Grey Garden Design Ideas for Summer

The New American Remodel 2019

Cool outdoor shower with teak and deck floor. Railroad ties found on the property were repurposed to create a privacy screen for this showering space.

Northwest Indiana Marshall Residence

Smalls Landscaping

One-of-a-kind and other very rare plants are around every corner. The view from any angle offers something new and interesting. The property is a constant work in progress as planting beds and landscape installations are in constant ebb and flow.

The Lodge, Fulham Cemetery (Grand Designs)

Harry Holding Studio

The back garden for an innovative property in Fulham Cemetery - the house featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in January 2021. The design had to enhance the relationship with the bold, contemporary architecture and open up a dialogue with the wild green space beyond its boundaries. Seen here in spring, this lush space is an immersive journey through a woodland edge planting scheme.

Hollywood

Campion Walker Landscapes

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary courtyard full sun formal garden for summer in Los Angeles with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Drought Tolerant and Low Maintenance Landscape

Legacy Landscape

Mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun garden in San Francisco for summer.

Amersham Entertaining Garden

Chiltern Garden Design

A clay paver path sweeps between densely planted planting beds filled with perennials, shrubs, bulbs and box balls for evergreen structure. Pleached trees in large containers enhance the facade of the house along the main terrace.

Waterfall and Koi Pond

DREAMSCAPES Landscape and Design

Inspiration for a large asian front yard full sun garden for summer in Seattle with with pond and natural stone pavers.

New Entry Steps and Garden

Elizabeth Dudley Landscape Architecture

Granite sett compass design with new stacked rock wall incorporating unique granite stone uncovered during excavation work.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Boston with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Richards Residence

Foch Family Landscape Architecture

This landscape of this transitional dwelling aims to compliment the architecture while providing an outdoor space for high end living and entertainment. The outdoor kitchen, hot tub, tiered gardens, living and dining areas as well as a formal lawn provide ample space for enjoyment year round. Photographs courtesy of The Richards Group.

Pearl Ave

Landscape-Fusion

Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Tampa with concrete pavers.

Farmhouse REvamp and REbuild

yardscapes Inc.

Front entrance at the circle paver driveway and mortared stone columns holding the entrance lights.
Expansive country front yard full sun driveway in Minneapolis with natural stone pavers and a garden path for summer.

Hardscaping

Northwestern Landscape & Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary side yard full sun garden for summer in Seattle with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Office Cottage and Deck

Ian Moore Design

Ian Moore
Inspiration for a small modern backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in San Francisco with gravel and a retaining wall.

Step Renovations

Earth Art Landscapes Inc.

Regine Marsh
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun garden for summer in Other with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Modern Northwest Bend

Blooming Desert

This modern space offers maximum outdoor living for the homeowners with minimum maintenance with the use of 2' x 2' paver slabs, Mexican Beach Pebble and River Rock Mulch, drought tolerant plant material, drip irrigation and synthetic lawn.

Foster Contemporary Garden

PLT Design

Making the side return into a useable space with a bespoke bike store with green roof..
Small contemporary backyard full sun garden in Oxfordshire for summer.

Boardwalk back garden

Ivy & Bloom

This small back garden had more than its share of issues to address. From the narrow angled site, to the slope of the ground, lack of privacy, public drains, aging existing retaining walls and deck, underground electrical wiring, and difficult access, it really had it all! The clients wanted a leafy secluded spot, where they could relax, entertain and feel immersed in nature. They also wanted a small productive area for some herbs and fruit trees. A garden shed was required and a means of access through from the front garden, although privacy was to be important. The old deck was removed and replaced with beautiful vitex decking. This new deck connect the rooms of the house and wraps itself around the house, effectively managing the worst of the slope and creating clear symmetry within the angled boundaries. A central retained bed with a feature flowering cherry tree creates a generous boardwalk and makes the decking feel part of the garden. A privacy screen and considered planting increases privacy. A series of oversize platform stairs lead up to the highest part of the garden, which is filled with raised beds for vegetable and herbs and fruit trees. Generous natural schist stepping stones connect the utility area of the garden to the decked area and meander through the vege garden. The planting is designed to be leafy and green with soft white accents through the season. Beautiful feature trees include Prunus Shimidsu Sakura, Cercis Canadensis and Betula jacquemonti. Summer flowering perennials include gaura, verbena bonariensis, alchemilla mollis, anenome japonica and hydrangea. Photos by Dee McQuillan

A Hillside Retreat

Exscape Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Cleveland with a garden path and gravel.

Traditional Landscape

Design ideas for a large traditional front yard full sun driveway for summer in New York with a garden path and brick pavers.

Native Stone Raised Garden Bed

2 J's & Sons

Native Stone raised bed with a flag stone walkway.
Design ideas for a large traditional front yard partial sun garden for summer in Other with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Grey Garden Design Ideas for Summer

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.