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

Backyard Bliss

Shambhala Landscapes

This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

Design ideas for a large backyard full sun garden for spring in Nashville with a fire feature, river rock and a wood fence.

Fire pits and Fireplaces

GreenScapes Landscape Architects and Contractors

Traditional backyard shaded garden in Columbus with a fire feature and gravel for summer.

Front Yard Landscape

Stephanie D Poole

Photo of a small beach style front yard full sun xeriscape in Santa Barbara with a fire feature and gravel.

Fire Features

Stone Center

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard full sun garden for summer in DC Metro with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

lake house

Princeton Scapes Inc

Lakeside outdoor living at its finest
Design ideas for a large beach style side yard full sun garden in Boston with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

A Beautiful Garden

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

Phil Steinhauer
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard garden in Denver with a fire feature.

Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 5

Kate Eyre Garden Design

This is an example of a small contemporary backyard garden in London with a fire feature, river rock and a wood fence.

Ray & Syburg Residence

Venetian Outdoors

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard garden in Phoenix with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Pergola

Little Miracles Designs

Contemporary backyard garden in New York with a fire feature and decking.

Life at the beach

Bayon Gardens

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in Melbourne with a fire feature and gravel.

Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Stone steppers lead to an irregular lannon stone fire pit area in this creekside backyard in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a small country backyard partial sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

San Roque Get-a-Way

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Naturalist Stone Fire Pit, adirondack chairs and boulder bench make for a great outdoor living space. Holly Lepere
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard garden in Santa Barbara with a fire feature.

Garden Path

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Outdoor kitchen with pergola.
Inspiration for a large transitional backyard full sun garden for summer in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.
This is an example of an expansive contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Francisco with a fire feature, decomposed granite 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)

Sempervirens

Seed Studio Landscape Design

Photography: Travis Rhoads Photography
Small modern backyard partial sun garden in San Francisco with decking, a wood fence and a fire feature.

Ealing, contemporary family garden

Beaufort & Rampton Landscapes

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in London with a fire feature, decking and a wood fence.

Asian-Influenced Suburban Sanctuary

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

These clients requested a highly functional backyard transformation. We worked with the clients to create several separate spaces in the small area that flowed together and met the family's needs. The stone fire pit continued the porcelain pavers and the custom stone-work from the outdoor kitchen space. Natural elements and night lighting created a restful ambiance.

Garden Design Ideas with a Fire 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.