The problem this Memorial-Houston homeowner faced was that her sumptuous contemporary home, an austere series of interconnected cubes of various sizes constructed from white stucco, black steel and glass, did not have the proper landscaping frame. It was out of scale. Imagine Robert Motherwell's "Black on White" painting without the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston's generous expanse of white walls surrounding it. It would still be magnificent but somehow...off. Intuitively, the homeowner realized this issue and started interviewing landscape designers. After talking to about 15 different designers, she finally went with one, only to be disappointed with the results. From the across-the-street neighbor, she was then introduced to Exterior Worlds and she hired us to correct the newly-created problems and more fully realize her hopes for the grounds. "It's not unusual for us to come in and deal with a mess. Sometimes a homeowner gets overwhelmed with managing everything. Other times it is like this project where the design misses the mark. Regardless, it is really important to listen for what a prospect or client means and not just what they say," says Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds. Since the sheer size of the house is so dominating, Exterior Worlds' overall job was to bring the garden up to scale to match the house. Likewise, it was important to stretch the house into the landscape, thereby softening some of its severity. The concept we devised entailed creating an interplay between the landscape and the house by astute placement of the black-and-white colors of the house into the yard using different materials and textures. Strategic plantings of greenery increased the interest, density, height and function of the design. First we installed a pathway of crushed white marble around the perimeter of the house, the white of the path in homage to the house’s white facade. At various intervals, 3/8-inch steel-plated metal strips, painted black to echo the bones of the house, were embedded and crisscrossed in the pathway to turn it into a loose maze. Along this metal bunting, we planted succulents whose other-worldly shapes and mild coloration juxtaposed nicely against the hard-edged steel. These plantings included Gulf Coast muhly, a native grass that produces a pink-purple plume when it blooms in the fall. A side benefit to the use of these plants is that they are low maintenance and hardy in Houston’s summertime heat. Next we brought in trees for scale. Without them, the impressive architecture becomes imposing. We placed them along the front at either corner of the house. For the left side, we found a multi-trunk live oak in a field, transported it to the property and placed it in a custom-made square of the crushed marble at a slight distance from the house. On the right side where the house makes a 90-degree alcove, we planted a mature mesquite tree. To finish off the front entry, we fashioned the black steel into large squares and planted grass to create islands of green, or giant lawn stepping pads. We echoed this look in the back off the master suite by turning concrete pads of black-stained concrete into stepping pads. We kept the foundational plantings of Japanese yews which add green, earthy mass, something the stark architecture needs for further balance. We contoured Japanese boxwoods into small spheres to enhance the play between shapes and textures. In the large, white planters at the front entrance, we repeated the plantings of succulents and Gulf Coast muhly to reinforce symmetry. Then we built an additional planter in the back out of the black metal, filled it with the crushed white marble and planted a Texas vitex, another hardy choice that adds a touch of color with its purple blooms. To finish off the landscaping, we needed to address the ravine behind the house. We built a retaining wall to contain erosion. Aesthetically, we crafted it so that the wall has a sharp upper edge, a modern motif right where the landscape meets the land.

#7737 Petra Horizontal Porch Rail

Great Lakes Metal Fabrication

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard verandah in Detroit with with columns, brick pavers, a roof extension and metal railing.

New Front Porch, Stones, Railing and New Stairs

Experts Remodel

New deck made of composite wood - Trex, New railing, entrance of the house, new front of the house - Porch
Design ideas for a modern front yard verandah in DC Metro with with columns, decking, a roof extension and wood railing.

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)

Concrete Steps with Gravel Inlay

Lonestar Landscape

This customer wanted a pathway that could be used with no upkeep and no tripping hazards.
Photo of a small modern front yard partial sun driveway in Austin with with lawn edging and gravel.

Stadgartenlounge

besgen Landschaftsarchitektur

Design ideas for a small modern side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Cologne with with lawn edging, concrete pavers and a wood fence.

