Inspiration for a modern backyard full sun formal garden in Denver with a fire feature and gravel.

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun garden in San Francisco with natural stone pavers.

Hoffman Residence

Scott Brinitzer Design Associates

Photographer: Roger Foley
Photo of a traditional front yard full sun formal garden in DC Metro.

Gamble Garden Spring Tour 2014: Webster

Hoi Ning Wong

Hoi Ning Wong
This is an example of a traditional full sun formal garden in San Francisco.

Oak Brook, IL

Bertrand Landscape Design

Photo of a traditional garden in Chicago with brick pavers.

Farmhouse Landscape

Country sloped garden in Atlanta.

Creative Outdoor Stairs Options using Allan Block Retaining Walls

Allan Block Retaining Wall and Patio Wall Systems

Allan Block products can be used to create many types of applications including stairs. These projects were built in Pennsylvania and Maryland using products from Nitterhouse Concrete. They offer great colors and textures to compliment any outdoor landscaping the customer has requested. Beautiful stair application with terraced walls and flowing pathway to a large patio. Photos provided by Allan Block Corporation

Newton, MA front yard renovation

Sallie Hill Design, Landscape Architect

Newton, MA front yard renovation. - Redesigned, and replanted, steep hillside with plantings and grasses that tolerate shade and partial sun. Added repurposed, reclaimed granite steps for access to lower lawn. - Sallie Hill Design | Landscape Architecture | 339-970-9058 | salliehilldesign.com | photo ©2013 Brian Hill

West Newton Residence

Jacalyn Gould Landscape Architect

This is an example of a large traditional backyard driveway for winter in Boston with natural stone pavers.

Remodel Sierra Madre

User

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard garden in Los Angeles with gravel.

My Houzz: A Dream Home Grows From an Empty Austin Lot

Kara Mosher

Kara Mosher © 2012 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard garden in Austin.

Tulips in planting beds

Conte & Conte, LLC

Conte & Conte, LLC landscape architects and designers work with clients located in Connecticut & New York (Greenwich, Belle Haven, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Fairfield, Southport, Rowayton, Manhattan, Larchmont, Bedford Hills, Armonk, Massachusetts) Coloful planting beds, thanks to Fairfield House & Garden Co. for building these!

Garnet Residence

Envision Landscape Studio

This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.

Side Yard Makeover by Shirley Bovshow of EdenMakersBlog.com

Shirley Bovshow

Garden makeovers by Shirley Bovshow in Los Angeles.This was formerly an abandoned narrow side yard used only to store trash cans. Now it is a favorite garden stroll area for the homeowner. See the complete makeover: http://edenmakersblog.com/?p=893 Photo and design by Shirley Bovshow

Classical entryway

Verdance Landscape Architecture

Columnar evergreens provide a rhythmic structure to the flowing bluestone entry walk that terminates in a fountain courtyard. A soothing palette of green and white plantings keeps the space feeling lush and cool. Photo credit: Verdance Fine Garden Design

debora carl landscape design

Photo of a contemporary sloped garden in San Diego.

Upper Skyway Pool and Outdoor Living

Accent Landscapes

This landscape includes a lot of opportunity for fun and play. It was important that we incorporate a spacious lawn area, play set, and trampoline into this outdoor space.

Floating Entry

Daryl Toby - AguaFina Gardens International

Photo of a garden in Detroit.

KH様邸古民家

株式会社ローバー都市建築事務所

Asian garden in Kyoto.

Wallingford Custom

Dacoda Homes

This is an example of a country garden in Seattle.

Grey, Beige 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.