This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.

Formal Graden Path with Arborvitae and Boxwood

Land Architects, Inc.

Land Architects, Craig Terrell, Ann Arbor
Traditional shaded formal garden in Detroit.

Formal Front Entrance Project – Vineland

LandArt

Slate grey Banas flagstone walkway laid in herringbone pattern, decorative brick pillars, Flamboro dark armourstone placements, and gardens.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden in Toronto with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Wood Fence and Gates

Custom Security Fence & Iron Works, LLC

Mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Houston with mulch for spring.

Rustic Mid Century Rock Garden

Ground One Landscape Design + Build

This is an example of a large country front yard formal garden in Minneapolis with a garden path.

Cashmere

FORM garden architecture

This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard formal garden in Christchurch with a retaining wall and decking.

Druid Hills Atlanta Meditation Garden

Plants Creative Landscapes

Homeowner wanted a space for meditating. The white gravel is calming and represents water. Knox lighting core drilled into bluestone patio highlights the view of the space from her living room.

Homefront Farmers Cedar Raised Beds

Homefront Farmers

Natural cedar 5x5 raised beds are rugged, rot-resistent, and attractive. They reduce the need to bend over and make great seats while working in your garden, too. Also, note the fully-protected berry enclosure in the background--perfect for securing your highly desirable crops from over-eager animals.

Inviting Patio with fire feature

Magnolia Landscape and Design Co.

Inspiration for a small traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Minneapolis with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Vernon Hills, Elegant escape

JK Design Custom Landscapes inc.

A very Elegant Design thats layered with different tones of greenery anchored with a Bradford Pear. Boxwoods, Hick Yews, Canidian Hemlock, Tina Crab, Azaleas and Barberries. A manicured look that provides seasonal color and portrays a very formal feel.

Culver City Garden Oasis

BE Landscape Design

Allen Haren
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in Los Angeles with gravel and a vegetable garden.

Wood Privacy Fence

Harrison Fence

Spindle Top Wood Privacy Fence
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in Raleigh with mulch.

The Colony House

The Design Laboratory

Leland Gebhardt
Mid-sized modern front yard full sun formal garden in Phoenix with a container garden.

Exterior projects (Mediterranean Style)

Ancient Surfaces

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Japanese Front Entry With Stepped Wooden Landings

Wilson Woodscape, Inc.

Mangaris wooden steps built in a Japanese style
Mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun formal garden in San Diego with a garden path and decking.

Gardens

LandZen Landscape Design & Construction

Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and brick pavers.

Castlebar Road, Ealing

Bayswater Interiors

Courtyard with stainless steel water feature. Bay trees and Box balls to provide structure with some lavender to soften the scheme and to provide additional colour and fragrance. Photo - Courtesy of KFH Ealing

Brooklyn Water Fall

AH Ponds, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary courtyard full sun formal garden in New York with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Cedar Fences

Split Rail Fence Co Denver CO

Small transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in Denver with a garden path and natural stone pavers for summer.

Clyde Hill Midcentury

Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers

This remodel of a midcentury home by Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers is an embrace of nostalgic ‘50s architecture and incorporation of elegant interiors. Adding a touch of Art Deco French inspiration, the result is an eclectic vintage blend that provides an elevated yet light-hearted impression. Photography by Andrew Giammarco.

Brown Formal 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.