New Gambrel on the Block

CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTS

This new, custom home is designed to blend into the existing “Cottage City” neighborhood in Linden Hills. To accomplish this, we incorporated the “Gambrel” roof form, which is a barn-shaped roof that reduces the scale of a 2-story home to appear as a story-and-a-half. With a Gambrel home existing on either side, this is the New Gambrel on the Block. This home has a traditional--yet fresh--design. The columns, located on the front porch, are of the Ionic Classical Order, with authentic proportions incorporated. Next to the columns is a light, modern, metal railing that stands in counterpoint to the home’s classic frame. This balance of traditional and fresh design is found throughout the home.

Maple Street

Marina Rubina, Architect

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard verandah in Philadelphia with with columns and natural stone pavers.

Windsor Street Edinburgh

Westrak Ltd

This is an example of a traditional backyard garden in Other with with lawn edging.

Garden circles

Tere Trout

Garden grass circles, a fun approach to decreasing amount og grass and conserving water
Photo of a contemporary garden in San Diego with mulch and with lawn edging.

Landscape

koolbeanzzzz

Tropical garden in Miami with with lawn edging.

Larkspur Farmhouse

HEYDT DESIGNS

Photography by Golden Gate Creative
Design ideas for a mid-sized country backyard verandah in San Francisco with with columns, decking, a roof extension and wood railing.

Farmhouse

Bret Franks Construction, Inc.

Inspiration for an expansive traditional front yard verandah in Little Rock with with columns, natural stone pavers and an awning.

Piedmont Bed Designs

CHS Superior Landscaping

Garden bed that wraps around side of house with natural stone and plantings with brick edging.
Design ideas for a large modern side yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Other with with lawn edging and river rock.

Casa en Gavà Mar

Cláudia de Sousa - Interior Design

Jardin minimalista de estilo mediterraneo en Casa en la playa.
This is an example of a large mediterranean backyard partial sun driveway in Barcelona with with lawn edging.

Front yard renovation - River rock beds

Outside Dreams Landscape Design and Construction

Front yard renovation, river rock beds, boulders, mulch beds, edging, plantings
Photo of a mid-sized front yard full sun formal garden in Denver with with lawn edging and river rock.

New Stone Pavers & Brick transform Front Porch of this Craftsman home

CuttingEdge Built LLC

This beautiful new construction craftsman-style home had the typical builder's grade front porch with wood deck board flooring and painted wood steps. Also, there was a large unpainted wood board across the bottom front, and an opening remained that was large enough to be used as a crawl space underneath the porch which quickly became home to unwanted critters. In order to beautify this space, we removed the wood deck boards and installed the proper floor joists. Atop the joists, we also added a permeable paver system. This is very important as this system not only serves as necessary support for the natural stone pavers but would also firmly hold the sand being used as grout between the pavers. In addition, we installed matching brick across the bottom front of the porch to fill in the crawl space and painted the wood board to match hand rails and columns. Next, we replaced the original wood steps by building new concrete steps faced with matching brick and topped with natural stone pavers. Finally, we added new hand rails and cemented the posts on top of the steps for added stability. WOW...not only was the outcome a gorgeous transformation but the front porch overall is now much more sturdy and safe!

Farmhouse

Bret Franks Construction, Inc.

This is an example of an expansive traditional front yard verandah in Little Rock with with columns, natural stone pavers and an awning.

Main House Front Porch

GMF+ASSOCIATES architects

Inspiration for a traditional front yard verandah in Other with with columns, decking and wood railing.

Front Yard Paradise

EcoLawn SB

This Montecito front yard was transformed with artificial turf, boulder edging, planting, landscape lighting and more. Synthetic grass was cut to fit around a boulder edging. The boulders were from the mudslide tragedy in 2018. This landscape was rebuilt and renewed. Landscaping and stone edging surround this loop driveway.

