Modern Garden Style: How to Design a Minimalistic Contemporary Garden (Complete Guide)

With design inspired by 21st century architecture, the modern garden style is perfect for trendy folks who love outdoor living and entertaining.

Seating areas and places to relax with friends and family are the heart of the modern garden style, while minimalistic design keeps the vibe restful and tranquil. Lovers of modern architecture will lean into this style for their garden.

In the modern garden style, the plantings take a backseat to the materials and the design of the garden itself. In fact, there are usually a minimal amount of different plant species featured in a modern style garden, with the species repeating throughout. The focus is more on the functionality of the garden, rather than nature.

Even the color palette is more limited – usually lots of greyscale from the hardscaping and décor, with pops of green from the foliage.

In short: for the modern garden style, less is more. This guide will outline exactly how to achieve this clean, crisp look in your garden.

If this seems too minimalistic for your taste, check out some of the other garden styles and decide which one suits you!

Facade and entry to a contemporary white rendered home in Australia - vertical — *This front entryway is a beautiful example of repetition in the modern garden style.*

History of Modern Garden Style

The modern garden style began with the rise of modernism in architecture and design in the early 20th century. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German landscape architect and one of the first to implement this “less is more” design technique. He designed many famous buildings and gardens all over the world and is considered a pioneer of modernist architecture.

In the mid- 20th century, American landscape architect Garrett Eckbo and British landscape architect Christopher Tunnard introduced a naturalistic approach to the new modern garden style, by incorporating grasses and wildflowers.

This became known as the contemporary style garden. It’s very close to the modern garden style, but with a few differences.

The Difference Between Modern & Contemporary Garden Style

The contemporary garden is usually more associated with a residential space, while the modern garden is associated with commercial spaces.

*Note the straight lines and geometric shapes in this overview of a hotel pool garden. The hardscaping is the main focus with some grassy green plants to fill the space.*

The modern garden style is minimalistic with hard edges and clean lines. These types of gardens are often seen in commercial spaces like hotels and business parks.

With slightly softer edges and lines, the contemporary garden has an emphasis on reflecting the surrounding landscape and ecology. There is usually more of a presence of grasses and flowers in a contemporary garden.

The contemporary garden has a great focus on the living/entertaining space of the garden.

Residential modern garden — *“Clean lines” doesn’t always mean straight – the curved staircase in this garden offers a fun focal point while still keeping it modern.*

In both of these garden styles, the plantings take a backseat to the hardscaping, furniture and décor.

In this article, I’m going to be describing more of what is technically considered the contemporary garden style. But, to keep it general and simple, I’m just going to refer to it as a modern style garden.

Maintenance Needs of Modern Gardens

Modern gardens are typically low to moderate maintenance. It all depends on the materials you choose to use.

Since modern gardens usually use a limited variety and number of plants, there is less need for plant care than in some of the other garden styles, like traditional.

As with any garden style, the plants you use will require general care like fertilizing, watering and pruning.

Some hardscaping elements that are used in a modern style garden like concrete are low maintenance, too. Gravel and rocks are often featured in modern style gardens, and these materials are more high maintenance due to the need to weed.

Water features like ponds and fountains are very common in modern gardens, so this could add to the maintenance level. Ponds especially require more cleaning than running water features.

So really, the exact maintenance level will depend on the design and the size of the garden itself, plus any special features. But due to the modern garden style’s simplistic nature, they are one of the lowest maintenance gardens you can have.

Just remember, low maintenance doesn’t mean NO maintenance! Here are some more tips for a low maintenance landscape.

Examples of Modern Style Gardens

Here are a few photos of some modern style gardens to get you inspired!

Seating area and water fountain in modern style garden — *Minimalistic hardscaping and a sleek water feature give this modern garden a peaceful presence.*

modern style garden with a pool in a courtyard — *The pool in this courtyard garden is a good example of how to play with asymmetry in the modern garden style. Just because the design is simple, does not mean it needs to have straight lines.*

*This modern garden has a strong focus on entertaining, with neutral hardscaping and all green plants. You can see that the seating area is emphasized by the pop of color in the throw pillows.*

An Overview of the Modern Garden Style

If you’re loving the sound of a sleek, minimalistic and low maintenance garden, here’s an easy list you can reference while you’re designing your space!

The characteristics that make up the modern garden style:

Clean, crisp lines and geometric shapes
An “outdoor room” aspect: living and entertaining spaces
Minimalistic design
Repetitive materials, patterns and plants
Smooth hardscaping like metal or concrete
Focus on the materials and functionality of the space rather than the plants
Relaxing water features like fountains or reflection pools
Limited color palette

Color Palette for the Modern Garden Style

plant variety and color range by garden style — *Modern and traditional gardens tend to have less color and plant variety than cottage and naturalistic style gardens.* *Sliding scale by Pretty Purple Door.*

The colors presented in a modern garden are usually monochromatic or pale. This adds to the restful and calming air of the entertaining space.

If you love the modern garden style but you’re a fan of pops of color, don’t be afraid to add an accent of some kind. Adding an accent color is a great way to add your personality to a modern style garden without compromising that minimalistic design.

modern back garden of the house — *This modern garden boasts fun pops of purple (in the plants, pergola wall and bench cushions) while still looking very contempora*ry.

What to Plant in a Modern Style Garden

Before you can choose which plants to put in your garden, you’ll want to determine your planting zone. This is going to help you choose plants and trees that will thrive in your climate. Click here to visit a site that can give you your planting zone by zip code.

