This is an example of a traditional backyard garden in Atlanta with brick pavers.

An unused area of lawn has been repurposed as a meditation garden. The meandering path of limestone step stones weaves through a birch grove. The matrix planting of carex grasses is interspersed with flowering natives throughout the season. Fall is spectacular with the blooming of aromatic asters.

Small town garden no lawn

Amanda Shipman

Amanda Shipman
Small country backyard full sun garden in Hertfordshire with a garden path and brick pavers for summer.

Modern San Francisco Living

Boxleaf Design, Inc.

Small residential garden to suite a modern house and active children. -kwmla-
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard garden in San Francisco.

Native Gardens that we support with design and Maintenance in 2023

PETER ATKINS AND ASSOCIATES., LLC

Clients gardens that took a rear lawn and changed it into a large potagers garden. This is a strong pollinator garden as there is all kind of food, shelter, nesting for the natural world. The path is gravel so it drains. The white closest to the house is flowering tobaccos. the pink to the left is pink digitalis, blue iris and yellow yarrow. Peter Atkins and Associates

My Landscaping Work

Dave Ryan Landscaping Nantucket

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Seating with Fire Pit

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Studio H Landscape Architecture
Photo of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with concrete pavers.

Glencoe French Chateau - Formal Pool and Landscape

Arrow. Land + Structures

Glencoe IL Formal sideyard garden walk leading to rear yard pool oasis. French inspired theme. By: Arrow. Land + Structures. Landscape Architects and Builders----The sideyard path leads visitors towards the rear yard poolside retreat. Sideyards present an opportunity to create an an articulated approach that pulls you in towards your destination.

LaurelRock Company: High Meadow Farm

LaurelRock

Neil Landino. Design Credit: Stephen Stimson Associates
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in New York with concrete pavers.

Cor-Ten Cattails Sculptural Fence

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane Made of 300, 10-foot steel blades set upright 8 inches apart, the award winning Cor-Ten Cattails Sculptural fence was designed for a home in Berwyn, Pennsylvania as a yard sculpture that also keeps deer out. Made of COR-TEN, a steel alloy that eliminates the need for painting and maintains a rich, dark rust color without corroding, the fence stanchions were cut with a plasma cutter from sheets of the alloy. Each blade stands 8 feet above grade, set in concrete 3 feet below, weighs 80-90 pounds and is 5/8 inch thick. The profile of the blades is an irregular trapezoid with no horizontal connections or supports. Only the gate has two horizontal bars, and each leaf weighs 1200 pounds.

Fire Pit

Rick O'Donnell Architect, LLC

Fire Pit Mark McKnight Photography
Photo of a traditional backyard garden in Austin with a fire feature.

Coan Waterfront Landscape, Camano Island, WA

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford

Very private backyard enclave

Morgan Howarth Photography

Very private backyard enclave waterfall with fire pit and screened in patio
Contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in DC Metro with with waterfall and natural stone pavers for summer.

Floating Bench garden

Living Colour Gardens

This is an example of a small contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in London with natural stone pavers and a container garden.

Eco Modern

Eco Landscape Design & Build

Innis Casey Photography
Design ideas for a large modern backyard shaded xeriscape in Los Angeles with a fire feature and gravel.

Stepping Stone Sideyard

Plan-it Earth Design

Stepping stones lead you to...
Design ideas for a small traditional backyard partial sun garden for spring in Portland with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Circular Garden

Green Tree Garden Design Ltd

Looking across the garden a year after it was planted. Richard Brown Photography Ltd
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in Cheshire.

Modern Fencing For A Modern Garden

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Golden Goddess bamboo and Mexican weeping bamboo peek through cattle panel fencing and garden wall panels. Photo by Gabriel Frank
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Luis Obispo with gravel.

Modern Landscape

Design ideas for a small modern backyard partial sun garden in Denver with natural stone pavers and a water feature.

Historic Evanston Retreat

Greenwise Organic Lawn Care and Landscape Design

Bluestone paths traverse the property, unifying outdoor rooms and directing flow from one space to the next. Photo: Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Chicago with natural stone pavers and with fireplace.

Backyard and Sloped 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.