Slightly dramatic view of the space featuring the welcoming built-in bench, dappled vine-screen sunlight, and warm ipe wood deck.
Small modern front yard partial sun formal garden in Austin with with privacy feature, decking and a metal fence for summer.

Simply Elegant

Blue Hibiscus Gardens

Photo of a small contemporary backyard formal garden in San Francisco with with privacy feature, concrete pavers and a wood fence.

Succulent pots

Dorthy Pautz Landscape Architect

three tiered succulent pots were designed for the upper deck corner
This is an example of a small traditional backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with decking.

Western Red Cedar, cantilevered steps and benches

greencube garden and landscape design

We love a cantilevered step and in this tiny Sevenoaks garden they help us fully utilise the space making it feel bigger. This is the smallest garden we have designed to date, we call it our 'Pocket Garden', and we are very proud of it. We have transformed this tiny garden into a modern, easy to maintain social space. The steps are cantilevering out of the deck creating a wonderful journey to the lower garden. Our clients said "We love the garden so thank you very much". This garden has zero threshold - a smooth transition from inside to out. We have linked to their new wooden floors and dark grey windows, connecting and fusing the two, using a simple repeat palette of materials, textures and colours. We have incorporated a practical lift-up top to the bench to store their garden stuff. We have also included three re-circulating water blades that cascade into a dark grey pebble mulch. The lower area has been laid with astro turf, fitted to represent a carpet rather than a lawn. The oak sleepers, painted and matching the window frame, creating robust steps to the lower area, where we suspend a cantilevered bench from the boundary wall. We use very few plants - Dicksonia, Hosta, Polystichum and Buxus - an easy palette to maintain.

Modern Front Yard

Plan-it Earth Design

This formal front yard is appealing from the street. Photo by Amy Whitworth. Installation by Apogee Landscapes. Design by Plan-it Earth Design
Inspiration for a small modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Portland with with privacy feature and natural stone pavers.

Balmain

Think Outside Gardens

This small courtyard is a carefully designed combination of materials that allows the new and old structures to sit comfortably together and brings the whole garden up to date. The cedar bench top provides warmth to the outdoor space which is dominated by the restrained colours of the walls and flooring. While the consistent mid green colour of the planting provides structure to this garden the combination of varying leaf shapes and textures provides depth and interest. An offset layout to the bench seating allows for depth in the garden whilst the introduction of screen planting creates privacy. The result is a calming and relaxed garden in an urban setting.

Private Modern Garden

Outside Collective

Christel Leung
Photo of a small modern backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Harrisburg -River Front Mansion Project

GoldGlo Landscapes LLC

This mini patio is accessed by natural stone walkways
Inspiration for a small country courtyard partial sun formal garden in Other with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Courtyard Landscape Design Gresham Oregon

Ross NW Watergardens

The horizontal cedar slats work with the natural lines of the home. Landscape Design and pictures by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens
Design ideas for a small midcentury courtyard full sun formal garden in Portland with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Courtyard Oasis

sticks and stones Landscape Design

Photo by Peter Brennan
Inspiration for a small tropical courtyard full sun formal garden for summer in Sydney with brick pavers and a retaining wall.

Pergola Roof

The Garden District

Pergola Roof with sun shade and cover for sun and rain protection underneath.
Photo of a small contemporary backyard formal garden in Miami with with privacy feature.

Contemporary Gardens

VisionScapes

This garden is a perfect example of contemporary city design for a small space. Two custom built hardwood planters provide some height and depth to the narrow front yard. While the tile walkway is set on a stable concrete base ensuring safe passage in and out of the home in both summer and winter. The private back yard maximizes space by using a custom built hardwood table as both an architectural piece that defines the fire pit area, and an optional servery for larger dining parties. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

Natural Stone Steps

Paul Massad Landscaping

Photo of a small country front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Boston with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Entry path to covered porch

Tim Andersen Architect

Detail of brick paving at entry porch shows herringbone "carpets" set within a brick running bond.
Small traditional front yard full sun formal garden in Seattle with a garden path and brick pavers.

Bonsai Pavilion

Altura Architects

Our client has a large collection of bonsai trees and wanted an exhibition space for the extensive collection and a workshop to tend to the growing plants. Together we came up with a plan for a beautiful garden with plenty of space and a water feature. The design also included a Japanese-influenced pavilion in the middle of the garden. The pavilion is comprised of three separate rooms. The first room is features a tokonoma, a small recessed space to display art. The second, and largest room, provides an open area for display. The room can be accessed by large glass folding doors and has plenty of natural light filtering through the skylights above. The third room is a workspace with tool storage. Photography by Todd Crawford

Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Jeffrey Edward Tryon
This is an example of a small modern courtyard shaded formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Garden Transformation April

Herseys LTD

This is an example of a small modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Berkshire with with pond, decking and a wood fence.

Vienna Landscape Project

Boss Landscape Design

Inspiration for a small modern backyard full sun formal garden in DC Metro with a garden path.

Doylestown Pa

Earth Work Design

A fantastic outdoor entertaining area next to the spring house on this beautiful historic Doylestown property. Boulder walls and steps were used to fix the grade and a bluestone patio makes a great area for a fire pit and entertaining. Nick Pugliese

Courtyard Garden

User

A tiny outdoor space was made to feel larger by replacing the lawn with paved paths and a courtyard. New steps replaced a sloping path to the front door. This home now has great street appeal and the courtyard provides a pretty flower filled living space throughout the year. There is even a small vegetable box squeezed in.

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.