A small urban garden was the setting for a dense planting design. The landscape is very low-maintenance, using drought-tolerant plants, and narrow trees to maximize the useable space.

Rossmoyne Project

User

The interaction between the alfresco area and the garden - Photo: Julian Taylor
Small contemporary backyard partial sun garden in Perth with natural stone pavers for spring.

Castlebar Road, Ealing

Bayswater Interiors

Courtyard with stainless steel water feature. Bay trees and Box balls to provide structure with some lavender to soften the scheme and to provide additional colour and fragrance. Photo - Courtesy of KFH Ealing

Wildflower meadow surrounding house

Linden L.A.N.D. Group

Bare soil areas that were disturbed during construction were seeded with a Northeast native wildflower mix. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Inspiration for a small transitional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Burlington with a vegetable garden and natural stone pavers.

Cedar Fences

Split Rail Fence Co Denver CO

Small transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in Denver with a garden path and natural stone pavers for summer.

Late afternoon light

Georgia Lindsay Garden Design

Inspiration for a small contemporary courtyard garden for winter in London with decking.

Fairfield Beach

Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC

Photo by Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC A small residential, seaside property located on Fairfield Beach, Fairfield was renovated by the new owners and adapted for their active family. Barbara was the landscape architect in charge of all of the landscape elements upgrades. She designed new bluestone curving paths to access the front and side doors and designed new landscape lighting to enhance the walks. The existing trees were saved and she designed new shade and salt-tolerant plantings which were added to provide seasonal color and interest while respecting the existing plantings. Along the beach front additional native beach grasses were added to stabilize the dunes while removing some invasive plantings. This work will be phased over the next few years in an effort to keep the sand stable. Beach roses were incorporated into a hollow in the dunes. A small lawn area was renovated and the surrounding Black Pines pruned to provide a small play area and respite from the sun. Beautiful reblooming hydrangeas line the edge of the gravel driveway. Rounded beach stones were used instead of mulch in the island planting along the edge of the adjacent road planted with Miscanthus, Mugo pine and yucca. Barbara designed a custom kayak rack, custom garbage enclosure, a new layout of the existing wooden deck to facilitate access to the side doors, and detailed how to renovate the front door into only an emergency access with new railings and steps. She coordinating obtaining bids and then supervised the installation of all elements for the new landscape the project. The interiors were designed by Jack Montgomery Design of Greenwich, CT and NYC . Tree work was completed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT installed the new plantings, installed all the new masonry work and provides landscape maintenance services. JT Low Voltage and Electric installed the landscape lighting.

Balboa Park Craftsman

Juniper Landscape Company

Jesse Cryns
Design ideas for a small arts and crafts side yard partial sun xeriscape for summer in San Diego with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Edible Urban Oasis

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

In south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Photo credits, Mark Garff.

Girls Playhouse

JK interior living

Story time in the garden...
Inspiration for a small traditional garden in New York with with outdoor playset.

Outdoor Bathroom & Shower

Full Circle Design & Remodeling

Full Circle Design - Jeffrey Howard
Photo of a small tropical backyard partial sun garden in San Diego with natural stone pavers.

Drought Tolerant Lush Landscape

Treehouse Landscape Design

Design by Taryn Tree
Design ideas for a small traditional front yard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and river rock.

Residential Work

SOLscape, LLC

Small traditional side yard partial sun garden in Bridgeport with mulch for summer.

Garden with Integral Fountain

User

Photo of a small contemporary garden in Houston.

Modern Landscape

This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Denver with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Glendale

Newton Landscape Group

Photo of a small arts and crafts front yard driveway in New Orleans with a garden path and brick pavers.

Beach Front Yard Parking Pad Makeover

Green Apple Landscaping

Design ideas for a small modern front yard partial sun driveway for summer in Toronto with brick pavers.

Glebe

sticks and stones Landscape Design

This is an example of a small tropical backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Sydney with a container garden and decking.

Glebe

sticks and stones Landscape Design

Design ideas for a small tropical backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Sydney with decking and a vertical garden.

SW Birdshill Deck

Ross NW Watergardens

Corten steel troughs are planted with Sky Pencil Holly, Hebe, sedum, and dwarf grasses. This Lake Oswego desk is just off the master bedroom. Design and Photos by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens

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.