In order to integrate the lower deck seamlessly with the canyon, we’ve made it a more informal space. A beautiful breeze keeps you cool even on the hottest of days and the view is absolutely incredible. Photo by Marcus Teply

Dry Stack Wall Feature at Front Entrance

Little Landscapes

A throw back to a traditional method for a modern, clean look. This front entrance was transformed with a stunning natural stone dry-stack wall planter set up.

100 I Ave

House Design Architects

Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun driveway for fall in San Diego with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Tuscan Style Home With Siloam Stone Walls

Accent Landscapes

This colored concrete patio compliments its surroundings nicely.
Photo of a large mediterranean side yard partial sun xeriscape for fall in Denver with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Suburban Woodland

Gardenalia Property Services, LLC

Mulched raised garden bed with concrete edging.
Expansive arts and crafts side yard full sun driveway in Other with a retaining wall and mulch for fall.

Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel and Lawn Replacement - Backyard, Novato, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Smooth Path Down

Private Gardens, Public Places

Flagstone steps lead down to the beach, surrounded by native plants designed to exist cohesively and offer both a pleasing aesthetic and a natural ecosystem.

Sloping Garden Barnet

Fenton Roberts Garden Design

Jo Fenton
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for fall in London with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Spa Residence

AB design studio, inc.

Ciro Coelho. hillside enclave | spa inspired living spaces. coy ponds | classic wood barrel soaking tub | coastal views. natural warm materials | re-use of antique balinese wood panel.

Landscape plantings in Jamestown, Rhode Island

HALI BECKMAN, LTD.

This Jamestown, RI residence has a steep grade change that Hali Beckman, Ltd addressed with recycling site bedrock for retaining walls. We also designed a planting plan with foliage color for seasonal color.

Towsley

Ventures Design

This is an example of an expansive country front yard partial sun driveway for fall in Detroit with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Glacier Hills Retirement Community

Serge van der Voo Landscapes LLC

Facing about a dozen single standing Villa units, this tiered-retaining wall and large planting bed replaced a once eroded hillside consisting of clay and rutted sod. With the retainment wall in place a healthy mix of sand and topsoil provided the foundation for a full mix of colorful groundcovers, perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees. Once established residents often remarked about the amount of bird nests and feeding taking place in the garden throughout the seasons.

Macadamia

Sphere Garden Design Studio

Small traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Adelaide with a retaining wall and concrete pavers for fall.

Northside Bozeman Residence

9bark DESIGN

Photo of a large country backyard full sun garden for fall in Other with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Landscape and Exterior Remodel in Kentfield, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This contemporary landscape was completely transformed with bluestone patios, pathways and stairways; stucco covered retaining walls, drought-tolerant trees and other plantings along with low-voltage lighting, fencing, and other accents. Photos and Design © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Design.

Mindy

Horvath Landscapes

Front Walkway and Steps with Pillars and Walls. Steps created from custom cut natural stone. Walkway and borders installed using India stone slate grey and black.

Olive Trees

Landscape Contractors

Old Growth Olive Transplanted in Motor Court
This is an example of a large mediterranean front yard full sun driveway for fall in Houston with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Outdoor Patio and Deck

Ventures Design

Jake Steward
This is an example of a large traditional backyard partial sun garden for fall in Detroit with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Traditional/Contemporary front yard in TMR

Northstone

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun driveway for fall in Montreal with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Urban Meadow

Composite Inc.

Photo of a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for fall in Philadelphia with a retaining wall and mulch.

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall for Fall

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.