Central courtyard forms the main secluded space, capturing northern sun while protecting from the south westerly windows off the ocean. Large sliding doors create visual links through the study and dining spaces from front to rear.

Small Spaces

Outside Space

Anna Todd Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary courtyard partial sun garden in Sydney with a water feature and gravel.

LOW WATER LANDSCAPE GARDENS

Marc Mason Landscape Services

Marc Mason Landscape Services
Photo of a small transitional front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Orange County.

Circular Garden

Green Tree Garden Design Ltd

Our client’s garden was bereft of any interest, other than a large shed at the end of the garden, and a small patio outside the house. An unattractive stand of conifers dominated one side of the garden, and overpowered the space. These two areas were linked using a bold design of interlinking circles, with a cobbled path snaking its’ way down the garden to create a feeling of greater width and depth. A dry stone wall sets off the patio, and frames the entrance into the main part of the garden. A feature pot is set on a plinth at the bottom end of the garden, where it is visible from the house. The planting is colourful and interesting, with box balls used to reinforce the circular theme. The conifers have been removed and replaced with attractive ornamental trees that will provide more year round interest

Mid-Century Sideyard Landscape - Fox Point, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

A concrete walkway connects the new driveway to the vegetable garden on the side of the home. Renn Kuhnen Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury side yard full sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a vegetable garden and a wood fence.

Iron Security Fences & Gates

J & J FENCE

Mid-sized industrial front yard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with mulch and a metal fence for summer.

Backyard Basketball Courts in Sudbury

Sport Court of Massachusetts

Sudbury Custom Backyard Basketball Court with tennis hit board and lighting
Mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Boston with with outdoor playset and gravel.

Elton Lane Residence

Studio Balcones

Concrete stepping stones act as both entry path and an extra parking space. Photography by Lars Frazer
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury front yard partial sun driveway in Austin with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Small town garden no lawn

Amanda Shipman

Amanda Shipman
Inspiration for a small country backyard partial sun garden for summer in Hertfordshire with brick pavers.

Arts and Crafts Woodland Home Gardens, Phoenixville

Donald Pell - Gardens

This is an example of a large country backyard partial sun formal garden in Philadelphia with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Backyard pool buffer

Construction Landscape, LLC.

Bye Bye neighbors, you know what they say palm trees can make the best neighbors. Using Dwarf date palm and a silver fountain palm as the center piece makes for a lovely tropical buffer. Landscape designed and installed by Construction Landscape With Designs by Jennifer Bevins. Servicing The Treasure and Space Coast 772-492-8382.

Contemporary Landscape

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard shaded garden in Chicago with a water feature.

Narberth, PA - Landscape Restoration & Hardscaping

Refugia Landscape Design/Build

Front yard landscape restoration with perennial layer bed, blue stone slab walkway, gravel driveway, reclaimed barnwood cladding.
Inspiration for a small country front yard full sun garden in Philadelphia with with flowerbed and natural stone pavers.

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.

English Style Courtyard Garden

SolMauna Creation + Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden for spring in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Two mid-century modern front yards

Luciole Design Inc.

Once visitors pass the screen wall, they're welcomed by a fountain, landing deck and seat wall. These elements enclose the front door, creating a more intimate feel even though the door is set like a stage above street level. photo Mike Heacox / Luciole Design

Seattle Cozy Patio

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects. The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth . Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography

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.

Modern Urban Warmth, Capitol Hill

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

Our client built a striking new home on the east slope of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. To complement the clean lines of the facade we designed a simple, elegant landscape that sets off the home rather than competing with the bold architecture. Soft grasses offer contrast to the natural stone veneer, perennials brighten the mood, and planters add a bit of whimsy to the arrival sequence. On either side of the main entry, roof runoff is dramatically routed down the face of the home in steel troughs to biofilter planters faced in stone. Around the back of the home, a small “leftover” space was transformed into a cozy patio terrace with bluestone slabs and crushed granite underfoot. A view down into, or across the back patio area provides a serene foreground to the beautiful views to Lake Washington beyond. Collaborating with Thielsen Architects provided the owners with a sold design team--working together with one voice to build their dream home. Photography by Miranda Estes

Iron Fences

Custom Security Fence & Iron Works, LLC

Mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun driveway in Houston with concrete pavers for spring.

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.