Modern Landscaping Ideas for Your Back Yard

History

With a history rooted in European garden design, landscaping design began in the U.S. at the turn of the 19^th century. Early design terrains modeled that of European gardens with lush foliage and vibrant color schemes. Modern landscaping design rebels against tradition. Instead of using a focal point in your yard and building outward as in traditional landscaping, a modern landscape is created using spatial relationships.  This means that modern design is follows the same rules as abstract art and modern sculpture.

Modern Rules: Water, Rock, and Earth

A common trend in modern landscaping is blending Asian and European design influences. Combining large rocks, running water and foliage in an unconventional way can lead to a beautiful back yard. Guests can retreat to built-in outdoor seating amid a stylish outlay of unusual substances such as plastic, steel and glass. Think of your backyard as not only a natural retreat, but a modern museum when planning your design.   

Small Yards

With a small, fenced in yard, incorporate large grey boulders in the center of the space for seating instead of benches. Have fun with contrast by adding the boulders to a backyard covered entirely in gravel or using bright green grass. The contrast between the shades of grey and the green add a sleek touch to your space. Frame your small backyard with tiny stones to complete the contrasted look. With the use of gravel, add a paved walkway over the gravel leading to the stones. A contemporary lounge chair in white or black completes this look. Place the chair on an elevated cement cedar platform near the back door of your home.

Big Yards

Running water is peaceful. Turn a large backyard into a contemporary masterpiece using water, clean lines and well sculpted foliage. Install a rectangular pond in the center of your yard. Surround the pond with a bed of small stones also in the shape of a rectangle. Add stone steps in varying shades of brown and grey leading to your pond from a seating area.  Your seating area may consist of contemporary lounge furniture in red, white or grey or can be a bench made of dark wood.  Plant small bushes throughout your stone surround. The contrast in textures adds visual interest and softens the stone design. Consider imported Japanese maple trees around the perimeter of your yard for an exotic touch.

Budget Friendly Landscaping

Modern landscaping designs should complement the architecture of your home. Contemporary homes with hard lines and muted colors are enhanced when landscape designs that add foliage near entrances or color to a patio. If you are working under a budget, simple touches such as adding a modern art sculpture to a backyard patio or trimming your hedges into the shape of a cylinder can bring a modern feel to your space.

Adding Space

If your backyard is a popular destination for entertainment, add a modern living space behind your home. Adding an outdoor kitchen for parties or in-ground swimming pool with unique architecture are fun solutions for maximizing your space while incorporating modern design. Steer clear of conventional rectangles or oval shaped swimming pools. Instead, opt to install an infinity pool or long, narrow lap pools for a sophisticated touch. Outdoor kitchens inclusive of modern appliances are a simple to plan as cooking equipment can be purchased in a full suite.

Turning your backyard into a living space helps you get the most out of your modern landscape design. Beyond the aesthetic value, combining functionality means you don’t have to make up for the lack elsewhere. You can enjoy a family gathering in the midst of your sleek design with less worry over damage to your space.