Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard xeriscape in Orange County with a retaining wall.

Wood Fences

VIKING FENCE CO

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden for spring in Austin with a retaining wall.

Hillside Decks

LA-Decks Backyard and Pool Remodeling

Redwood deck with grey stain on hill with glass railing and redwood posts.
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard full sun outdoor sport court for summer in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and decking.

Wildlife Garden

Painted Fern Garden Design

The existing garden had an ideal seating area in the back left corner to catch the evening sun. Unfortunately, it wasn’t particularly welcoming as it was overgrown with ivy and under an overhanging conifer. This coupled with an area of slippery, rotten decking was not a space the clients wanted to spend lots of time in. They were looking to create a naturalistic garden to sit in, whilst sharing the space with any wildlife we could encourage in. In order to future-proof the garden, changes in level needed to be kept to a minimum. Having a pet cat, careful consideration needed to be given to the choice of plants, to be both beneficial to wildlife, and wherever possible, non-toxic to cats. At the heart of the new garden sits a pond, with water one of the best ways of encouraging wildlife in. The turf was planted with pockets of early flowering Camassia and Fritillaria bulbs and allowed to grow long until the foliage had died right back, and over time hopefully encouraging in further species to create meadow strips. The plant selection included Buddleja, Geranium, Nepeta, Rosemary, Sedum and Thyme, which offered something for butterflies, honeybees, hoverflies, bee-flies and long-tongued bees. A small tree, Malus ‘Admiration’ was selected for its ability to attract bees, beneficial insects and butterflies with its nectar and pollen rich flowers whilst providing a food source for birds and caterpillars. A Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount Aso’ was positioned next to the pond, and along with Hellebores, these provided a welcome early source of food for queen bumblebees and solitary mining bees. Two seating areas were built. One was integrated into a dry-stone wall built using Purbeck stone, which in time, would create a home for various inhabitants. The second was a bug hotel. Attention was also given to hedgehogs by creating a series of hedgehog holes between the neighbouring four gardens and a hedgehog home. A combination of autumn brown sandstone for the two patio areas was teamed with matching square setts to create a sweeping curved path linking the different spaces within the garden. The timber used for both benches and the pergola was Western Red Cedar which was allowed to silver over time. A hand thrown Cretan urn was displayed in a feature area viewed from both the house and the seating areas.

Recycled Retaining Wall

Blue Bear Landscape Construction

Complete back yard renovation. New features include recycled concrete slab retaining wall, custom privacy screen, two porcelain slab patios, fire pit, artificial turf lawn and planting.

Lots of Living is Happening in this Compact Gem of a Garden

Cambium Inc.

The very effective planting design embraces color, and more importantly, significant textural differences of the plant materials.
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard garden in Seattle with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Outdoor Living

Landscape Management Group

Large contemporary backyard full sun garden in Columbus with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Lake Lounge Seating Lighting | Lake House Outdoor Lighting Design

McKay Landscape Lighting

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Garden Design/Dudley

Landscapia

Photos by Cameron Botfield Using porcelain paving, rendered walls, artificial grass and cedar screening we have transformed this unusable garden to create a beautiful space for the whole family to enjoy. Using the very best materials that offer long guarantees, this garden will be extremely easy to look after and will remain looking great for years to come.

Patios & Boulder Walls – Minnetonka Lake House Landscape

Southview Design

Overlooking scenic lake Minnetonka, this multi-level patio seamlessly blends into the hill and creates multiple level spaces for enjoying life outside.

Highbury House

Studio 30 Architects

A contemporary rear extension and renovation to revitalise the living accommodation of a mid-terraced Victorian dwelling within the Calabria Road Conservation Area. This handsome house in Highbury suffered from its traditionally enclosed layout. The works extended and opened the house to the rear, creating a light, expansive kitchen / dining area with direct connection to the newly upgraded garden.

California Modern Eclectic

Grey Leaf Design, Inc.

This natural stone retaining wall complements the natural stone used around the exterior of the home. This quiet space offers a great private nook for some meditation or reflection.

Fruit Trees with Soil-Biulding Meadow Understory

Regenesis Ecological Design

Photo of a large traditional backyard full sun garden in Other with a retaining wall and gravel.

Shade Garden 2

Pearson Landscape Services

Large modern backyard shaded xeriscape in Austin with a retaining wall and gravel for spring.

Ledge Stone Retaining Wall with Plantings

DC Design LLC

Large ledge stones create a retaining wall on the side of the swimming pool. Plantings soften the stone and concrete by providing texture and color.
Design ideas for a large modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Detroit with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Silver spring sloped side yard

Earth Essence Designs

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Lake Keowee Boulder Wall

Landcore Landscape Construction and Design, LLC

Large traditional backyard partial sun garden in Other with a retaining wall.

Garden

LandZen Landscape Design & Construction

Photo of a mid-sized beach style backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in San Francisco with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Wood Fences

VIKING FENCE CO

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden for spring in Austin with a retaining wall.

Modern Minimalist

dp environments

Modern backyard retreat with minimalist elements. A concrete patio with square modular pavers leads up to a raised Ipe wood deck. The spa is raised with a concrete coping seat bench and an infinity edge glass spillway. The pool has a concrete coping and white plaster. The main concrete area is accented by charcoal beach pebble. The retaining wall is constructed of Angelus Glacier White precision block with a sandblasted finish. The tight geometry is balanced by vibrant succulents on the adjacent slope. The BBQ station is faced with smooth white plaster and a gray colored Dekton countertop. The property is surrounded by lush green bamboo and other greenery.

Backyard Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

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.