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Contemporary & Modern Landscape Design

Contemporary and modern designs are beautiful options for landscaping, but you need experts by your side to get the job done right. At Natural Environments Corporation, we’re here to help with all your landscaping needs. We’ve been working since 1983 to bring our clients installation and design services that exceed expectations. Request a quote today to get started on your contemporary or modern landscaping project. 

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What Are Contemporary and Modern Designs?

Contemporary and modern designs are often confused, but contemporary design is just what’s popular today. As for modern design, it’s an official style that began in the early 20th century. 

It’s a design where:

  • Form follows function.
  • Minimalism is key.
  • Elements play off the house architecture.
  • Clean lines are a focus.

 

Modern design is contemporary at the moment. It fits in with our basic considerations for the environment, and is really one of the most popular styles right now.

How Are Contemporary and Modern Designs Implemented?

Contemporary and modern designs start with a discussion. The design we create should reflect your needs and the specific attributes you’re looking for. Also, how we implement the design will vary based on your unique preferences. If you want a modern-looking patio or a contemporary garden, the steps we take will naturally differ. 

 

No matter what you’re looking for, we try to keep contemporary and modern design elements in mind. Some examples include:

  • Neutral color palettes with bold accents: Modern design relies primarily on neutral color palettes. When combined with bold pops of color, it creates a contrasting look that stands out. 
  • Asymmetry: Asymmetry is a distinctly modern design element. It focuses on making two sides of a landscape uneven while still feeling balanced. An example would be putting a path on the right side of the house and not the left, or creating a garden that has more plants on one side than the other. 
  • Limiting curves: Given the focus on clean lines, modern design tends to incorporate many geometric shapes over curves. These can include pathways with sharp corners, square or rectangular tiles, and angular furniture. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to eliminate curves altogether, however. Some modern designs include curved gardens or paths, which can work well for asymmetry. Also, having a few curves here and there can stand out among a largely geometric landscape. 
  • Using concrete: Concrete and concrete products are a staple of modern design. The clean look and neutral color palette work perfectly with a modern design. Whether you want a concrete patio, driveway, or path, incorporating concrete into a modern design is a great choice. 
  • Open areas: Much like open floor plans in modern interior design, modern landscaping focuses on having wide, open areas that make the landscape feel larger than it is. The landscape should focus on a few minimalist or practical features rather than visual clutter. 

 

It’s not just aesthetics that we need to take into account. As mentioned, modern designs are built around form following function, so the priority here is creating a functional space. A patio with an outdoor kitchen, adding trees for shade, and other improvements can give the space a distinctly modern feel. Bring your design to life today by requesting a quote from us. 

What Happens if Contemporary and Modern Designs Are Not Done Correctly?

In order to be qualified to create a modern design, you have to understand what modern design is and be trained in this type of work. 

Because of this, it’s important to be sure that your designer has the experience and knowledge to execute this type of design. If you hire someone that doesn’t have that experience, you’re likely going to end up with a “mixed design” — that is to say, a design that includes a mix of style elements rather than being truly modern. As such, if it’s important to you to have an authentic modern design, you need to hire a landscape designer with that type of experience. Request a quote from Natural Environments Corporation today to get started on your contemporary and modern designs. 

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Natural Environments Corporation Frequently Asked Questions

The great thing about hiring a professional designer is that you don’t necessarily need to know everything you want ahead of time. We know the right questions to ask and will collaborate with you to help create a functional and gorgeous contemporary landscape. 

Yes, modern landscaping can be eco-friendly, but it depends on what features you include in your design. A few ways to make your space more eco-friendly include:

  • Planting native plant species: Native plants require less water and attract pollinators. 
  • Growing a rain garden: Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff, which can pick up contaminants from the environment. 
  • Using mulch in your garden: Mulch acts as a natural fertilizer and can deter weeds. 
  • Reducing or replacing your grass lawn: Grass lawns suck nutrients from the soil and often require fertilizer. One modern-looking lawn replacement option is to use smaller rectangular lawn panels that are functional but reduce the amount of maintenance required. 

Besides adding these features, it’s a good idea to use sustainable maintenance practices like harvesting rainwater to water your plants. 

Yes, it is possible to have a modern landscape with a traditional house. In fact, the look can be quite refreshing and prevent your property from feeling outdated. Mixing the two also means you don’t have to worry about changing your house’s look to fit with your landscaping, especially if you love the style. 

Yes, there are many ways to make your modern landscape low-maintenance. For example, you could incorporate native plant species into the design. Native plant species are some of the most low-maintenance plants because they thrive naturally in our environment — they are difficult to kill and have low watering needs. If you’re looking to add native species to your property, there are many options in Minnesota, and our expert designers can help you select the right ones to make your yard beautiful. 

Another way to make your landscape low-maintenance is to use low-maintenance materials such as concrete for any architectural features you have.

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Our landscaping services in Minneapolis St. Paul – Twin Cities include landscape design, retaining walls, boulder retaining walls, stone walls, rip rap, shoreline erosion control, patios, driveways, helical piers and more.

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