This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Birds, butterflies and beauty

BE Landscape Design

Design ideas for a small beach style front yard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path.

Baldivis Garden

Naturesque

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Perth with a garden path and decking.

Array of Anigozanthos

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Anigozanthos create a Mediterranean screen around natural stone fire pit in the company of senecio, agave, sticks on fire Euphorbia
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard xeriscape in San Luis Obispo with a fire feature and gravel.

Westlake Hills 1

The Garden Design Studio

Jessica Mims, See In See Out
This is an example of a large country front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Austin with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Garden of Two Halves

Bestall & Co Landscape Design

Lee Bestall
Inspiration for a large country backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Other with natural stone pavers.

A plant focussed front garden

Yardstick Landscape Services

Inspiration for a large and australian native mediterranean full sun formal garden in Adelaide.

Meditation Garden

Ross Land Studio

An unused area of lawn has been repurposed as a meditation garden. The meandering path of limestone step stones weaves through a birch grove. The matrix planting of carex grasses is interspersed with flowering natives throughout the season. Fall is spectacular with the blooming of aromatic asters.

Traditional Garden

Landscaping Solutions

Inspiration for a small traditional backyard shaded formal garden in London with natural stone pavers and with raised garden bed.

Redbrick Roseville

Oliver Design Associates

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in New York.

Backyard Escape

Windscapes Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Grand Rapids with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Water Features and Ponds

Good Earth Water Gardens

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden in Kansas City with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Summit House

Spears Horn Architects

Entrance walk edged with pineleaf penstemon and daylily. Spears Horn Architects
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Albuquerque with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary New Home Landscape - Caledonia

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

A dry creek bed snakes through the planted area and is functional - taking rainwater from the front yard and funneling it under the driveway. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Woodland Garden- Los Feliz

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Decomposed Granite path between Giant Sequoias leads to repurposed, reshaped and stained rear concrete slab. Micro-climate appropriate plants complete the picture. Photo by Ketti Kupper.

Family Garden in Putney

Ruth Willmott Associates

Ruth Willmott
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard formal garden in London.

SC 3

Jon Eric Christner ARCHITECT INC.

Garden Entry - General Contractor: Forte Estate Homes photo by Aidin Foster
Mid-sized mediterranean side yard partial sun formal garden in Orange County with natural stone pavers and with path for spring.

Union Street

ballonSTUDIO interiors & remodeling

Our San Francisco studio designed this beautiful four-story home for a young newlywed couple to create a warm, welcoming haven for entertaining family and friends. In the living spaces, we chose a beautiful neutral palette with light beige and added comfortable furnishings in soft materials. The kitchen is designed to look elegant and functional, and the breakfast nook with beautiful rust-toned chairs adds a pop of fun, breaking the neutrality of the space. In the game room, we added a gorgeous fireplace which creates a stunning focal point, and the elegant furniture provides a classy appeal. On the second floor, we went with elegant, sophisticated decor for the couple's bedroom and a charming, playful vibe in the baby's room. The third floor has a sky lounge and wine bar, where hospitality-grade, stylish furniture provides the perfect ambiance to host a fun party night with friends. In the basement, we designed a stunning wine cellar with glass walls and concealed lights which create a beautiful aura in the space. The outdoor garden got a putting green making it a fun space to share with friends. --- Project designed by ballonSTUDIO. They discreetly tend to the interior design needs of their high-net-worth individuals in the greater Bay Area and to their second home locations. For more about ballonSTUDIO, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/

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)

Midcentury Landscape

Large midcentury front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel for summer.

Garden - Xeriscape and 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.