15 Simple But Effective Modern Landscaping Ideas

Are you looking to revitalize your property this season? Incorporating a modern landscape design into your plans is a great way to do so.

Before we get started, it’s essential to clarify what we mean when discussing modern design. Occasionally, there’s some confusion surrounding the topic due to the language used.

Modern and contemporary are synonymous outside of the design world. Within it, however, they’re extremely different, including in the landscaping business.

Contemporary design refers to something that is currently developing. On the other hand, modern design generally refers to a design style popular in the 1950s and 1960s. That’s usually called the midcentury modern period.

However, depending on who you ask, the modern design period may extend from between 1920 and 1980.

That’s a lot of ground to cover. For inspiration, check out these 15 simple but effective modern landscaping ideas.

Choosing a Modern Landscape Design (How to Give it a Modern Look)

It’s one thing to want a modern garden. It’s another thing entirely to determine what modernity means to you and what you’d like to implement. How hard could it possibly be? But, it’s not as easy as it may seem.

Everything from the 1920s to the 1970s can be considered modern. That’s quite the range. When you translate the style from architecture and fashion to landscaping, it gets even broader.

Do you want to incorporate Art Deco glamor into your landscape design? Perhaps mid-century modern landscaping is more your style. On the other hand, maybe you want your garden design to be more retro and reminiscent of the 1970s.

Whatever you envision, hiring the right landscape contractors to make it a reality is essential.

Modern Landscape Design Ideas

Modern landscaping ideas might vary widely, but they do have a few factors in common:

Clean lines.
Geometric shapes.
Cohesion and continuity.
A bold, often monochromatic color scheme.
An absence of rustic features and plants.

As you might guess, you can do a lot to create a modern home using the items on that list. We’re going to cover a few of our favorites.

Grass Tile Design

Grids or tiles combine geometric shapes, clean lines and continuity to significant effect. A grass tile design is a perfect example of what a modern landscape can look like. If you’re looking for modern backyard ideas, this is an excellent place to start.

With a grass tile design, you can find the perfect balance between minimalism and texture. It’s a simple yet elegant solution if you’re looking to add interest to your backyard landscaping.

Stone Tile Design

A stone tile design is similar to a grass tile design. However, it takes less maintenance to keep it looking sharp. You also have extensive options when it comes to the stones you use, making the design more customizable.

Xeriscaping is a way of landscaping that means you don’t need to irrigate much, if at all. If that’s something you’re interested in, stone tile designs are a great way to get started. Hardy, drought-tolerant plants that prefer rocky or sandy soil make great additions, too.

Plant Placement Design

Choosing where to place plants is one of the biggest challenges landscape contractors face. Plant placement can make a space look cluttered and overgrown when done incorrectly. Done right, however, it can create clean lines between spaces or a dramatic centerpiece.

You can also use different flowers to create a pattern. Petunias come in a wide range of colors, making them a popular choice for this design activity. Ornamental sweet potato vines can add a bright pop of lime, too.

Pots and Planters

The days of simple terracotta flowerpots being the only option are long gone. Planters are a great way to incorporate natural materials like wood, stone and metal into your modern backyard. You can add color to your design with brightly colored glazes on the pots you choose.

Concrete planters are highly durable and can survive a range of conditions. However, pretty glazed pots might chip or become damaged when subjected to freezing temperatures, moisture or rough treatment. Keep in mind the weather and how likely you are to move the pots around before making your selection.

Accessible Modern Landscaping

We believe that your landscaping should work for you. That means making it accessible. Do you or another member of your family use a wheelchair or other mobility aid? Maybe someone has severe allergies. Perhaps you simply want somewhere safe for your children or pets to play.

Whatever the case, your outdoor space should meet your needs. You don’t have to sacrifice the landscape design of your dreams to make sure that’s the case, either. Find landscape contractors that take the time to listen to what you want.

Pool and Spa Landscape Design

Water features are popular right now, and for a good reason. Incorporating a pool or spa into your space gives you somewhere to relax and have fun. Rather than suffering through the heat, you could spend the summer swimming.

Water features also add to the overall appearance of your yard. Pools aren’t just blue concrete rectangles in the ground anymore. They’re a landscaping feat in and of themselves.

Spas are the same way. You get form and function with a properly implemented water feature.

Add Local Color

Whether you’re located here in Ohio with us or somewhere more tropical, the native flora is your friend. Native plants are hardy because they’re adapted to the environment in which you’re planting them. They also offer you the opportunity to blend your space with the natural world around you.

Incorporate Classic Elements

You can still use your modern landscape ideas if your home has a more traditional appearance. Gifted landscape contractors will be able to seamlessly combine modern and classical elements without sacrificing either.

Urban Stone Landscaping

We love working with stone. It’s lasting, highly customizable, and it looks great. You can create clean, simple lines with stone, making it perfect for modern landscaping. Depending on your selections, it can also create an up-to-date urban look for modern-style homes.

Spanish-Style Garden Landscaping

Sometimes, looking abroad for inspiration can help you come up with backyard landscaping ideas. We love the way Spanish-inspired landscapes look, and you might too while crafting your modern front yard.

Modern Mumbai

Continuing our exploration of exciting international landscape ideas, Mumbai is an excellent place to get inspiration from. India’s largest city has it all, including backyard garden ideas perfect for highly-populated urban areas.

Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony, there’s something for everyone. The right combination of plants and furniture can create a small modern getaway.

Serene Landscaping

Having a beautifully designed green space to relax in can boost your health and mood. If that’s what you’re looking for, make serenity the focus of your landscape design. Emphasize simplicity and comfort. A small water feature will add to the tranquility.

Treat Your Senses

Often, landscaping is considered a visual art. Curb appeal is indeed high on the list of reasons many people seek out landscape contractors. As critical as the optical element is, designing for the other four senses adds depth.

In addition to sight, consider adding:

Soft furniture, smooth rocks and other interesting textures.
Fragrant flowers and herbs ranging from roses to scented geraniums.
A water feature you can listen to.
Fruits, vegetables and herbs for snacking.

The best landscape designs use all of your senses to create a comprehensive experience.

Make Stylish Restorations

If you live in a historic home or one with a unique architectural design, landscaping can be difficult. Landscape ideas for the front of your house are hard to come by, particularly if you want a modern look.

Creating a modern look doesn’t have to mean paving over history, however. Rather than redoing something that has good bones, you can restore it instead. Restoration can take an already beautiful area and make it into a luxury landscape.

Vintage Modern Landscaping

The popularity of vintage designs isn’t just due to viewing the past through rose-tinted glasses. When a design style makes it into the history books, it’s because it’s both memorable and widely considered aesthetically pleasing. A modern take on a vintage look can help your landscaping stand out from the crowd.

Finding a landscape design company and landscape contractors you can trust is challenging. Here at Exscape Designs, we want to be that company. Therefore, we act with integrity and accountability in everything we do.

We also believe that the best landscapes result from the collaboration. We take your vision, combine it with our expertise and create something beautiful. You will be able to enjoy the results for years to come.

Exscape Designs is here for you. Whether you need a lawn mowing service or someone to build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, contact us today.

Let us know how we can serve you. We can’t wait to get started!