Dramatic plant textures, modern hardscaping and sharp angles enhanced this mid-century modern bungalow. Soft plants were chosen to contrast with the sharp angles of the pathways and hard edges of the MCM home, while providing all-season interest. Horizontal privacy screens wrap the front porch and create intimate garden spaces – some visible only from the street and some visible only from inside the home. The front yard is relatively small in size, but full of colorful texture.

Meditation Garden

Ross Land Studio

An unused area of lawn has been repurposed as a meditation garden. The meandering path of limestone step stones weaves through a birch grove. The matrix planting of carex grasses is interspersed with flowering natives throughout the season. Fall is spectacular with the blooming of aromatic asters.

Modern Landscape

Small modern front yard full sun garden in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers for fall.

Lyneham House

Light House Architecture & Science

Ben Wrigley
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard garden in Canberra - Queanbeyan with a water feature and decking.

Extension, loft conversion & renovation - Russell Road

MAC Building Solutions Ltd

Nathalie Priem
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard garden in London with a container garden and concrete pavers.

La Sombra - Steel Vine Screen

Hush House

Detail of the steel vine screen, with dappled sunlight falling into the new entryway deck. The steel frame surrounds the juliet balcony lookout.
Design ideas for a small modern front yard partial sun formal garden for winter in Austin with with privacy feature, decking and a metal fence.

Landscape Water Feature Design & Installation Rochester NY Acorn Ponds

Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls

Landscape Water Feature Design & Installation Rochester NY Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls brought this Rochester (NY) front yard landscape to life with the installation of this stunning custom designed water feature which consists of bubbling urns, waterfalls, led lighting and beautiful aquatic plants. The sound of water running softly through this lovely water feature provides a relaxing sound that inspires relaxation which makes you want to sit down, relax, and enjoy all the simple pleasures life has to offer. Not only are water features lovely, they will make any space look more aesthetically pleasing and are the next best thing to living on a lovely lake or a sparking fish pond. This water feature has bubbling urns which can be installed with multiple sizes in groupings or we can design & install your water feature to have only one gorgeous stand alone urn. We love installing these beautiful urns in pondless waterfalls as well as in streams and fish ponds while adding LED lighting to them. Another cool feature is the addition of FIRE to the top of our fountains which really enhances the whole garden and makes the house stand out from the rest. The owners can sip their morning coffee on the porch and see a myriad of lovely birds and other pretty wildlife stop by for a quick sip of water. It’s a simple pleasure, but it brings a smile to the lives of our Western NY clients in Rochester & Buffalo New York (NY) and we love what we do. Our unique water features are also easy to maintain! Homeowners worry their new custom water feature requires ample work to maintain, but they do not. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls design experts are happy to discuss seasonal care of water features with our clients to ensure they’re being cared for properly, no matter the season. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls can help you design and install a beautiful water feature to add that peace and tranquility to your outdoor spaces. For large or small projects, there are always solutions to adding a water feature in your garden weather you are thinking about installing a pondless waterfall, one of a kind fish pond, custom water feature or large recreational pond. Acorn works with you from beginning to end so you can have a worry free addition to your backyard.

Beach Contemporary

Living Gardens Landscape Design

Succulent wall
Small contemporary backyard garden in Orange County with a vertical garden.

Decking level with inside the house - Surbiton

Bright Green Garden

Low light reflecting off the house.
Inspiration for a small contemporary garden in Surrey.

Harlem Backyard with slanted pergola

Little Miracles Designs

Pergola and kitchen are focal items.
Photo of a small modern backyard garden in New York.

Stylish City Refuge

Hufnagel Landscape Design & Construction Group

Small contemporary backyard garden in New York with a container garden and natural stone pavers.

Perennial Planting

Sylvan Gardens Landscape Contractors

Photo of a small traditional front yard full sun garden in Other with a container garden and gravel.

North Park Eclectic Landscape

Revolution Landscape

Colored concrete pathway with drought tolerant plantings and dry riverbed.
Design ideas for a small side yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Townhouse garden

Neil Jones Design

Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.

Stepping Stone Sideyard

Plan-it Earth Design

Stepping stones lead you to...
Design ideas for a small traditional backyard partial sun garden for spring in Portland with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Stone steppers lead to an irregular lannon stone fire pit area in this creekside backyard in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a small country backyard partial sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Garden For Flowers and Vegetables

Arrow. Land + Structures

---Landscape Design and Photography by: Marco Romani, RLA. ---Construction/Installation by: www.thearrowshop.com
Photo of a small traditional backyard partial sun garden in Chicago with a vegetable garden and brick pavers.

Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Casa Smith Designs, LLC

The star at the center of this veggie garden is the perfect place for the dwarf lemon tree. The six pointed star (just like the Great Seal of the United States) is ideal for the strawberries to cascade over the edges. The star is 6' with 3' clearance around the star so the space is wide enough to comfortably access the veggie beds from all sides. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton

London town garden

Arthur Road Landscapes

Jane Shankster/Arthur Road Landscapes
Photo of a small contemporary backyard partial sun garden in London with brick pavers.

Modern San Francisco Living

Boxleaf Design, Inc.

Small residential garden to suite a modern house and active children. -kwmla-
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard garden in San Francisco.

Small Garden Design Ideas

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.