The owners of this urban rowhouse wanted a fresh look for their front garden, and a design that required minimal upkeep. To screen the view of businesses two doors away we installed wooden trellis panels on the stoop. A gravel-filled planting area minimizes upkeep while tidy evergreen boxwoods frame a lovely small Japanese maple to provide year-round interest. Custom ironwork on the gate and fence, as well as new flagstone paving and steps, provide the finishing touches. Photography © Melissa Clark Photography. All rights reserved.

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.

Modern Landscape with Fiberglass Pool, slab patio, water feature and more!

Melanie Rekola Landscape Design

Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola
Inspiration for a small side yard full sun garden in Toronto with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Contemporary Landscape

This is an example of a small and desert look contemporary courtyard full sun garden for summer in Los Angeles with gravel.

Completed install with natural path walk, low water use plants

User

Small yard concersion from grass to a more meditative theme for client. We incorporated succulents, aloe, elephant food, desert lavender . we also removed the dirst from the back wall planter in order to tarback wall to protect the wall from water staining. Deana M. Chiavola

Small outdoor room with a green wall in Kensington

The Garden Builders

Pro Colour Photography
Small contemporary backyard partial sun garden in London with a vertical garden and natural stone pavers for summer.

Landscaping

Ponderosa Landscaping & Stonework

Stephanie Dacey
Inspiration for a small asian backyard garden in Boston.

Operation Neighbor Screen

Southern Landscape

When the neighbor expanded, the small, open courtyard became an extension of the neighbor's driveway. Southern Landscape designed and built a custom privacy trellis to shield the neighbor while creating an intimate retreat off the master bedroom. ,Asian jasmine climbs the trellis, while dianella, foxtail, and little gem magnolia highlight the custom water feature, all of which contributes to the quiet oasis.

Hampstead Small Garden

Peter Reader Landscapes

The view from the raised seating area across the garden.
Small contemporary backyard formal garden in London with concrete pavers.

Backyard Basketball and Roller Hockey Court in Bedford

Sport Court of Massachusetts

Bedford Custom Backyard Basketball and Roller Hockey Court with rebounder and lighting
Small traditional backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Boston with concrete pavers.

Garden Design in Clapham, London 3

Kate Eyre Garden Design

Kate Eyre Garden Design
Photo of a small contemporary backyard garden in London with natural stone pavers.

Banyon

Jilzart Design

Design ideas for a small tropical side yard partial sun formal garden in Los Angeles with a retaining wall.

Private Garden designed by John Davies

CED Stone Group

Private garden designed by John Davies, using our black basalt paving, silver grey granite aggregate and cedagravel.
Design ideas for a small modern backyard garden in London with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Modern Ipe Hard Wood Privacy Fence

Little Landscapes

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

San Clemente Hummingbird Garden

Living Gardens Landscape Design

Our homeowners wanted a garden with a natural feel. We added concrete steppers with dymondia groundcover for a new pathway to the backyard. Low water plantings with a natural feel bring hummingbirds. Drip irrigation and permeable paving. The nasturtiums are from seeds planted by the owner, the leaves are edible. Vegetable beds and fruit trees in the backyard provide a bountiful harvest.

Condo Front Entry

Starbird Garden Services LLC

Spring blooms in a condo garden entry under a flowering plum tree. The plants in the ground: rhododendron 'Solidarity', Pieris 'Prelude', three cryptomeria japonica 'Little Diamond' small shrubs, chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise' tree, two erica carnea. Plants in pots: large pot, hellebores 'Pink Frost'; medium pot, solid white pansies; small pot, heuchera 'Paris'.

Motorized Iron Framed Gate with Wood Paneling

J & J FENCE

This is an example of a small modern front yard shaded driveway for summer in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Rain Gardens

User

Proto Design Studio LLC
Design ideas for a small traditional front yard partial sun garden in Other with a water feature.

Druid Hills Atlanta Meditation Garden

Plants Creative Landscapes

Homeowner wanted a space for meditating. The white gravel is calming and represents water. Knox lighting core drilled into bluestone patio highlights the view of the space from her living room.

Quaint Spanish Courtyard in Santa Barbara California

Santa Barbara Home Design

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Small 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.