Photo of a mid-sized and desert look side yard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with brick pavers.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with with rock feature, river rock and a metal fence.

Tuscany Farmhouse Renovation

Sustainable Horticultural Environments

Design ideas for a large front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Orlando with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Modern Cottage

Sweet Smiling Landscapes

In this project I set out to create a modern yet inviting front yard. Having ditched the lawn we went with a drought tolerant plant pallet made up of gray and blue foliage, with pops of orange. I save on irrigation I designed the space to capture all the rain water that falls on the property. This was achieved through contouring the land to capture rain water and then incorporating various gravels into the hard scape. Gravel slows water down dining it a chance to absorb into the soil.

Marvelous Mid Century

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Dry creek. Photo by Ketti Kupper.
This is an example of a small midcentury side yard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and gravel.

Rosemary Beach

Alan D. Holt, A.S.L.A., Landscape Architect

The stunning white walls of this Rosemary Beach house contrast with the Mediterranean Blue tiles of the pool. The five scuppers pour a stream of sound into the small pool courtyard, providing an oasis in this busy neighborhood. The compact, native landscape provides year-round color and interest. Photographed by: Alan D. Holt

The New American Remodel 2019

By Design

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.

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.

The Secret Garden

Billy Goodnick Garden Design

View of the "secret garden" from the bottom of the terrace steps.
This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape in Santa Barbara with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

water-wise in the Santa Monica Mountains

SVA Home and Garden

This is an example of a mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with gravel and a retaining wall.

Raleigh Studios

Barefoot Landscape

Design ideas for a large contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with mulch.

Dupont Circle Courtyard Garden

Tiger Lily Landscapes, LLC

The owners of this urban rowhouse wanted a fresh look for their front garden, and a design that required minimal upkeep. To screen the view of businesses two doors away we installed wooden trellis panels on the stoop. A gravel-filled planting area minimizes upkeep while tidy evergreen boxwoods frame a lovely small Japanese maple to provide year-round interest. Custom ironwork on the gate and fence, as well as new flagstone paving and steps, provide the finishing touches. Photography © Melissa Clark Photography. All rights reserved.

A San Rafael Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Flagstone paving flows around the house and into the courtyard between the guest cottage and the house. An arched stucco wall with a wood gate marks the transition between spaces. Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

El Parque

Camille Beehler Landscape Design

mid century modern landscape with breeze block walls, turf panel, drought tolerant landscape.
Mid-sized modern front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path.

Priddis Acreage #6

Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.

Our clients hired us to create a landscape for their new acreage that stays true to the native setting. We utilized natural rock, large southern Alberta native trees and plantings, with rock slabs for steps down the walkout sides of the home. The new asphalt driveway will be going in now that the landscaping is complete.

Pergola and Studio

Weeds Garden Design Build LLC

A nice view of the custom steel veggie beds - plenty of chard here! Dry set flagstones are inter-planted with Kurapia ground cover, both low water and low maintenance. This was a great little design-build project for some great clients! We oversaw the construction of the shed, designed and built the pergola, deck, outdoor kitchen, water feature, flagstone patio, as well as installing the plants, irrigation and landscape lighting. So pretty at night!

Pearl Ave

Landscape-Fusion

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

Contemporary backyard oasis

Land Studio C

Photo of a small contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a vertical garden and concrete pavers.

Modern Long Beach Drought Tolerant Design

California Landscape Construction

Dan Solomon
Photo of a mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with a container garden and concrete pavers.

Sonoma

Urban Botanics

Design ideas for a large contemporary sloped shaded xeriscape in San Francisco with gravel.

Grey Xeriscape 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.