Also take note of the sun and soil the plants will be getting.

Trees in a modern garden tend to have a more upright habit, so they become a structural element. Their canopies are not too large, and there may be several in a row to create a hedge effect.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) has an attractive shape that is a standout as a specimen tree in modern/contemporary garden styles. Zones 5-8.

Plants for modern gardens are all about structure and form. Use many of the same plant to keep in line with the modern garden style’s use of simplicity and repetition. Ornamental grasses with bold stature are also great for modern gardens.

color guard yucca — *Try ‘Color Guard’ Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) for its green and yellow spiked foliage. Zones 4-10.*

golden japanese forest grass — *Golden Japanese forest grass (*Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’*) is a low-growing shade-tolerant mounding grass that can be used as a groundcover in your modern garden. Zones 4-9.*

Hardscaping for the Modern Garden Style

Hardscaping is any of the permanent structures in the garden like walkways and arbors. The hardscaping in a modern style garden should reflect the smooth, sleek textures that the style is known for.

garden style hardscape materials from rustic to sleek — *More *refined materials will learn toward traditional and modern*, whereas more *rustic, distressed and bumpy materials make a natural or cottage style*.* *Sliding scale by Pretty Purple Door.*

For walkways, precast concrete stepping stones are a great choice and very common in modern gardens. They’re also inexpensive! Use repetitive geometric shapes in your stepping stones to reinforce the modern style.

walkway and concrete hardscaping in modern style garden

modern garden style patio and seating — *Composite decking is another smooth, sleek look for walkways or patios.*

For other structures like arbors and planters, concrete again is a great option, as well as resin and metal. Just be sure to choose a metal that won’t rust, like stainless steel. A rusted and weathered look is more along the lines of a cottage garden style.

Water features are also common in the modern garden style. A geometrically-shaped pond or reflection pool would add some tranquility to this outdoor living space.

reflection pool in modern garden — *This reflection pool’s geometric shape and smooth & sleek seating gives this garden a modern touch.*

Just like the plantings in the modern garden style, less is more for the hardscaping. Avoid choosing too many different types of materials. Choose one or two materials and repeat them over and over throughout.

Furniture & Décor for the Modern Garden Style

Since there is such an emphasis on leisure and entertainment in the modern garden style, furniture is a must.

This wicker couch and ottoman set is super minimalistic and would go perfectly in a sleek modern garden.

You might also like this similar modern patio set that comes with a gorgeously modern fire pit! Imagine the statement this seating area would make in your outdoor living space!

As for décor, just make sure to keep it simple. Keep in mind the use of clean lines and geometric shapes. Statues, sculptures and fountains are all staples in garden décor.

Using simple but architectural containers in the modern garden is a great way to create a focal point. Use bold plantings or even a single plant or tree to maintain the minimalist and tidy look of this garden style. This large, sleek garden planter is a must-have.

Whether created of concrete, ceramic, metal or even a recycled bowling ball, spheres become vital sculptural elements for these gardens. They stand out as bold art forms in a spare landscape. I love this mirrored gazing ball — it’s so modern!

Tips for Getting the Modern Garden Style at Home

Remember less is more – don’t use too many different types of plants or materials. I recommend choosing one type of “anchor” plant and repeating that plant a lot through the space.
Use clean lines and geometric shapes with planting and hardscaping.
Hardscape materials should be sleek and smooth like concrete or metal. Use precast concrete stepping stones or wood composite decking for walkways.
Have an area for sitting and entertaining. The furniture and décor should be modern in design as well.
Include a modernistic water feature like a fountain or a reflection pool.

Combining Modern Gardens with Other Garden Styles

It’s important to keep in mind the personalization of your garden. Your personality should come out in the space you’re creating, so don’t feel like you need to follow every rule or keep yourself inside one box! There are lots of great examples of modern gardens that adopted some features from other garden styles, like cottage or naturalistic.

modern hardscaping in naturalistic style garden from Phipps conservatory — This photo from Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh is a good example of a mix of modern and naturalistic style. The rectangular pond, wood composite walkway and limited color palette are aspects of modern style hardscaping, while the planting style is very naturalistic. Photo by Pretty Purple Door.

ivy covered pergola in an otherwise modern garden — *The ivy covered pergola gives a cottage style touch to this otherwise contemporary garden.*

My biggest tip for combining styles is just don’t over-do it. Keep it simple by taking the hardscaping elements from one garden style and mix it with the flowers and plants from another garden style. Once you get the hang of it, you can always make other changes or additions.

modern garden mood board — *An example of modern style garden mood board. Create your own in my Garden Style Mood Board Workshop.*

Design a Modern Garden That’s Uniquely You!

If you enjoyed learning about this garden style, you’ll LOVE my Garden Style Moodboard Workshop! We’ll talk in-depth about all the different garden styles and I walk you through my simple process for creating a beautiful, personalized outdoor space that’s unique to you. Come check it out!!!

Wrapping Up

The modern garden style is centered around creating an outdoor living space that’s minimalistic in design. There isn’t a lot of variety in the plantings, and the few varieties that are used are repeated over and over again through the garden. This creates a clean, restful look. Hardscaping is smooth and sleek, and décor & furniture is modern. The focus is on the garden’s function, not the plants. The goal is a sleek, modern space to relax and entertain!