Modern Backyard Ideas
A modern backyard is an outdoor living room: big pavers or decking for furniture, clean-lined planting beds and a restrained palette of materials. It's low maintenance and makes even a plain lawn feel designed.
Try this style on your yardModern Backyard: before & after
Same house, same angle. Only the landscaping changes.
Before
After
Before
AfterWhat makes a modern backyard
Plants
- Ornamental grasses (feather reed grass, Mexican feather grass, blue fescue)
- Clipped boxwood or other evergreen shrubs in rows
- Sculptural accents like agave or yucca in warm climates
- One multi-stem feature tree
Materials
- Large-format concrete or porcelain pavers
- Gravel or decomposed granite between pavers
- Black steel or aluminum edging
- Horizontal slat fences and smooth rendered walls
Features
- Geometric planters in black, gray or concrete
- Low, warm path and step lights
- Linear fire pit or water feature
- Clean, uncluttered layouts with repeated plants
Design tips
Define zones with paving
Use large pavers to create a clear dining area and a lounge area, then frame them with beds of grasses. The layout does most of the design work.
Mix pavers with gravel or grass joints
Pavers set in gravel or with grass joints look softer than a solid slab and let rainwater drain.
Choose furniture in the same palette
Gray, black and natural wood furniture keeps a modern backyard calm. Add color with a few cushions rather than many different materials.
See a modern design on your own yard
Upload a photo and we’ll preselect the backyard and modern style for you. New accounts get 3 free designs.
1. Upload a photo of your yard
2. What are we designing?
3. Pick a style
Your redesigned yard will appear here.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a modern backyard feel warm?
Add wood, warm lighting and soft planting like grasses. They balance the hard concrete and steel that define modern style.
Can I keep some lawn in a modern backyard?
Yes. A neat rectangle of lawn framed by pavers and beds is a common modern layout, especially for families with kids or dogs.