Contemporary Landscape Design for a Narrow Back Yard in Napa, CA

Napa, CA residence. I designed a triangular-shaped pergola with decorative panels from "Parasoleil" that serves as an artful focal point while providing interesting shade patterns that casts its delightful shadows along fence and patio and bench below, changing its position as the sun moves throughout the day. My design solutions included a contemporary redwood horizontal fence to help screen the view of the hillside along with arbors for vines that help to break up the long narrow space. The landscape design includes angular planting beds, concrete pavers surrounded by gravel and a small lower-water lawn for the family to enjoy. The photos show the just planted low-water plants, vines and olive trees and again after a couple of months. Drawings, Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Sunnyside Zen Garden

Northwest Native Landscapes LLC

Photo of a small asian backyard garden in Portland with natural stone pavers.

Multiple Spaces Modern Small Yard

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture & COCO Gallery. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Photo of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Garden Dublin 4

Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design

Gold Granite Patio Boxwood Lollipop planting in urban Garden Design by Amazon Landscaping 014060004 Amazonlandscaping.ie
Photo of a small contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Dublin with a garden path, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Brazilian Hardwood Gate

B. Jane Gardens

Ryann Ford
Small contemporary backyard garden in Austin with natural stone pavers.

Modern horizontal wood fence with cap

Austex Fence & Deck

6' modern horizontal fence with cap in Austin, Texas
Small modern full sun garden in Austin with gravel and a wood fence.

Tavormina

ServeScape

Urban Agriculture Inc.
Photo of a small arts and crafts backyard full sun formal garden for winter in Atlanta with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Eaton Square

Lotus Landscape Design

We designed this simple front garden and removed existing cobble lock paving. We reset granite step , sourced and retiled the entrance area reusing rope terrocota edging.

Mid Century Courtyard Remodel

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. Photography by: http://www.coreenschmidt.com/

Award Winning Design - RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2011

Greenvision Garden Design

Our RHS Show Gardens can be seen here. At the 2008 Tatton Park Show we received a Bronze Medal for “Suspended Thoughts”. A year later we received a coverted RHS Gold Medal for our garden “A Place For Waste”. The garden used waste products and recycled materials to create a unique sustainable garden that received much interest from the television and media. We returned to the show in 2011 creating a minimalist garden built using sustainable materials sourced locally, adding a Silver Gilt Medal to our growing list of awards.

Multi-use Brick Patio

Dorthy Pautz Landscape Architect

The formal brick patio was designed using new McNear Brick which has a rustic look. The area is large enough for lounge seating and dining, and is well screened from the rear houses with new Little Gem Magnolias and from the neighbors shed on the side property line using Majestic Beauty Hawthorn standards.

Coronado Coastal Contemporary

Gravel To Gold, Inc.

Photo of a small beach style side yard shaded garden in San Diego with with privacy feature, concrete pavers and a wood fence.

Brick Path

Carey Ezell Landscape Design LLC

A reclaimed brick walkway approaches this historic home's farmer's porch. A cedar lattice fence creates a screen around the home's utility area.
Small traditional side yard full sun garden in Boston with a garden path and brick pavers.

Jardin Sant Cugat

JoanMa Roig - Paisatgisme

This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard partial sun driveway in Barcelona.

4 Season Colour

Meg & Kennedy Landscape Design Firm

This is an example of a small contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in Toronto with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Small courtyard garden with raised oak sleeper beds

Zinnia Garden Design

Small contemporary courtyard full sun garden in Other with gravel.

Terrasse jardin de graminées

Terre d'Olivier paysagiste

Inspiration for a small modern courtyard full sun garden in Lyon with decking.

Water Features

Denver Landscapes

Red strip stone with modern water fountain.
Photo of a small arts and crafts backyard partial sun garden for summer in Denver with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Fence at Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Garden allee path with copper pipe trellis Photo by: Jeffrey Edward Tryon of PDC
Design ideas for a small contemporary courtyard shaded formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with gravel.

Capitol Hill Dog Garden

Lake Forest Landscape Co. LLC

Why cant dogs have nice bathrooms too?
This is an example of a small contemporary side yard shaded garden in Seattle with concrete pavers.

Small Orange 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.