Modern Landscape Design – 3D Walkthrough [30+ Ideas Included]
Top Characteristics of a Modern Garden:
1- The structure imposed by hardscape:
Spaces are shaped and defined by paths and patios, the portions of the landscape that humans use. This is where the design process starts with the layout and configuration of usable spaces in modern landscape design.
2- Hardscape materials are mixed and matched:
Concrete, natural stone, pebbles, decomposed granite, and more may be used in the same space. Modern gardens illustrate how important the texture of the hardscape is!
3- Water is kept on site:
Modern landscapes utilize rain gardens, dry wells, swales, etc, to capture water and hold it until it can naturally soak into the ground.
4- Watering systems are smart:
An irrigation system, appropriately designed, will use less water to keep your plants happy than a hose-end sprinkler. Modern irrigation systems use sub-surface drip, high-efficiency nozzles, and smart timers to ensure no water is wasted.
5- Lighting is low voltage and LED (smart):
LED bulbs are efficient and last forever. A high-quality metal fixture that will patina attractively will look good for many years to come.
6- No visible plastic:
Edging for paths and patios is 1/8″ steel. Planters are corten steel, concrete, or stone. Fences are wood. Any plastics are purely functional and out of site.
7- Wood is essential:
It acts as a contrasting element when integrated with concrete or stone. As a walkway, it can indicate a transition to a more natural portion of the garden.
8- Maintenance requirements are low to moderate:
Many modern outdoor spaces have an abundance of hardscapes and a lower amount of lawns and plants. The amount of time spent weeding, pruning, and raking is reduced as a result.
9- Trees are functional:
Trees are not chosen or placed simply because we like them. Trees are used to create ceilings for outdoor spaces. They are a tool for controlling the scale of a garden.
10- Shrubs have a structure that is easy to maintain:
Shrubs that naturally have a strong structure are utilized. Small shrubs with tidy habits are perfect for a small urban garden.
11- Grasses serve many purposes:
Ornamental grasses are the “duct tape” of the modern garden. They soften hard edges, brighten up dark corners, and screens, fill in gaps between slabs of hardscape, and transition the eye from the patio to the water feature to gravel garden to lawn.
12- Plants are grouped carefully:
Maintenance can be lowered, by planting multiples of a variety together. It allows you to care for plants as an area, not a bunch of individuals.
13- The outside is connected to the inside:
Outdoor living spaces should flow smoothly from inside areas. Walking in and out should be as comfortable and painless as possible.
14- You should feel close to your outside space:
The views of your primary windows are essential. Plantings near those windows have to do more than just provide privacy.
15- Play spaces are integrated into the landscape:
The garden is meant to be used, so areas for play are not hidden in the corner of the yard. By integrating playable spaces into the landscape, your whole family can enjoy the garden together. This approach also means you won’t have to renovate a portion of the garden once your kids are older.
16- Flexibility is prized in the urban yard:
When available space is limited, we try to avoid assigning just one use to an area.
17- Material choices are secondary to structure:
It’s not using corten steel that makes a space contemporary. Material options change over time, with some falling out of favor while others become popular. A modern garden is not a result of obsessing over the material choices, but of getting the structure of the garden correct!
Landscape Design 101:
Landscape design is the art of developing a property for its greatest use and enjoyment. Effective modern landscape design is also a science because it involves understanding the environment around your home and selecting plants that perform well in that environment in either case a well-conceived landscape design that is properly installed and well-maintained adds value to your property and enhances the quality of your life
There are four ways in which the landscape is valuable:
- Aesthetically
- Economically
- Functionally
- Environmentally
1- Aesthetic Value:
An Attractive landscape is valuable because it adds beauty or is pleasing to your senses.
2- Economic Value:
The value of your home can be increased by 6 to 15% as a result of a good landscape.
3- Functional Value:
Well-placed trees, shrubs, turfs, and construction features increase your functional use of the property.
4- Environmental Value:
Through landscaping, you can buffer temperatures, conserve water, and provide habitats for wildlife.
Essential Steps to Landscape Design:
1- Start Up Front:
If you’re wondering where to start a landscape transformation, look no further than your front yard.
It’s the first thing that you see driving up to your house, and you can wow guests before they even enter your home.
Just remember that curb appeal is important, but no matter how pretty your landscape is, it needs to be functional.
Do all of your hardscaping projects before you set out any plants. Hardscaping can include a porch, sidewalk, driveway, parking areas, decks, fencing, patios, and arbor.
