Photo of a large country backyard garden in Denver with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

The gently sloping natural stone and river rock stream bed replaced a traditional retaining wall and french drains. The use of different size stones, from boulders to small pebbles, creates texture and interest. The plants soften the stone and create movement. Photo credit: Lisa Meddin, Harmony Design Northwest

Stone Curving Steps w Lamp Posts & Walls

THE KING'S MASONS

Formal curving entrance stairs. Natural stone with flagstone capping on the lamp posts and curving retaining walls. We also installed a stone walkway to the front door. The patterning of the stone is exceptional - we have master masons!

Specially designed backyard with retaining walls

Hedahl Landscape Deck & Patio

Permeable paver patio installed over septic drainline to provide breathability. Raised garden beds built into wall allow access from above and below.

Pool House

Pearson Landscape Services

Quarry block wall
Inspiration for a large modern front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Austin with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Suffield Retaining Wall and Stairs

Western Reserve Hardscapes

Inspiration for a mid-sized country front yard garden in Cleveland with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

My Landscaping Work

Dave Ryan Landscaping Nantucket

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Natural Stone Mailbox

Breaking Ground

Photo Credit: Ryan Corrigan
Inspiration for a country backyard garden in Omaha with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Front Yard Simplicity

STC Builders

Photos by Joe Murgel
This is an example of a small modern side yard full sun formal garden for summer in Toronto with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Olde Maine

Amy Martin Landscape Design

Location: Cohasset, MA, USA When my clients purchased this historic house, they saw that this garden held great potential, even though the property had been somewhat neglected. They wanted the new landscape to evoke the feeling of an Olde Maine house that time had forgotten. Sitting on the front veranda in the shade of the treasured Horse Chestnut and Maple trees that flank each side of the house, we explored the possibilities together. The front yard sloped a bit too much for comfort, so we determined that building a stone wall in the middle would create a terrace, making both parts of the lawn more usable. Visions of parties and children's weddings came to mind. We put a set of elegant arching steps in the middle, leading down to the sunken garden. Large, mature Rhododendrons were planted at the base of the Horse Chestnut and Maple trees just off the front veranda. Boxwoods undulate beneath the trees with Vinca as a ground cover. Ticonderoga stone was used for the walls and steps, which was the closest match to the existing stone foundation. The exquisite masonry by Doug Brooks Masonry makes this staircase as elegant as a tiered wedding cake.

Board Formed Concrete Retaining Wall and Ipe Deck

Kimberly Mercurio Landscape Architecture

The board formed concrete wall, Ipe deck, stairs and privacy fence provide a secluded area for the cedar spa. New York bluestone is used at the bottom of the steps.

Lake Cottage Landscape

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

A small space was reimagined for clients on Lake Washington by Landscape Architect Mark S. Garff. In this photo a gabion basket wall holds back the steep slope, creating a flat garden area for viewing. A new horizontal board fence adds privacy and creates an intimate seating area at the water's edge. Photos by Mark S. Garff.

Modern Pool House for Sloped Site

Wyant Architecture

Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro
This is an example of a contemporary sloped partial sun garden for summer in Philadelphia with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Warrandyte

Mars Landscapes

Mars Landscapes
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard shaded garden in Melbourne with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

West Coast contemporary

Urban Habitats Landscape Studio

A curving flagstone path leads to an intimate seating area and small flagstone patio with a superb water view. The garden beds are edged with ornamental boulders for informal appeal.

Cornog Residence

Finishing Touches Landscaping

Design ideas for a mid-sized country backyard garden in Milwaukee with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Stone Masonry Walls (decorative) and Landscape Art Feature

Reyes Landscape Construction

This project consisted of stone masonry decorative walls at the front of the estate leading to the gated entry, where we also installed a decorative stone elements.

Outdoor Landscapes

SANTAROSSA MOSAIC & TILE CO INC

Photo of a traditional front yard garden in Indianapolis with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Woodland Garden

West Winds Nursery LLC

This generously sized patio is framed with large planters constructed with concrete masonry units and capped with rock edged Pennsylvania bluestone. These planters are a perfect spot for the owner to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers. The planters make for an easy to grow, maintain and harvest kitchen herb garden. The plants love the abundant sunshine found near the patio. The planter height was designed to allow them to also be used as seating during outdoor gatherings.

Cunningham Pond Residence

Larkspur Design

Seana Cullinan
Mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun garden in Manchester with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall for summer.

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall and Natural Stone Pavers

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.