This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Fire Features

Stone Center

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard full sun garden for summer in DC Metro with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Ray & Syburg Residence

Venetian Outdoors

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard garden in Phoenix with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Life at the beach

Bayon Gardens

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden in Melbourne with a fire feature and gravel.

Santa Cruz Sustainable

K & D Landscaping, Inc.

Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)

Ealing, contemporary family garden

Beaufort & Rampton Landscapes

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in London with a fire feature, decking and a wood fence.

Asian-Influenced Suburban Sanctuary

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

These clients requested a highly functional backyard transformation. We worked with the clients to create several separate spaces in the small area that flowed together and met the family's needs. The stone fire pit continued the porcelain pavers and the custom stone-work from the outdoor kitchen space. Natural elements and night lighting created a restful ambiance.

Slim House

Matt Fajkus Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun garden for summer in Austin with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Outdoor Fire Pits & Fireplaces

NS Landscapes

Beautiful custom concrete paver patio featuring a square built-in fire pit, stone walkway and planting beds with boulder outcroppings.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard garden in Minneapolis with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Central District Edible Garden

Board & Vellum

Landscape contracting by Avid Landscape. Carpentry by Contemporary Homestead. Photograph by Meghan Montgomery.
Mid-sized transitional backyard full sun garden in Seattle with a fire feature and gravel.

Pacific Heights

The Foxy Garden

Mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Garden landscaping in Ealing, London

Positive Garden Ltd

Garden landscaping in Ealing, London http://www.positivegarden.com/portfolio/garden-landscaping-in-ealing/ Corten steel planters/ raised beds, oak benches, self-binding gravel, veg patch, Collingwood lights and corten steel fire pit. Turf: Tillers turf Stone: Raj Sandstone Designer: Emma Griffin http://www.emmagriffingardens.com/ Postive Garden Ltd

MODERN BACKYARD REMODEL

Envy Landscape Design Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Garden Putney

Landscaping Solutions

Photograph taken by Landscaping Solutions This contemporary London garden scheme was designed by Simon Thomas and built by Landscaping Solutions. The design comprises horizontal timber batten screening mounted with up and down lights. There is a central fireplace which also has storage space to the rear. The paving and steps are sawn sandstone incorporating LED strip lights beneath the step treads. The raised planters are painted white and planted out with Box hedging. The rest of the planting comprises Irises, Stipa grasses and Fennel.

Orinda Modern Outdoor Greatroom

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern side yard partial sun garden in San Francisco with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Wheelers Hill

The Garden Company

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard garden in Melbourne with a fire feature.

Modern outdoor living

Cleator Landscape Design

This home was in need of a indoor outdoor entertaining space that would compliment the residents desire for clean lines and crisp architectural elements. By adding a lounging area with fire pit, water feature, outdoor kitchen and dinning spaces all atop modern pavers we were able to greatly increase the useable space while providing the polished look the client longed for.

Sisters Custom Landscape

Land Escapes Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun garden for fall in Other with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Highland Residence

Utah Landscaping

Lower grass area looking up towards the outdoor entertaining space. Featuring decking, outdoor kitchen, trellis, firepit, hottub, and waterfeature. Landscape lighting brings a beautiful glow and ambiance to the landscape.

Cleveland Park Exterior

Impact Remodeling and Construction

Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard partial sun garden in DC Metro with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Mid-sized Garden Design Ideas with a Fire Feature

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.