Photo by Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC A small residential, seaside property located on Fairfield Beach, Fairfield was renovated by the new owners and adapted for their active family. Barbara was the landscape architect in charge of all of the landscape elements upgrades. She designed new bluestone curving paths to access the front and side doors and designed new landscape lighting to enhance the walks. The existing trees were saved and she designed new shade and salt-tolerant plantings which were added to provide seasonal color and interest while respecting the existing plantings. Along the beach front additional native beach grasses were added to stabilize the dunes while removing some invasive plantings. This work will be phased over the next few years in an effort to keep the sand stable. Beach roses were incorporated into a hollow in the dunes. A small lawn area was renovated and the surrounding Black Pines pruned to provide a small play area and respite from the sun. Beautiful reblooming hydrangeas line the edge of the gravel driveway. Rounded beach stones were used instead of mulch in the island planting along the edge of the adjacent road planted with Miscanthus, Mugo pine and yucca. Barbara designed a custom kayak rack, custom garbage enclosure, a new layout of the existing wooden deck to facilitate access to the side doors, and detailed how to renovate the front door into only an emergency access with new railings and steps. She coordinating obtaining bids and then supervised the installation of all elements for the new landscape the project. The interiors were designed by Jack Montgomery Design of Greenwich, CT and NYC . Tree work was completed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT installed the new plantings, installed all the new masonry work and provides landscape maintenance services. JT Low Voltage and Electric installed the landscape lighting.

Landscaping

Dan Viehmann Landscaping

The use of pea stone for this driveway compliments both the granite lamp post and the stone wall, but is balanced by the surrounding beds and well manicured lawn.

Beach Style Landscape

Inspiration for a large beach style front yard full sun formal garden in Seattle with a garden path and gravel.

Ranch Redux

Uccello Development, LLC

The cottage style exterior of this newly remodeled ranch in Connecticut, belies its transitional interior design. The exterior of the home features wood shingle siding along with pvc trim work, a gently flared beltline separates the main level from the walk out lower level at the rear. Also on the rear of the house where the addition is most prominent there is a cozy deck, with maintenance free cable railings, a quaint gravel patio, and a garden shed with its own patio and fire pit gathering area.

Eastbourne Seaside Garden

Capability Chris

Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour garden, night, pathway
Design ideas for a small beach style shaded garden in Sussex with gravel.

North Road Chilmark

Bob Gothard Architectural Photographer

Bob Gothard 2014
Design ideas for a beach style front yard garden in Boston with gravel.

Private Residence Capitola, CA

Elemental Design Group

Discover the epitome of coastal charm with our street-side garden that harmoniously blends beauty and sustainability. Nestled near the ocean, this garden stands as a testament to nature's resilience. Against a backdrop of a striking blue painted fence that mirrors the nearby ocean, a vibrant display of drought-tolerant perennials thrives.

Rocky Fire Pit Area - Permeable

CA Yardscape

Inspiration for a small beach style backyard partial sun xeriscape for fall in Toronto with gravel.

Shoreline Cottage Garden

MJ McCabe-Garden Design

M J McCabe-Garden Design
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style front yard formal garden in Bridgeport with a garden path and gravel.

Beachy backyard

Swale Designs

Photo of a small beach style backyard partial sun garden in New York with gravel.

Front Yard Landscape

Stephanie D Poole

Pots provide height and are a solution to planting larger plants in smaller spaces.
This is an example of a small beach style side yard full sun outdoor sport court in Santa Barbara with with outdoor playset and gravel.

Private House Lucilla

Francesca Pagliai Studio Fotografico

Francesca Pagliai
This is an example of a large beach style side yard partial sun driveway in Other with a garden path and gravel.

Nantucket Residence

Sudbury Design Group

Located in one on the country’s most desirable vacation destinations, this vacation home blends seamlessly into the natural landscape of this unique location. The property includes a crushed stone entry drive with cobble accents, guest house, tennis court, swimming pool with stone deck, pool house with exterior fireplace for those cool summer eves, putting green, lush gardens, and a meandering boardwalk access through the dunes to the beautiful sandy beach. Photography: Richard Mandelkorn Photography

San Juan Island Residence | 13

Broadhurst + Associates

The Upper Shade Garden The small enclosed Shade garden occupies the site of the former owners’ “kitchen” garden. It was here, protected from the deer by rock and wire fencing, that the two elderly ladies grew vegetables and flowers for the house.

Eastbourne Seaside Garden

Capability Chris

Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour garden, night, arch
Inspiration for a small beach style shaded garden in Sussex with gravel.

Beach House Victoria

Simpatico Interior Design

The softly undulating rear yard is landscaped in a typically Australian coastal style. A large steel Japanese cauldron is a simple but strong focal point for the audience sitting on the stone wall. Exterior lighting enhances both the natural and constructed elements of this outdoor space. Photography by Sam Penninger - Styling by Selena White

Garden & Shed

Penelope Daborn Ltd.

This is an example of a beach style full sun garden in Portland Maine with with raised garden bed, gravel and a wood fence.

Cottage Garden, Aptos

Elemental Design Group

This coastal garden is a vibrant oasis of sustainable beauty. It features a welcoming wood entry deck that serves as a charming focal point and offers a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors. The garden showcases an array of colorful drought-tolerant perennials, thoughtfully chosen not only for their vibrant blooms but also for their ability to attract and nourish local pollinators.

Cape House

CBA Landscape Architects, LLC

Looking into the courtyard with the elevated planters and two Adirondack Chairs in a casual seating area Photo Credit: Robert Benson
Design ideas for a large beach style courtyard full sun garden in Boston with a container garden and gravel.

Fordyce | Brentwood

Cari Berg Interior Design

Photo of a large beach style backyard partial sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.

Beach Style Garden Design Ideas with Gravel

Get Inspired by Beach Style 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 beach style 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 Beach Style Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a beach style 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 beach style 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 beach style 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.