DIY Modern Landscaping Ideas

Modern landscaping addresses today's hectic, high-stress life-style. Contemporary landscaping provides a sanctuary, a place to spend quiet time with family and friends, without excessive maintenance. The following are 5 DIY modern landscaping ideas for your own unique space.

Guidelines for Modern Landscaping Ideas

Many resources discuss contemporary landscaping at some length¹. Here are some quick guidelines for DIY modern landscaping ideas. Use interesting materials, natural and artificial. Stark contrasts emphasize features, while gradual transitions evoke a sense of calm. Less is more - plant a limited selection of plants densely in a strategic location, or position larger plants in a hardscape of concrete or rocks. Use water, light, and shade to create a calm retreat to enjoy day and night.

Modern Landscaping Idea Borrowed from Japanese Tradition - Gravel Gardens

Gravel beds make a great modern landscaping idea. Rake the gravel in geometric or flowing forms, as fits the site and your fancy of the moment. Avoid placing gravel beds near deciduous trees to minimize leaf-blowing chores. Landscaping cloth under the gravel suppresses weed growth, further minimizing maintenance.

Recycled Glass - a Striking DIY Modern Landscaping Idea

Recycled glass "rocks" in many colors can be used to form "river bed" walks, or as a long-lasting substitute for mulch² (avoid injury - buy glass without sharp edges). This modern landscaping idea is also environmentally friendly.

Dig the desired area to a depth of 2", place landscaping cloth to control weeds, and cover with glass rocks. Upfront costs can be over $600 per 10 square foot area but, in time, mulch replacement savings will recover the cost.

River Rock Plant Beds - a Modern Landscaping Idea with Less Plants, More Beauty

Dig out the desired bed area using flowing curves to evoke calm or sharp geometric shapes for emphasis. Dig deeper holes to plant several medium-sized plants in the bed area. Line the bed with landscaping cloth, making cross-shaped cuts over the planting holes. Position your plants, adding potting soil under and over their roots. Pour river rocks of various sizes, shapes, and colors to a depth of 2" or more for a contemporary landscaping look.

Waterfalls - Soothing Sound as a Modern Landscaping Idea

If you enjoy the gentle sound of water, build a DIY waterfall using materials and tools from your local hardware store. Step-by-step instructions show how³, using a submersible pump, rigid pond liner, rocks, sand, tubing, flower pot, garden hose and simple tools. Ask a certified electrician to install a ground fault circuit interrupter socket near your planned location. Before any digging, contact your local utilities to verify you don't hit buried lines.

Canvas Shade Sails - Shade and Sun Part of Contemporary Landscaping

Properly sited canvas shade sails are an interesting, modern landscaping idea, providing restful shade inexpensively⁴ (some under $50). A square sail is most attractive if mounted with two diagonally opposite corners low and the other two higher, with a slope of at least 30% (i.e. 3' higher per 10' separation). Multiple sails provide an even more interesting contemporary landscaping element.

Position your sail(s) based on the sun angle at the time of day you're most likely to use the shaded area, with your barbecue out from under the sail and its structure. You can anchor the corners to a variety of items (if they're strong enough) such as large trees, fence posts, brick walls, etc. Corners can also be mounted to dedicated posts (check with your utilities before digging post holes).

DIY Modern Landscaping Ideas - the Bottom Line

Contemporary landscaping can turn your yard into an easy-to-maintain, yet striking space. Modern landscaping uses a variety of natural and artificial materials in interesting ways to design a space in which to relax and enjoy life. The above are 5 relatively inexpensive DIY modern landscaping ideas you can implement without a contractor.

Sources:

¹LandscapeDesignAdvisor.com, ExteriorWorlds.com, etc.
²CloseTheLoop
³ About.com
⁴BackYardCity.com