Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and decking.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional rooftop full sun xeriscape in New York with a container garden and decking.

July back yard and pool

Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Indianapolis

This project features many different materials in the landscape. Most notable was the boardwalk under the deck and the timber framed deck and patio cover. Accent lighting was added around the property to highlight trees, shrubs, fountains and walkways to add visual interest and extend the usability of the outdoor space long into the night for parties and gatherings.

San Francisco Outdoor Living Spaces

Artisans Landscape Inc

San Francisco wood hot tub and landscape designed and installed by Artisans Landscape.
Photo of a contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in San Francisco with a water feature and decking.

Kentish Town Small Chic Garden

Fork Garden Design

Small city garden with large built-in storage bench, constructed from block and render walls with Millboard artificial decking seat and Blades artificial lawn Philip Woodburn

Romantic garden with veranda

Studio TOOP

design: Studio TOOP and TOOP tuinhuisjes, 2013 location: Wilp, NL status: spring 2014, TOOP tuinhuisjes, Weldam Groenprojecten, Van Bert (Bert Jan Siebesma) en OSH Hoveniers photo: Joanne Schweitzer, July 2014 An irregular lot, the challenge was to come up with a way to connect all its corners and sections. The pergola in the same style as the new veranda (pilot project for www.tooptuinhuisjes.nl) helps link the back section with the rest, as do the repeating benches. The planting is used to fill the space inbetween that winds organically around the structures. The paving is mostly crushed shells with alternating sizes of Schellevis pavers in the patio areas. The sunken trampoline and the room for sleep overs in the veranda make the garden extra popular with the kids in the neighborhood.

CHULA VISTA SPA AND DECK

Promise Path Landscaping Inc

zack Benson photography
Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in San Diego with a water feature and decking.

Halsted House Backyard Koi Pond

Creative Zen, Inc. Landscape Designer & Contractor

Koi pond in between decks. Pergola and decking are redwood. Concrete pillars under the steps for support. There are ample space in between the supporting pillars for koi fish to swim by, provides cover from sunlight and possible predators. Koi pond filtration is located under the wood deck, hidden from sight. The water fall is also a biological filtration (bakki shower). Pond water volume is 5500 gallon. Artificial grass and draught resistant plants were used in this yard.

Retaining Wall

intimate spaces landscaping

Intimate Spaces turns unusable area into functional and beautiful spaces. Over 380 landscape timbers were used on this project. Retaining walls don't have to be ugly!

Highland Residence

Utah Landscaping

Trex Deck with built in hot tub elevated above a lower firepit deck with modern firepit box. Paver walkway leads to upper landscaping.
Mid-sized transitional backyard partial sun garden in Salt Lake City with a fire feature and decking for summer.

Santa Rosa Farmhouse

The Land Collaborative

TLC
This is an example of a large country backyard full sun garden in San Francisco with decking.

Pond Paradise by Landscapes WA

Landscape Industries Association Western Australia

FINALIST of Awards of Excellence 2014 - Best Special Feature - Built Feature
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard garden in Perth with a water feature and decking.

Neutral Bay Courtyard

Natural Elements Landscapes

Paul Glover
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard garden in Sydney with decking.

South Coast House

Acacia Joinery Pty Ltd

Architect: Fergus Scott Architects Builder: M & J Green Builders Acacia Joinery manufactured and supplied Australian hardwood timber windows and doors for this home on the South Coast, NSW.

Osborne Residence

Terra Nova Design Studio

Ted Spores
This is an example of a contemporary garden in San Francisco with decking.

Napa Estate

Diamond Construction Inc.

Design ideas for a country backyard shaded garden in San Francisco with decking.

Japanese Soaking Tub

Terra Ferma Landscapes

We loved this Japanese soaking tub nestled in a bed of river rocks against the bluestone wall.
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard garden in San Francisco with decking.

Asian Themed Garden (Palo Alto, CA)

Modern Landscaping, Inc.

A formidable pallet of Asian style plant species along with traditional bamboo construction and meandering stone and gravel pathways.
Photo of an asian backyard shaded garden in San Francisco with a water feature and decking.

Dickson Property

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

retaining walls, raised gardens, wood decking, wood walkway, custom wood structures, cedar fencing
Inspiration for a traditional backyard garden in Portland with decking.

John Dodge Compound

CLB Architects

Roger Wade
Photo of a country front yard garden in Salt Lake City with decking.

Garden Design Ideas with Decking

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.