Outdoor Design Ideas with with Lawn Edging and with Columns

Australian and New Zealand outdoor living is hard to rival – the warm, temperate climate encourages the year-round enjoyment of backyards, courtyards, patios, verandahs and balconies. These alfresco areas, sometimes referred to as outdoor rooms, are so ubiquitous with the Australian and New Zealand lifestyles that they are now being treated the same way as any other room in the house in terms of architecture and landscape design. Modern backyards and gardens are now extensions to the home. Even cooking is moving outside with many Australians and New Zealanders including outdoor kitchens in their home designs. Unlike the rest of your home, however, a backyard, patio or verandah needs regular attention, to ensure it doesn’t become overgrown with plants, or look drab when the weather turns. But clever decisions can reduce the level of maintenance needed to keep your alfresco areas and outdoor furniture looking fresh and neat. Browse the photos on Houzz for landscape architecture ideas, and engage with the outdoor specialists of your favourite picks, so you can make the most of your home’s outdoor living spaces.

How do I decide on my landscape design?

Before you dive head first into planning your outdoor areas, consider the site in which your home sits. Understanding your soil type, topography and climate will ensure you make the most of your site. Plants, for example, should grow comfortably in the climate and soil conditions, and complement the existing landscape. Next, take into account how you will use your outdoor areas and how much maintenance you can sustain. More hardscape – paths, walls, steps and decks – generally means easier upkeep. If you have children, you will want to divide your backyard into areas: you could opt for an entryway, entertaining area and play area. A sheltered area is usually a must, too, whether in the form of a pergola, awning or arbour. How much you entertain may dictate whether you want to include an outdoor kitchen, or even an outdoor bar. Outdoor specialists – landscape architects, landscape designers and garden designers – will be able to take your outdoor areas to the next level. Just browse Houzz professionals for a full list of experts in your area.

How do I create an outdoor room?

Outdoor rooms take the comfort of the indoors outside. No longer just a covered area in the backyard, outdoor rooms have a visible connection to the spaces within the home. Laser-cut screens could create a sense of enclosure for a modern veranda. Or, a patio could be an extension of your living room, with leather or upholstered chairs substituted with outdoor-suited materials. Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into outdoor rooms. An inner-city balcony, for example, could squeeze in a couple of chairs, a drinks table and a stylish shelving unit. Outdoor kitchens are one of the most popular types of outdoor rooms in Australia and New Zealand. They, too, can come in many forms, however many outdoor kitchens like to spill out from the interior. Those that stand their own often have a built-in barbecue, bar fridge, built-in sink and plenty of storage. A wood-fired pizza oven is just the cherry on top!

How can I get the most out of my front yard?

Your front yard doesn’t have to act purely as a transitional zone. A front fence can create privacy from a busy road and, in turn, open up the option of having a small courtyard in which you can entertain or relax in. Not having a fence, on the other hand, can make your front yard appear bigger, and will show off the architecture of your home. If this is the case, you may want to create a structural feature out of something like your letterbox. Pathways should be easy to navigate, well-lit and obstacle-free. Add more functionality to your front yard with a bench seat or herb garden; or keep your focus on creating a welcoming entry with a water feature, sculpture or garden art.

What small backyard ideas will maximise my space?

Small backyard ideas are plentiful on Houzz. You’ll notice terracing is popular in small backyards as it adds dimension and visually expands a small plot into distinct, separate spaces. Consider using large pots to break up the space, creating different points of interest, too. Next, think vertically. Tall plants are a great way to add height to a small backyard, or consider using a trellis, arbour or pergola to draw the eye up. Other small backyard ideas include complementing your interior with the same colours and style to make it feel more like its own living room; installing smart lighting that creates a backdrop or gently illuminates the area; and creating a focal point to distract the eye from the limited square meterage.

What retaining wall options are available?

A retaining wall isn’t just functional, but can add aesthetic value to your outdoor areas, too. Which retaining wall designs are best suited to you will depend of your budget, the incline of your slope, local regulations and the aesthetic you want to achieve. Timber sleeper retaining walls are the most common retaining wall, because they are relatively affordable; however, they do have limited longevity. If life expectancy is an issue, consider concrete sleepers, or clad the timer slats in Corten steel panels. A boulder rock bank is the most cost-effective type of retaining wall, and with the inclusion of plants, is often the most natural looking, too. Corton steel blades or rendered masonry walls can retain a small dip in your landscape and make an eye-catching feature, while masonry walls and drystone walls are the most expensive options, but do tend to look the best.