Mid Century Modern Landscape Transformation

With a limited budget, we were able to transform and update this front garden with a new modern pathway, a small patio, and a variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants. The black mulch completes this modern landscape design transformation. I included a selection of plants that provide a variety of heights, colors and textures. Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark' is a great low-care plant perfect along pathways. © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Garden

Jarret Yoshida Design

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard garden in New York.

Green Living Wall

Plan-it Earth Design

This living wall, with corten steel surround, hides an unsightly fence on top of a retaining wall in the shade of a large maple tree Design by Amy Whitworth Installed by Dinsdale Landscape Contractors, Inc Living wall by Solterra Photo by Amy Whitworth

Vineyard Residence

Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture

William Carson Joyce
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard shaded xeriscape in Santa Barbara with gravel.

Contemporary courtyard

SeedOnceSown Ltd

This striking modern house had an unloved outdoor space with a large overhanging tree and dominant brick wall. We rejuvenated with new paving, porcelain cladding and a few choice plants for a contemporary look to complement the house. The addition of a living wall completes the transformation

Mountain Home Planting

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture - Montana

A mountain home near a ski resort gets a planting and hardscape upgrade with mostly native, climate-resiliant planting.
Small contemporary front yard full sun driveway in Other with with path and concrete pavers for summer.

Compact Entertaining Garden

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping

Photo of a small contemporary backyard partial sun garden in London with natural stone pavers.

Watch this Space - Revamp of Santa Luz Front Yard

Alfresco Landscapes

Complete revamp of existing front yard, creating a more contemporary feel with new wide concrete steps, steppers in Mexican beach cobble, simple stucco retaining walls, waterwise planting, metal fence and new driveway.

August

Georgia Lindsay Garden Design

Full and bursting with life the E20 pollinator garden shows what you can do with a new build!
Photo of a small modern garden in London.

Twin Terrace Garden

Christine Wilkie Garden Design

This small, north-east facing garden, measuring around 100 m2, was in need of a complete transformation to bring it into line with the owner's interior style and the desire for an outdoor room experience. A series of bi-folding doors led out to a relatively small patio and raised lawn area. The objective was to create a design that would maximise the space, making it feel much larger and provide usable areas that the owners could enjoy throughout the day as the sun moves around the garden. An asymmetrical design with different focal points and material contrasts was deployed to achieve the impression of a larger, yet still harmonious, space. The overall garden style was Japanese-inspired with pared back hard landscaping materials and plants with interesting foliage and texture, such as Acers, Prunus serrula cherry tree, cloud pruned Ilex crenata, clumping bamboo and Japanese grasses featuring throughout the garden's wide borders. A new lower terrace was extended across the full width of the garden to allow the space to be fully used for morning coffee and afternoon dining. Porcelain tiles with an aged wood effect were used to clad a new retaining wall and step risers, with limestone-effect porcelain tiles used for the lower terrace. New steps were designed to create an attractive transition from the lower to the upper level where the previous lawn was completely removed in favour of a second terrace using the same low-maintenance wood effect porcelain tiles. A raised bed constructed in black timber sleepers was installed to deal with ground level changes at the upper level, while at the lower level another raised bed provides an attractive retaining edge backfilled with bamboo. New fencing was installed and painted black, a nod to the Japanese shou sugi ban method of charring wood to maintain it. Finally, a combination of carefully chosen outdoor furniture, garden statuary and bespoke planters complete the look. Discrete garden lighting set into the steps, retaining wall and house walls create a soft ambient lighting in which to sit and enjoy the garden after dark.

Adams Street, Denver, CO

LAND BY DESIGN

Corten steel sculpture, Corten steel firepit, wood trellis, wood pergola, raised Trex deck, Outdoor dining, Outdoor living, boulder water feature, granite chip, concrete edging Corten steel focal point.

Foliage

Natasha Nuttall Garden Design

An urban oasis in East London. This space has been transformed into a lush garden perfect for indoor-outdoor living. This garden has been designed so that it is divided into 3 distinct areas, each surrounded by lush. abundant planting. closest to the house a dining patio with a large built in parasol for sunny and slightly rainy days, a second patio area with sofa and chairs offers a great space for coffee, working and drinks near the outdoor kitchen and BBQ area. The substantial built in benches at the rear of the garden offers a wonderful space for relaxing and entertaining with dappled shade from the overhead pergola and plants in summer and warmth of the fire pit on colder nights.

Inside outside

Bright Green Garden

Inspiration for a small contemporary garden in London.

Taliesen Park

HINISH Design Collective

Photo of a small midcentury backyard partial sun xeriscape for winter in Portland with a retaining wall and a wood fence.

Terrasse pour une vue imprenable

Nathalie JEANNE - Conceptrice de jardin

Terrasse avec 2 matériaux. terrasse en dallage sur chape béton en bois composite SILVADEC. Massifs de persistants avec vivaces et graminées.
Photo of a small country full sun garden in Other with a garden path and decking.

Back yard Renovation - Mulch Beds

Outside Dreams Landscape Design and Construction

Mulch beds, river rock beds, plantings
Small backyard full sun formal garden in Denver with with flowerbed and river rock.

Featured Projects

Baraca Design & Remodeling

backyard remodel Laguna HIlls Orange county
Small contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in Orange County with with privacy feature, concrete pavers and a stone fence for spring.

Portland Four Square Front Yard

Harmony Design Northwest

Low maintenance front yard (no grass!) with a paver entry pad and path, expanding driveway and welcome area. The landscaping features soft plants that bring curb appeal to the traditional four square home.

Front yard terrace from upper stair

Dorthy Pautz Landscape Architect

this tiny water-wise front yard is on a terrace leading up to the house, viewed both from the inside of the house and looking down on the garden from the stairs to the front door. The garden is designed to be a 'garden of curiosities', a visual painting with dramatic foliage color and architectural plants. Succulents include Agava 'Kara's Stripes', Various Aeoniums, Phormiums, Coprosma 'Pacific Sunset', Oxalis 'Zinfandel', Chondropetalum, Agave 'Blue Glow (pot) among other plants

Brooklyn Angled Garden

Little Miracles Designs

Pergola, kitchen, bench, Corten wall, bluestone paving
Inspiration for a small modern backyard garden in New York.

Small Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.