A rehab of a tired landscape to a vibrant usable space in the city. We designed and installed a beautiful natural stone flagging patio and paths with a gas firepit for entertaining. The front yard displays beautiful seasonal plants with a new fieldstone and bluestone landing and walkway. Accented with aromatic annuals and outdoor lighting.

Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

'Blue Fortune' agastache, 'Summer Beauty' allium, and 'Feuerland' achillea attract bees and butterflies to this perennial garden. Westhauser Photography

Compact & Contemporary | Dining Area

Beyond Landscaping

This Toronto backyard may be small in space but it's big on style. We created two defined living spaces - a dining area on a raised square cut flagstone patio and a sunken living area with a fire table that will add style to any evening ambiance. This space is a perfect extension of the house. It's not only big on style but function as well and makes it perfect for this young family of five. There is a cozy bbq area with bench height stone wall and lounge area for mom or dad, long stretch of grass perfect for throwing the football and dining for the whole family (even the little ones!) When design in small spaces, creating defined rooms and keeping the unity between them can make the space feel larger and much more functional.

Fire Pits

Good Earth Water Gardens

Granite fire table with surrounding flagstone patio and colorful landscape.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for fall in Kansas City with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Patios & Walkways

Hoy Landscaping Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Ranch on Virginia AVE I Phoenix, AZ

Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company

Mike Small Photography
Expansive transitional backyard full sun garden in Phoenix with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Potrero Hill Lookout

Seed Studio Landscape Design

photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio
Inspiration for a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with gravel and a fire feature.

Outdoor Living Projects

Beall's Nursery & Landscaping

Photo of a traditional garden in Other with natural stone pavers and with rock feature.

Koslowski Residence

Pro Care Horticultural Services

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts front yard garden in Indianapolis with with rock feature.

Home in the Woods

Charles C Hugo Landscape Design

photos Rob Karosis
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden for summer in Boston with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Glass House in the Garden

Flavin Architects

Modern glass house set in the landscape evokes a midcentury vibe. A modern gas fireplace divides the living area with a polished concrete floor from the greenhouse with a gravel floor. The frame is painted steel with aluminum sliding glass door. The front features a green roof with native grasses and the rear is covered with a glass roof. Photo by: Gregg Shupe Photography

Randy Landscape Remodel Mission Hills - Backyard

Villa & Mission Imports

Mexican Pavers Stair Treads in Corona line, are available at Villa and Mission Imports. Sealer as well.
Large mediterranean backyard partial sun formal garden in San Diego with a fire feature and brick pavers for spring.

Private Sanctuary

biota - Landscape Design + Build

Contemporary side yard formal garden in Minneapolis with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Boulder Retaining Wall - Sellwood

Tellurian Construction

Paul Cleary Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun garden in Portland with with rock feature.

Asian Inspired Woodland Garden

Jay Sifford Garden Design

We needed a bridge to cross the dry creek bed, so I designed a version of a Japanese yatsuhashi, or zig zag, bridge. It is clad in concrete backer board. I wanted to simulate a granite mountain plateau with a boulder peak. The client purchased the concrete lantern which perfectly complements the entrance to this woodland garden. Photo by Jay Sifford

Mediterranean Night

Red Leaf Developments, Inc.

Mediterranean backyard garden in Sacramento with with rock feature.

Southwestern Landscape

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

A fire pit and water feature are highlights of the courtyard. Photographed by Phil Steinhauer
Inspiration for a front yard garden in Denver with a fire feature.

Timber Cove Patio

Shapiro Didway

Patrice Jerome
Mid-sized contemporary garden in San Francisco with gravel and with rock feature.

Evening Garden in Wicker Park

Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc.

A view of the roof garden space in the evening Photos: Peter Hurley Art
Mid-sized eclectic rooftop garden in Chicago with a fire feature and decking.

Tropical Landscaping

Exteriors By Chad Robert

Main entryway features staggered terraces and tropical plantings.
Expansive backyard garden in Phoenix with with rock feature.

Garden Design Ideas with a Fire Feature and with Rock Feature

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.