit to the use of these plants is that they are low maintenance and hardy in Houston’s summertime heat.
Next we brought in trees for scale. Without them, the impressive architecture becomes imposing. We placed them along the front at either corner of the house. For the left side, we found a multi-trunk live oak in a field, transported it to the property and placed it in a custom-made square of the crushed marble at a slight distance from the house. On the right side where the house makes a 90-degree alcove, we planted a mature mesquite tree.
To finish off the front entry, we fashioned the black steel into large squares and planted grass to create islands of green, or giant lawn stepping pads. We echoed this look in the back off the master suite by turning concrete pads of black-stained concrete into stepping pads.
We kept the foundational plantings of Japanese yews which add green, earthy mass, something the stark architecture needs for further balance. We contoured Japanese boxwoods into small spheres to enhance the play between shapes and textures.
In the large, white planters at the front entrance, we repeated the plantings of succulents and Gulf Coast muhly to reinforce symmetry. Then we built an additional planter in the back out of the black metal, filled it with the crushed white marble and planted a Texas vitex, another hardy choice that adds a touch of color with its purple blooms.
To finish off the landscaping, we needed to address the ravine behind the house. We built a retaining wall to contain erosion. Aesthetically, we crafted it so that the wall has a sharp upper edge, a modern motif right where the landscape meets the land.
Terra Ferma LandscapesThe horizontal ipe fence adds the perfect modern touch.
Inspiration for a small modern side garden in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.
Inspiration for a small modern side garden in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.
Virginie Boinot DesignBackyard lap pool, and Jacuzzi.
Inspiration for a small modern back rectangular lengths hot tub in Los Angeles with stamped concrete.
Inspiration for a small modern back rectangular lengths hot tub in Los Angeles with stamped concrete.
Design ideas for a small modern front full sun garden for autumn in San Francisco with a garden path and mulch.
Inspiring Landscape Solutions by Parveen DhaliwalFairy lights adding to the relaxed vibe of the balcony garden
Design ideas for a small modern apartment mixed railing balcony in Melbourne.
Design ideas for a small modern apartment mixed railing balcony in Melbourne.
Xtraordinaire LandscapesSay hello to the Cosy Corner Oasis – a stunning backyard transformation that seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality. Our team, in collaboration with DeckCityInc, has turned a mundane corner into a captivating retreat that is certainly the focal point of this amazing backyard.
Key Features:
Barkman Concrete Sterling Broadway 65mm Pavers: The foundation of the Cosy Corner Oasis is built on elegance and durability. Sterling Broadway 65mm pavers not only provide a sleek, polished, and modern look but also ensures a robust surface for your outdoor space.
Corner Pergola Crafted by DeckCityInc: Imagine sipping your morning coffee or hosting an intimate gathering under the charming embrace of a corner pergola. This architectural element not only adds character to the space but also offers a perfect blend of shade and openness.
Composite Deck by DeckCityInc: Crafted with precision and expertise, the composite deck by DeckCityInc is a testament to quality craftsmanship. This low-maintenance, weather-resistant addition ensures that the oasis remains pristine and inviting throughout the seasons.
Lush Sod Surroundings: The Cosy Corner Oasis is not just about hardscape beauty; it's also a celebration of nature. The patio is enveloped by plush sod, creating a harmonious balance between the man-made and the organic.
Landscape Lighting: Extend the magic into the evening hours with carefully placed landscape lighting. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply unwinding after a long day, the warm glow of lights will enhance the ambiance, making every moment memorable.
Wandsnider Landscape ArchitectsLarge planter with Unilock Lineo wall stone and Ledgestone cap for wall. Unilock Artline pavers for patio with Lannon stone paver edging.
Design ideas for a small modern back full sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a raised bed and concrete paving.
Design ideas for a small modern back full sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a raised bed and concrete paving.
Studio Evloh LLC Interior Architecture & DesignInspiration for a small modern back screened metal railing veranda in Raleigh with a roof extension.
John Merrill Homes, LLCInspiration for a small modern front veranda in Jacksonville with with columns and concrete paving.
Amelia Bouquet Garden DesignA compact and modern garden design in Wimbledon with a focus on clean, modern lines and minimalistic planting.
Small modern back partial sun garden in London with a raised bed.
Small modern back partial sun garden in London with a raised bed.
April BalliettePhotographer: Ryan Gamma
Small modern back custom shaped lengths swimming pool in Tampa with a water feature and concrete slabs.
Small modern back custom shaped lengths swimming pool in Tampa with a water feature and concrete slabs.
Ross and Jack's Landscaping Inc.Photo of a small modern front formal full sun garden for summer in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Workshop11Shawn Lortie Photography
Small modern front veranda in DC Metro with decking and a roof extension.
Small modern front veranda in DC Metro with decking and a roof extension.
UserGOLD Laguna Pools
This is an example of a small modern rectangular swimming pool in Melbourne with decking.
This is an example of a small modern rectangular swimming pool in Melbourne with decking.
Small Modern Garden and Outdoor Space Ideas and Designs
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