We started by levelling the top area into two terraced lawns of low water Kurapia and nearly doubling the space on the lower level with retaining walls. We built a striking new pergola with a graphic steel-patterned roof to make a covered seating area. Along with creating shade, the roof casts a movie reel of shade patterns throughout the day. Now there is ample space to kick back and relax, watching the sun spread its glow on the surrounding hillside as it makes its slow journey down the horizon towards sunset. An aerodynamic fan keeps the air pleasantly cool and refreshing. At night the backyard comes alive with an ethereal lighting scheme illuminating the space and making it a place you can enjoy well into the night. It’s the perfect place to end the day.

The Laurel

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Decomposed granite panels with limestone curbing generate a high-impact visual for a low-impact space. Large containers at opposite ends of the panels help define the space, adding another level of interest. Landscape design by Josh Griffin.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.
Inspiration for an expansive modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Francisco with a fire feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

Rancho Santa Fe Edible Garden

Jackie and the Beanstalk

Basket of Bright Lights Swiss Chard
Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard full sun garden in San Diego with a vegetable garden and decomposed granite.

Enumclaw Residence

Lifestyle Landscapes, Inc

Gravel garden path going under the arbor planted with wisteria.
This is an example of an expansive country backyard full sun garden in Seattle with a garden path and decomposed granite.

Custom Design kitchen Garden & Fire Pit

Flora & Gardens Design

Mid-sized backyard full sun formal garden in Other with a container garden and decomposed granite.

Golden Spiral - Beecroft

The Other Side Landscapes Pty Ltd

Based on the a logarithmic spiral this garden required extensive protection of existing structures through the demolition of an existing swimming pool and the construction of a sweeping spiral like face brick retaining wall. The wall has a double bull nose capping and is raked and curved to meet the existing contours. The garden was intended to be functional, productive, provide habitat for a range of native fauna, relaxation and recreation for the owners. Features of this sustainable landscape include the hardwood bespoke day bed, circular frog pond, custom made and sourced special dry pressed bricks, and the sustainable, productive and elegant plantscaping. Photos by Peter Brennan

Dune House

Acre

Large monolithic architectural details are something we try and bring into all our projects, it’s these details that allow us to be looser with wilder with our planting palettes and for the outcome to still feel considered. In this case, the benches allowed us to terrace the site creating activated zones to higher use of the functionality. Photography by Derek Swalwell

Jardín Olivella

JoanMa Roig - Paisatgisme

El estudio fue contactado por Be.Rethink para llevar a cabo el diseño del jardín para esta propiedad llamada, hasta entonces, Casa Celma. La arquitectura original es de Jordi Capella, arquitecto y creativo catalán. Se encuentra en pleno parque natural del Garraf, en un típico paisaje mediterráneo meridional. Rodeado de encinar y pinar de pino blanco, que se agarran al terreno pedregoso y calcáreo del lugar. La intervención paisajística pretende respetar el lugar y la arquitectura existente (con reforma por parte de EXIT Projectes), mediante muros de piedra, materiales nobles -madera, metal, gresa- y una selección de planta mediterranea de muy fácil adaptación. Los lugares con tanta presencia de piedra madre en superficie, obliga a escoger muy bien qué y dónde plantar. Sin olvidar que es un jardín, con su atmosfera y su estética. Fotografía © Oleh Kardash

Un jardín en la sierra

Peonia Jardines

Photo of a mid-sized transitional full sun garden for spring in Madrid with with flowerbed and decomposed granite.

First home

Coy Land Techs

Coy Land Techs handled everything from design to construction on this back yard that once an empty lot and is now a backyard retreat.
Photo of a mid-sized and desert look transitional front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with decomposed granite.

Drought Tolerant Backyard Oasis

Balboa Design Group

Drought tolerant landscape with succulents create a backyard oasis in this La Mesa, California full home remodel. A combination of tone on tone Green paint is accented with bright white trim for a crisp and clean refreshed look. Large Redwood deck off the kitchen acts as an extension of the home offering our clients the quintessential Southern California indoor-outdoor vibe they had always wanted. Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard decomposed granite and wood fence raised garden bed in San Diego.

Outdoor kitchen and bar

Garden Architecture

Photo of a modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with decomposed granite.

Fairbanks Ranch Edible Garden

Jackie and the Beanstalk

I designed this custom fence and gate. Glass orbs are inserted at the ends of the dowels. They glisten in the sunlight and add colorful interest to the enclosure. The Cecil Brunner roses are spectacular when in bloom.

Rancho Santa Fe, Parterre Gardens

Jesse York, Landscape Designer

This award-winning design epitomizes luxury and formal Italian garden elegance, with natural decomposed granite walkways leading through meticulously arranged parterre gardens. Adhering to a sophisticated white, purple, and green color palette, these gardens bloom with carefully selected roses, irises, and geraniums. Celebrated annually on upscale garden tours, this project has become a beacon of design excellence, capturing the traditional Italian style with unparalleled sophistication.

Bohemian Canyon House

Studio Connate

Design ideas for an expansive and desert look eclectic backyard full sun garden in Los Angeles with decomposed granite.

Cash for Grass!

Greenbee Landscape, Inc.

We transform thirsty unnatractive lawns into colorful, interesting presentations of your property. Even better, the inner beauty of our work is that you will work less, fertilize less, water less, worry less and pay less every month for your beautiful new landscape.

Plant Passion Garden

Plant Passion Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Portland with a water feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

Expansion to Outdoor Living

Blue Stone Construction

Inspiration for a large modern backyard full sun outdoor sport court for summer in San Diego with with outdoor playset, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

Taylor Road Project

Veridian Outdoor Living

Decomposed granite entry path to rose garden parterre and raised bed vegetable garden.
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Other with a garden path, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

Full Sun Garden Design Ideas with Decomposed Granite

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.