If you're thinking of refreshing your yard’s landscape design, there are various approaches that you can try. If you want a functional and sustainable space, contemporary landscape design is the right fit. To implement the best contemporary landscaping ideas, it’s important to understand the key elements and the history of contemporary landscaping. This blog will take you through different contemporary landscape ideas, their key elements, and their history.
Understanding Contemporary Landscape
Before exploring contemporary landscaping ideas, let's understand what a contemporary landscape actually is. Contemporary landscaping is an evolving style, preferred by many in modern days. Contemporary landscaping and modern landscape look similar, but they are different.
History Of Landscape Design
Contemporary landscape design has been widely influenced by diverse cultural and environmental factors. In the early 20th century, landscape designers mainly focused on functionality, simplicity, and efficiency. However, over the years, contemporary landscape design became an important part of the environmental movement of the 60s and 70s, pushing it towards sustainability. Contemporary landscaping design continues to evolve and adapt, inspired by the sustainability movement. However, now, modern technologies and materials are incorporated into the landscape.
Key Elements Of Contemporary Landscape Design
There are various key elements of landscape design that form the contemporary style.
One of the most crucial elements of contemporary landscaping design is to consider the existing features in your yard and improve them to keep pace with the current trends.
A contemporary landscape design aims to balance aesthetics in the outdoor space with functionality while keeping pace with current trends.
Contemporary Landscaping Ideas
1. Plant Some Natives
Begin your contemporary landscaping journey with some native species. Plant them in your yard to bring in long-term viability. Planting native species doesn't require major maintenance or attention. Native plants are sustainable because they are inherently made to thrive in your yard. Native species will also support the natural biodiversity of your yard, an essential feature of contemporary landscaping.
2. Embrace Simplicity
Contemporary landscaping is mostly minimalist, meaning limiting the use of colors, materials, and textures in landscape design. Only simple shapes and clean lines should be used. For a smooth look, choose one or two plants that you love and repeat them multiple times in your yard. In the same way, choose a single type of paver rather than mixing materials.
3. Minimalist Decor And Furniture
Make sure that you do not overdecorate your space. For a contemporary, sleek landscape, bring in practical decorative items, such as a small planter filled with herbs and small artistic structures.
Bring in minimalist yet functional furniture pieces, such as built-in seating, plush upholstered seating, and a pair of chairs, along with soft lighting for a modern feel. White, sleek, poolside chairs, a light-coloured patio with a fire pit, and some warm lights can make your yard look like a mid-century modern landscape.
4. Contemporary Pergolas and Deck
Pergolas are one of the key elements in a contemporary landscape. Pergolas are simple, minimalist structures that add functionality to any space and provide shade for enjoying the rain while sipping coffee. Complete the look by adding minimal modern furniture pieces. A cedar deck with an outdoor fireplace and a pergola creates the perfect space for dining and relaxing with family or friends.
5. Add a Water Feature
For a peaceful environment in your yard, bring in water features such as a cascade, fountain, pond, or modern pool. A calm water feature creates soothing sounds that relax the mind and also draw wildlife. For a modern look of your yard, choose a water feature with sharp angles, fading edges, and clean lines.
6. Combine Furnishings and Artful Touches
It is challenging to combine a minimalist personality with a contemporary landscaping style. However, it's not impossible. Any design is at its best when it connects with your surroundings and personal touches.
7. Include Decorative Lighting
Lighting plays a role in enhancing aesthetics and functionality in contemporary landscaping. Various lighting features, such as path lights, spotlights, and uplights, can be considered. They add depth to the space and highlight important spots. This makes your yard safe and useful even when it gets dark.
8. Include a Privacy Screen
If your yard fence is too short to bring in some privacy, or if you live very close to your neighbors, include a modern privacy screen or garden wall. For enhancing the patio seating area, use a pair of stylish wood panels. To further enhance the space, add some flowing textiles with warm wood-like textures. There are various easy ways to upgrade your garden walls and make them visually appealing. You can do this by incorporating some tropical planters and soothing waterfalls. This will help add color, energy, and harmony to your space. You can also add a seating area near the wall, hang planters, and add a mirror to enhance the look of your backyard.
9. Outdoor Movie Theatre
If you want to make your outdoor space more enjoyable, what could be a better idea than creating an outdoor movie theatre? Set up an all-weather screen structure, cozy seating with a pair of blankets, and throw pillows to add coziness. If you want a hillside feel, surround the lawn with stone walls, add decorative gravel along the lawn, and decorate the seating area by planting shrubs and other ornamental plants. This will give a perfect hillside feel, especially on a starry night. Turn on the warm lights to enhance the ambiance.
10. Tropical Style
Include some large-leafed, deep-green tropical plants near the fire pit. Consider bringing in plants that need less water. For instance, you can include drought-tolerant plants like tall palms, pineapple, guava, or a giant bird of paradise to enrich the space. For a bold, colorful look, bring in plants like bougainvillea and hibiscus, and layer the ground, as tropical plantings are usually dense.
11. Xeriscape Design
Xeriscape design is also a type of contemporary landscaping idea. This design requires no irrigation and features permeable gravel and native plants that require minimal maintenance and are eco-friendly. This neutral style goes well with almost every home type.
12. Garden With Edible Element
According to the 2020 trends report, most homeowners chose edible landscaping in their yards, including fruit trees, raised beds, and herb gardens. Rosemary and sage are edible plants that can easily grow in different climates. They can be planted both in pots and in the ground. For easy access and maintenance, grow your edible plants on raised beds.
13. Modern Bohemian
In modern bohemian design, furniture is mixed and matched with white fabrics, wicker details, and warm wooden shades. Include container plants with large, deep green leaves, string lights, and neutral outdoor rugs. A bohemian landscape feels breezy and comfortable despite having a lot of stuff. Layer the plants by height and texture for a balanced look.
14. Rustic Style
To create a rustic yard, focus on organic, natural elements like gravel, wood, and mulch, and on casual planting of textural plants. Add a modern look using rustic items like built-ins and concrete pavers. You can also add a strong wood accent to the plants and the hardscape. You can also place a wood-fired oven.
Additional Contemporary Landscaping Tips
Here are some extra tips for contemporary landscaping design:
- Decide on the backyard's use before planning the landscaping design. See if you intend to use it as a dining area, a playful spot for your children, a relaxing space, or a vegetable garden. Then, design the landscape.
- Decide on the furniture, decorative items, and plants you want to add to complement your home's exterior.
- Before upgrading your backyard, make sure that you've estimated the budget. Consider budget-friendly options, but don’t compromise on the quality.
- Use plants in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as trees, shrubs, perennials, and ground covers.
- Showcase beautiful plants in hanging baskets, pots, raised beds, and window boxes.
- If you've included a dining area in your yard, ensure there's enough space for your guests to move around freely, and also get in and out of their dining chairs.
- Connect your outdoor living area with a pathway, an arbor, or a landing.
- Include art pieces in the form of wall art, rain chains, bird baths, stonework, mosaics, fountains, or trellises.
Conclusion
A contemporary landscape design makes your space both functional and visually pleasing. From native plant species to decorative items, there are various options you can incorporate to maximize the use of the available space to add a contemporary landscape design. This design is sustainable and has evolved over the years.
