Jo Fenton
Small traditional backyard shaded formal garden in London with a garden path and natural stone pavers for spring.

Updating the Existing

Marilyn's Dreamscapes L.L.C.

This is an example of a traditional shaded garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Fremont Firepit

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects. The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth. Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography

Japanese Garden Front Entrance Stepping Stone Walkway in Manalapan, Florida

Matthew Giampietro Garden Design

This Japanese garden front entrance stepping stone walkway, using black slate is installed by Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc. in Manalapan, Florida. Planting Design Akiko Iwata Planting Installation by Landco

Caribbean Garden

Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Inspiration for a tropical shaded garden in Miami with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Native woodland garden

Native By Design Landscapes

California native woodland garden.
Large contemporary sloped shaded xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path for fall.

Shade Garden Reading Retreat

Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard shaded formal garden in Minneapolis with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Tunbridge Wells showing 'Lutyens" bench seat at back of garden

Cowen Garden Design

Urban Garden seating area, photographs by Garden designer Andrew Cowen
Photo of a mid-sized country backyard shaded formal garden for summer in Kent with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Bedford Countryside

Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC

Barbara Wilson
This is an example of a large country backyard shaded formal garden for summer in New York with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Paths and Steps

Russell Combs Design

Inspiration for a large country sloped shaded formal garden for spring in Richmond with a garden path and gravel.

Award Winning New Canaan, CT Estate

Elise Landscapes & Nursery, LLC

Expansive traditional side yard shaded garden in New York with a garden path and natural stone pavers for summer.

Longfellow

Redmond Design Group Inc.

This project in Cambridge had an overgrown backyard space with no storage and no entertaining area. We designed and installed beautiful seating walls, a raised patio space, an enclosed trash enclosure, new cedar tongue and groove fencing, plants, lighting, irrigation, a green wall and welcoming moon gate to the garden. Accents in this garden were stained black to tie in to the house accents. A recirculating fountain was built to provide the relating flow of water.

Essex Backyard Walkway

DC Freeman

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard shaded garden for spring in New York with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Gallery

Fleck & Sons Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized side yard shaded garden in Cleveland with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

DG stairway

Equinox Landscape

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard shaded formal garden for spring in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.

English Tudor Gem

Architectural Gardens, Inc

The existing mature trees were protected and monitored by an arborist during the renovation process. A quaint bird bath is nestled alongside the patio and encircled with boxwood, under the tall canopy of an elder oak tree. Mike Crews Photography

Stepping Stone Walkway

Bay Avenue Plant Company

Stone Walkway with Hydrangea
Design ideas for a traditional front yard shaded garden for summer in New York with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Gilford

Landscape Constructions

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard shaded garden for summer in Perth with a garden path and decking.

Northbrook Illinois Shade Garden in June

Van Zelst Inc

Photo by Kirsten Gentry and Terra Jenkins for Van Zelst, Inc.
Inspiration for an expansive traditional backyard shaded garden for summer in Chicago with a garden path.

Whimsical Garden, Chevy Chase

Bethesda Garden Design llc

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way. By painting this older, teak swing a lively periwinkle color, the entire back corner has now come to life.

Shaded Garden Design Ideas with a Garden Path

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.