Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Santa Barbara with a fire feature, gravel and a wood fence.

Beautiful Industrial Style Home

Juan Felipe Goldstein Design Co.

Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Orange County with a fire feature and gravel.

Modern Andersonville Oasis

Himsben Design Studio, LLC

In this urban context, we were tasked with finding a low-maintenance landscape solution for our client who travels extensively for work. Our award-winning design created a new seating area centered around a fire pit with bench seating and built-in LED lights to create a destination in the landscape. Our design incorporated low-maintenance materials and hearty plantings to create a serene escape from the city that requires very little upkeep. Large planters display seasonal annuals and frame the raised deck area.

Decatur Back Yard Makeover

Plants Creative Landscapes

This is an example of a large arts and crafts backyard garden in Atlanta with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Black & White Garden

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer

The dining table sits in an intimate nook next to the walk-out basement, looking out on the whole of the garden. Lime green fabrics provide contrast and complement to the black and white flowers and foliage. Design by Mary Kirk Menefee; installation by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Mary Kirk Menefee

Plants, Water, & Stone

California Naturescaping

Designed by: Alyssa Finley-Moore
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for fall in San Diego with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Not Just a Side Yard

Wildflower Landscape Design at K&D Landscaping

We transformed this unusable sloping side yard into a casual and modern outdoor living space. Complete with modern privacy fencing, fire bowl and an outdoor shower.

Rudy's Outdoor Paradise

Horizon Builders, Inc.

Poured concrete fire pit, stepping stones and patio area. Changed out window for a sliding glass door to beautiful outdoor space.
Photo of an expansive midcentury backyard formal garden for spring in Other with a fire feature.

Fireplaces and Surrounds

Uccello Development, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized beach style backyard partial sun garden for fall in New York with a fire feature and gravel.

Aquascape Fire Fountain

Magic Garden Dreams

One of our aquascape fire fountains. Can be an incredible add on to any new or pre-existing water feature.
Photo of a small tropical backyard partial sun garden in San Diego with a water feature, a fire feature, a garden path, with pond, with waterfall and river rock.

Woodland Retreat in Arlington

blue house gardens

Inspiration for a mid-sized country backyard partial sun garden in DC Metro with a fire feature and gravel.

Backyard Barbecue & Fire Pit for Social Events

Eco Minded Solutions

An open lawn space with no seating leaves room for the dog to run and play.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in San Diego with a fire feature and gravel.

Mid-Century Vibe Backyard - Bayside

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

A linear planting of Molinia arundinacea 'Skyracer' is mimicked by the bluestone path. Westhauser Photography
Mid-sized modern backyard full sun garden in Milwaukee with a fire feature for summer.

Mid Century Modern Renovation

K. Dakin Design Inc.

K. Dakin Design won the 2018 CARE award from the Custom Builder and Remodeler Council of Denver for the reimagination of the landscape around this classic organic-modernist home designed by Charles Haertling. The landscape design is inspired by the original home and it’s materials, especially the distinct, clean lines of the architecture and the natural, stone veneer found on the house and landscape walls. The outlines of garden beds, a small patio and a water feature reiterate the home’s straight walls juxtaposed against rough, irregular stone facades and details. This sensitivity to the architecture is clearly seen in the triangular shapes balanced with curved forms. The clients, a couple with busy lives, wanted a simple landscape with lawn for their dogs to fetch balls. The amenities they desired were a spa, vegetable beds, fire pit, and a water feature. They wanted to soften the tall, site walls with plant material. All the material, such as the discarded, stone veneer and left-over, flagstone paving was recycled into new edging around garden areas, new flagstone paths, and a water feature. The front entry walk was inspired by a walkway at Gunnar Asplund’s cemetary in Sweden. All plant material, aside from the turf, was low water, native or climate appropriate. Photo credit: Michael de Leon

Black & White Garden

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer

Entering the garden opens up a world of overflowing flowers and foliage. Design by Mary Kirk Menefee; installation by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Mary Kirk Menefee

Garden Fire Pit

Jane Ellison

Garden Fire Pit Jane creates the perfect outdoor gathering area with custom built round fire pit surrounded by curved teak benches in a circle, bordered by a retaining wall of vertical railroad ties. A custom built square birdbath provides a background counterpoint. Pea gravel makes a comfortable carpet.

Simple Getaway Cottage

MossCreek

This home is a simply styled version of the MossCreek Pin Oak home plan. The home's lines were kept clean and uncluttered with a nod toward a modern aesthetic on the interiors. The design of the home capitalizes on the views and works perfectly with the lot upon which it is built.

Wayne Residence

Altera Landscape

Photography: Jeri Kogel / Landscape Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc.
Mid-sized mediterranean side yard partial sun formal garden in Orange County with a fire feature and natural stone pavers for winter.

Landscapes

Rod Whitlow Landscape Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard full sun garden in Sacramento with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Cottage Style Outdoor Living in Upper St. Clair

Blackwood & Associates, Inc.

Inspiration for a large country side yard full sun garden in Other with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

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.