A striking contemporary outdoor space to make the most of this wide, shallow garden with strong connections with the house. The design approach provides three key spaces across the width of the plot for outside dining and covered lounge seating; feature seating to act as a focal point; and formal lawn for flexible use. The garden features red accents in the pots and furniture, reflecting the interior design and a metal lourved furniture ensures the outdoor space can be enjoyed in all weathers.

Swim Spa, Outdoor Kitchen & Pergola Project

London Essex Outdoor Living

Full garden project with an outdoor kitchen, seating/bar area, aluminium pergola and swim spa with millboard decking/Italian porcelain tiling.
Design ideas for a large modern backyard full sun driveway for summer in Essex with decking.

TLC Steel Pergola Invites Alfresco Dining

TLC Gardens

Alfresco dining underneath the pergola at Gallagher Farm in Boulder, Colorado
Design ideas for a large country backyard partial sun garden for summer in Denver with natural stone pavers and a metal fence.

Pergola with Motorized Roof and Shade System

Dream Outdoor Solutions

Photo of a mid-sized backyard garden for summer in DC Metro.

Luxury Aluminium Pergolas & Outside Kitchen

Luxury Garden Design

Photo of a large contemporary backyard partial sun garden for summer in Surrey with natural stone pavers and a metal fence.

Stafford Retreat

User

Modern carport extends off face of home to provide cover for two cars. Poured in place pavers with gravel joints create an aesthetically appealing parking surface.

West Norwood Family Garden

Tracey Parker Landscape Design Ltd

This family garden was redesigned to gives a sense of space for both adults and children at the same time the clients were extending their home. The view of the garden was enhanced by an oversized picture window from the kitchen onto the garden. This informed the design of the iroko pergola which has a BBQ area to catch the evening sun. The wood was stained to match the picture window allowing continuity between the house and garden. Existing roses were relocated to climb the uprights and a Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ was planted immediately outside the window to give floral impact during the winter months which it did beautifully in its first year. The Kiwi clients desired a lot of evergreen structure which helped to define areas. Designboard ‘Greenwich’ was specified to lighten the shaded terrace and provide a long-lasting, low-maintenance surface. The front garden was also reorganised to give it some clarity of design with a Kiwi sense of welcome. The kitchen was featured in Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine, March 2019, if you would like to see more.

BACKYARD RETRIEVAL

Garden Structures & More

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard partial sun garden for summer in Minneapolis with gravel.

The Backyard Escape

Homely Design

Escape the everyday and relax in this inviting backyard retreat, complete with a fire pit and pergola for shade and ambiance.
Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard xeriscape for summer in Other with a wood fence.

Hurstpierpoint

Garden Spark | Outdoor Electrical Experts

Wonderfully lit garden pergola with warmly illuminated flower bed.
Design ideas for a small traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Sussex with natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Santa Cruz Sustainable

K & D Landscaping, Inc.

Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)

Hertford

Helene Garden Design

small garden big impact
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Hertfordshire with gravel and a wood fence.

Gärten gestalten!

Photo of a beach style full sun garden for summer in Dusseldorf with natural stone pavers.

Pergolas, Arbors & Trellises

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard shaded garden for summer in Chicago with natural stone pavers and a stone fence.

Hillside Garden Long Ashton

Iron Butterfly Design

Bespoke oak pergola, hazel hurdle screen sitting on oak deck. Outdoor kitchen to the rear of the space
Mid-sized country backyard full sun garden in Other with decking and a wood fence for summer.

Rustic Backyard Pergola - Cedarburg, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

We ran power to the rustic pergola for a fan and our client's string lights. Renn Kuhnen Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country backyard shaded garden for summer in Milwaukee with natural stone pavers.

Backyard Paradise

Morgan Howarth Photography

Maryland Landscaping, Twilight, Pool, Pavillion, Pergola, Spa, Whirlpool, Outdoor Kitchen, Front steps by Wheats Landscaping
Photo of a contemporary backyard partial sun garden for summer in DC Metro with concrete pavers.

Backyard Escape

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Large transitional backyard partial sun garden in Chicago with natural stone pavers for summer.

Lawrence Manor Backyard Sunken Patio

Green Apple Landscaping

Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in Toronto with concrete pavers and a wood fence for summer.

Townhouse garden

Neil Jones Design

Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.

Pergola Garden Design Ideas for Summer

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.