Small Garden Design Ideas

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

Wooden Garden Gate

Land Art Design, Inc.

Designed and built by Land Art Design, Inc.
Small traditional backyard garden in DC Metro with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Small Fairy Fountain Basin

Magic Garden Dreams

One of the small fountainscapes we offer.
Photo of a small tropical backyard full sun garden in San Diego with a water feature and brick pavers.

Coastal Modern Farmhouse (Industrial, comfortable and budget friendly)

Brittany Stiles Design

A 1940's bungalow was renovated and transformed for a small family. This is a small space - 800 sqft (2 bed, 2 bath) full of charm and character. Custom and vintage furnishings, art, and accessories give the space character and a layered and lived-in vibe. This is a small space so there are several clever storage solutions throughout. Vinyl wood flooring layered with wool and natural fiber rugs. Wall sconces and industrial pendants add to the farmhouse aesthetic. A simple and modern space for a fairly minimalist family. Located in Costa Mesa, California. Photos: Ryan Garvin

Front walkway redesign

Heather Green, REALTOR®, Illuminate Properties

Concrete path with channels cut, gravel in place and succulents planted.
Small modern front yard garden in San Francisco.

Side Gate and Front Fence

Weld Peace

A natural forged steel fence and side gate for a project in Brunswick East
Small country front yard partial sun garden in Melbourne with a metal fence.

Cambridge St, Pimlico, London

Filipa T | Landscape & Garden Design

Container planting is scattered around with annual planting for year-round interest, where a large Olive tree provides height.
Design ideas for a small traditional backyard partial sun garden in London with with flowerbed and a wood fence.

Barbecue Comand Center

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Russel Lupine Blue,
Design ideas for a small eclectic backyard full sun garden in San Francisco with a container garden.

Entry Garden

Schumacher Associates

Phlox subulata kicks of the spring with its showy pale purple blooms. Contrasting with the purple blooms are the orange-red tulips and the yellow of Sedum 'Angelica'.

Cazenovia Lake House

A J Miller Landscape Architecture PLLC

Soft colourful plantings along the pathway, seasonal interest begins in early spring and the planting is still colourful in late summer. Less than a year old the planting was installed last October 2019 and now in August, it looks like it has always been there.

Center Valley, PA

Chestnut Hill Landscape Contractors

Inspiration for a small industrial front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with a garden path and brick pavers.

Birmingham Job

Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc.

Design ideas for a small traditional backyard garden in Detroit.

Small Changes, Big impact in Cupertino

Just in Thyme Landscape Design

A retired client wanted to jazz up the entrance to her home but leave the orchard, veggie beds and hardscape the way it was. Since she does all the maintenance herself, I wanted to make sure she wouldn't have too many weeds so we used the winter months to sheet mulch the area, killing the massive amount of existing weeds & enriching the hard soil. This worked beautifully. We added a flagstone pathway with Dymondia between the stones and a small area for her new bench to sit and enjoy the garden. She didn't want plants under her messy tree, so we decorated that area with pots. She has a huge deer & gopher problem which is why she hangs the white ribbons to scare away the deer from her fruit trees.

Irregular Mortared Curved Stone Walkway

THE KING'S MASONS

This client in Burke VA wanted to replace their existing builder supplied step stones. We designed and installed an irregular mortared bluestone walkway with graceful curves leading up to their front porch.

The Sherman Residence

Easy Landscape Plan, LLC

FINAL INSTALLATION PHOTO AUSTIN, TEXAS DIY WITH THE HELP OF CAREFULLY SELECTED PLANT MATERIALS AND BED LAYOUT BY EASY LANDSCAPE PLAN DESIGN BY: THE EASY LANDSCAPE PLAN TEAM INSTALLATION BY: THE SHERMAN RESIDENCE PHOTO BY: THE SHERMAN RESIDENCE

Secluded exotic garden

Green Tree Garden Design Ltd

Richard Brown Photography Ltd
Photo of a small contemporary garden in Cheshire.

Tiny Gravel Garden

Fenton Roberts Garden Design

Jo Fenton
This is an example of a small traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in London with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Tiny Gravel Garden

Fenton Roberts Garden Design

Jo Fenton
Design ideas for a small traditional courtyard partial sun formal garden for summer in London with a garden path and gravel.

Small Spaces

G Brown Design

Corrugated metal recycled from old shed, table base made from old water heater, flag stone reused from torn down building
Design ideas for a small eclectic backyard shaded garden in Salt Lake City with gravel.

Outdoor Spaces

Designs by Marshall, LLC.

Steven Marshall
Photo of a small beach style backyard garden in Boston with a fire feature.

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.