Inspiration for a contemporary front yard garden in Denver with a retaining wall.

SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction

The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.
Photo of a large traditional backyard garden in DC Metro with natural stone pavers and with fireplace.

Windsor Companies

This intimate, interconnected landscape gives these homeowners three spaces that make being outside a joy. Low stucco walls create a courtyard near the front door that has as unique sense of privacy, making it a great place to pause and view the pond below. Under the deck the stucco walls wrap around a patio, creating a perfect place for a cool refuge from hot summer days. A custom-made fountain is integrated into the wall, a bed of lush flowers is woven into the bluestone, and a view to the surrounding landscape is framed by the posts of the deck above. The rear patio is made of large bluestone pieces. Grassy seams between the stone soften the hard surface. Towering evergreens create privacy, drifts of colorful perennials surround the seat walls, and clumps of Aspen trees define the entrance to this enchanting outdoor room.

Modern Front Yard Landscaping

Techo-Bloc

This front yard landscaping project consist of multiple of our modern collections! Modern grey retaining wall: The smooth look of the Raffinato collection brings modern elegance to your tailored spaces. This contemporary double-sided retaining wall is offered in an array of modern colours. Discover the Raffinato retaining wall: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/raffinato-smooth/ Modern grey stone steps: The sleek, polished look of the Raffinato stone step is a more elegant and refined alternative to modern and very linear concrete steps. Offered in three modern colors, these stone steps are a welcomed addition to your next outdoor step project! Discover our Raffinato stone steps here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/steps/raffinato-step/ Modern grey floor pavers: A modern paver available in over 50 scale and color combinations, Industria is a popular choice amongst architects designing urban spaces. This paver's de-icing salt resistance and 100mm height makes it a reliable option for industrial, commercial and institutional applications. Discover the Industria paver here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/industria-smooth-paver/

Primrose Hill

Emma O'Connell Garden Design

Bespoke circular table and curving bench backed by retaining wall clad in vintage brick.
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard shaded garden in London with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Landscape Design

WINN Design+Build

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Fountain and Steps to the Top Destination Space- Back Yard

Bosler Earth Design

Fountain on deck in front of a retaining wall with steps leading to the upper landscape. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized and australian native contemporary backyard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Beautiful Gardens

Elise Landscapes & Nursery, LLC

Inspiration for a large and australian native traditional backyard partial sun garden in New York with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Franklin

William Howard Studio

Contemporary backyard partial sun garden in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and gravel.

Hardscaping

Fullers Landscaping

Mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Mediterranean Garden

Hawkeye Landscape Design

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

CONTAINERS

McCullough's Landscape & Nursery

Nick McCullough
Traditional garden in Columbus with a retaining wall.

Lafayette 2

Envision Landscape Studio

Photo of a large modern sloped full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.

steel and stucco walls

Huettl Landscape Architecture

cor-ten steel plates between concrete and stucco walls
Design ideas for a modern garden in San Francisco with a retaining wall.

Grace Design Associates

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Back from the ashes!! Burned in the Tea Fire. Lovely Mediterranean Garden. * Builder of the Year: Best Landscape and Hardscape for Santa Barbara Contractors Association

Retaining Wall With Shrubs

Big Rock Landscaping

Layered flower beds in this retaining wall are a great way to add greenery and dimension to the backyard landscape.
Contemporary sloped garden in Salt Lake City with a retaining wall.

Seneca Residence

Verdance Landscape Architecture

The driveway was rebuilt with permeable Belgard 'Old World' pavers to complement the Spanish style home. Slabs of 'Autumn Gold' create steps up to the front seating area, which is contained by a seatwall clad in 'Mt. Moriah' ledge stone. Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan.

Hummelheim - Insektenfreundlicher Familiengarten bei Berlin

Dendron Exterior Design - Gartengestaltung Berlin

Schiefer - Naturstein - Trockenmauer Slate - natural stone - dry stone wall Verbena bonariensis - Eisenkraut - Argentinian vervain Stipa gigantea Stipa tenuissima Thymus praecox Pinus mugo Rocks Clematis Magnolia Salvia Achillea filipendula 'Feuerland'

Creating Space in Glassell Park

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

We started by levelling the top area into two terraced lawns of low water Kurapia and more than doubling the space on the lower level with retaining walls. We built a striking new pergola with a graphic steel-patterned roof to make a covered seating area. Along with creating shade, the roof casts a movie reel of shade patterns throughout the day. Now there is ample space to kick back and relax, watching the sun spread its glow on the surrounding hillside as it makes its slow journey down the horizon towards sunset. An aerodynamic fan keeps the air pleasantly cool and refreshing. At night the backyard comes alive with an ethereal lighting scheme illuminating the space and making it a place you can enjoy well into the night. It’s the perfect place to end the day.

Modern Address Marker - Fox Point, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

We designed an address marker constructed with cedar and natural stone. Slate chip mulch surrounds the plans and lannon stone boulders.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern front yard full sun driveway in Milwaukee with a retaining wall, gravel and a wood fence.

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall and with Fireplace

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.