These projects usually involve construction, which can compact your soil or damage turf and plantings, so it’s important to complete any heavy work before plantings begin.
2- Toil In the Soil:
When it is time to garden, amend your soil by adding organic matter such as finely shredded pine bark, peat moss, mushroom compost, or leaf mold before setting out plants.
Loose, fertile soil will encourage root growth on new plantings and allow them to become established quickly. Clearly define your turf and bed lines.
First, use a garden hose to lay out your bed lines then use orange spray paint to mark the lines.
3- Plant Next to Your House:
Your foundation planting should embrace your house and not cover it. Low-growing shrubs or ground cover should be planted in front of low windows and porches.
Larger rounded shrubs or small trees work well planted on the corners of your home. These larger plants will frame up your house and help soften the box-like structure.
Remember to create a small bed in your front yard for annual color. Flowers will add instant charm.
4- Move to the Backyard:
Your backyard should be an outdoor living area to enjoy. If you need privacy, install wooden fencing or large shrubs around the perimeter to create walls.
Decks and patios make great sitting or dining areas when the weather’s appropriate and they create a nice overflow for guests during parties.
5- Gather Around the Fire:
Grilling stations or outdoor kitchens can be used to cook your meals and not heat up the kitchen.
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are very popular and allow you to enjoy your yard even when there’s a little chill in the air.
Both of these options make for easy fun family activities.
6- Side yards:
Side yards are often narrow strips that are rarely seen. They can be a good place to house your utilitarian needs. Garbage cans, firewood, storage, and garden sheds often work well tucked into your side yard.
If you have dogs it might be a good place to install a dog run. You’ll probably need a walkway on at least one side of your house so you can easily navigate from the front of the house to the backyard.
7- Choosing the Right Plants:
Before planting anything, study your landscape. See where the sun rises and sets. Some plants love the morning sun but will not tolerate the western sun.
Consult with a local garden center about the plants that you intend to use and know their needs.
Plants that need full sun such as herbs, vegetables, roses, and many bedding plants require five or more hours of sunlight, so make sure to design your areas appropriately.
8- Incorporating Your Personality:
Add your personal touches to your garden. You can do this with garden art, statues, water features, a birdhouse, or architectural fragments.
Use low-voltage night lighting to highlight these items, but also position lights along walkways to make maneuvering after dark easy and safe.
9- Maintenance:
To keep a beautiful landscape it must be maintained. Keep new plantings watered and mulched.
Mulch makes a landscape look finished but it also helps soil retain moisture and keeps weeds in check.
Work on your landscape but also enjoy it. Your outdoor areas should be an extension of your home.
A beautiful and functional landscape makes your house more appealing and will increase its value. We have also written a complete guide on lawn care tips & it’s maintenance.
10- Finishing:
Adding containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes is a great way to incorporate a little more color into a landscape. A large planter or grouping of containers placed by your front door will create an inviting entrance.
If you have several planters use a common plant or color in each of them for repetition and continuity. Too many colors combined can become chaotic looking.
Landscape Design Ideas:
Beautiful Home Garden Design
Contemporary Front Yard Landscape
Landscaping grass patches and flower beds
Landscaping Ideas with pebbles and rocks
Tropical Front Yard Landscaping Idea
Front Yard Landscaping Idea
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks
Inexpensive Minimalist Landscaping Idea
Continental Landscape Design
Continental Landscape Design
Landscaping Ideas For Suburban Homes
Landscaping Ideas For a Simple Front Yard
Symmetrical grass Landscaping Idea
Desert-like Front Yard Landscape
Small Front Yard Landscaping
Minimalist Front Yard Landscaping Design
Cozy Backyard Landscaping
Minimalist Front Yard Landscaping Design
Spectacular Backyard
Backyard Landscape Garden Design
Swimming Pool Landscaping Idea
Backyard Landscaping Designs for Gardeners
Backyard Landscaping Plans – Streetside
Backyard Shrubs Design
Elegant Backyard Garden Idea
Landscape Design For Backyard Patio
Natural Landscape Design
Landscaping Designs with Pathways
Landscaping Backyard Ideas with Lights
Wonderful Backyard Design
Landscaping Ideas For Small Backyards
Landscaping Ideas For Small Backyards
3D Garden Landscaping Design Idea:
You can easily walk into your future garden, clearly imagined in this 3D Design. You can easily make changes to the design, colors, and materials as well with your taste.
Video Credits: Dream Gardens
