AFTER
Inspiration for a small transitional backyard formal garden in Sacramento with with path.

Pasadena Showcase House 2019

Welcome to our design space at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. This “oasis” features a beautiful collection of koi fish, gracefully swimming in a 5’x8’ pond. Our modern, clean-cut paver patio is customized to intertwine with large seating boulders. By bringing the pathway right to the edge of the pond, we showcase our favorite cantilever effect. Softening the design, California-friendly plants and a stunning live plant wall surrounds the area, while lights can be seen hanging from the trees, extending the ambiance into the evening hours.

Mini-piscine dans un jardin de ville

La Nostra Secrets d’Intérieur

Jardin après travaux Crédits photos La Nostra Secrets d'Intérieur, toutes utilisations est strictement interdite
Photo of a small contemporary courtyard full sun formal garden for summer in Marseille with with pond and decking.

West London Courtyard Garden

User

A private garden designed, with minimal maintenance in mind, for a newly converted flat in Ealing. It has a long taxus hedge to provide year-round interest viewable from the property as well as to act as a backdrop to a Prunus ‘Accolade’ when it is in flower and leaf. This cherry tree is positioned centrally opposite a cantilevered glass box extruding from the facade of the building.

College Square

Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design

Modern Small Garden
This is an example of a small modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Dublin with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Townhouse garden

Neil Jones Design

Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.

Center Valley, PA

Chestnut Hill Landscape Contractors

This is an example of a small contemporary backyard shaded formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Texas Attitude with French Chateau Dreams

Botalia Designs

Natalia Lopez de la Cruz
Design ideas for a small contemporary side yard full sun formal garden for summer in Miami with a garden path and mulch.

Shelley Lake Backyard

Pacific Garden Design

Tucked away in a small subdivision, these homeowners have taken their builder-grade backyard and transformed it into a Japanese-inspired oasis. After the initial landscape design and construction by Pacific Garden Design, the homeowners have continued to craft an elegantly evolving landscape. A multi-level deck provides entertaining space as it steps down to the yard. A dry water feature anchors the corner of the yard, while a series of stone benches provide spots for quiet contemplation. The thriving garden area takes advantage of the southern exposure along one side of the yard and offers an opportunity for garden whimsy. Gravel pathways connect the space to the front yard and the natural area behind the property.

Magical Garden Property

Scenic Landscaping

Hidden garden details with natural stone walkway
This is an example of a small eclectic backyard partial sun formal garden in New York with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Intimate Broadview Terraced Patio

Spring Greenworks LLC

Inspiration for a small transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a container garden and concrete pavers.

Oak Park Italian Renaissance - Historic Charles S. Castle House

Arrow. Land + Structures

--Historic / National Landmark --House designed by prominent architect Frederick R. Schock, 1924 --Grounds designed and constructed by: Arrow. Land + Structures in Spring/Summer of 2017 --Photography: Marco Romani, RLA State Licensed Landscape Architect

Roseville

Landscape and Waterfall Creations

This is an example of a small traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Sacramento with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Laurelhurst Modern Garden

Northwest Native Landscapes LLC

Dramatic plant textures, modern hardscaping and sharp angles enhanced this mid-century modern bungalow. Soft plants were chosen to contrast with the sharp angles of the pathways and hard edges of the MCM home, while providing all-season interest. Horizontal privacy screens wrap the front porch and create intimate garden spaces – some visible only from the street and some visible only from inside the home. The front yard is relatively small in size, but full of colorful texture.

A side return large enough for a garden.

Sprout Up

Round the corner a bespoke floating bench sits over a pebble shadow with lighting underneath.
Design ideas for a small modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in London with a vertical garden and gravel.

Modern Ipe Hard Wood Privacy Fence

Little Landscapes

Custom made Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) privacy fence/divider. A gorgeous hard wood choice for outdoor fencing.
Photo of a small modern side yard full sun formal garden for spring in Toronto with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Artificial Grass in Rathmines Urban Garden

Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design

Small Garden Design featuring Artificial Grass Natural Granite and Golden Bamboo by Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design 014060004 Amazonlandscaping.ie

Bowden House

Aralia: Innovation in Landscape Design

A courtyard garden in Cheshire. The garden features rendered walls with raised slatted cedar fencing, box balls, modern planting in a contemporary design, differing levels and climbers. The garden is used to relax and to entertain.

Interesting Front Door Combinations

Kingdom Landscape

Kingdom Landscape
Inspiration for a small front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Other with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

A tiny ecosystem in the heart of town

Giuseppe Lunardini Architetto del Paesaggio

Carex, Hydrangeas and other shade-loving species have been inserted. Giuseppe Lunardini
Photo of a small traditional front yard shaded formal garden for spring in Florence with natural stone pavers.

Small Formal Garden 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.