To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.

Mid Century Modern in the Hollywood Hills - Front Patio

Bosler Earth Design

Designer’s Notes: Use mixed materials such as concrete pavers, wood, various stones and decomposed granite to add interesting plant textures to add appeal. ©Daniel Bosler Photography

MODERN BACKYARD REMODEL

Envy Landscape Design Inc.

Mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Sculpture House Oakland

Dodie Shoemaker

California living indoor outdoor modern yard
Photo of a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with a water feature and concrete pavers.

North Park Eclectic Landscape

Revolution Landscape

Urn water feature, saltillo steps with accent tiles, and drought tolerant plantings.
Small front yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Landscape Design

Dominion Interiors & Design LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Austin with concrete pavers and a water feature.

Los Feliz Modern Oasis

Becky Bourdeau Designs Inc

Shirak Agresta; Sidney Michael; Annette Gutierrez; Becky Bourdeau
Design ideas for a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and gravel.

Folsom Front Makeover

Luxury Outdoor Living, Inc.

A once over grown front yard received a much deserved makeover resulting in an inviting walkway and sitting area near a water feature. The complete project was implemented by Professional Image Landscaping, Inc.

Mow-less Bounty

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Francisco with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Al Beadle Project

On Site Landscape

This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Details

Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

This is an example of a large modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Small Indoor/Outdoor Living Nature Scape

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Boulder Fountain with Dry Creek, succulents, and low water grasses. Photo by Ketti Kupper
Design ideas for a small country backyard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Grace Design Associates

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Uber green earthy contemporary Winner of the Gold Medal and the International Landscaper Designer of The Year for APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers) Winner of Santa Barbara Beautiful Award, Large Family Residence

Plant Passion Garden

Plant Passion Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Portland with a water feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

The Courtyard

Conscious Environments Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized and australian native beach style courtyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Orange County with a water feature, concrete pavers and a wood fence.

Small Indoor/Outdoor Living Nature Scape

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Perspective showing boulder fountain with boulder fire pit near by. Inviting indoor/outdoor living. Weavers Bamboo screen for privacy. Photo by Ketti Kupper

Asian Inspired Garden

DREAMSCAPES Landscape and Design

Design ideas for a small asian backyard xeriscape in Seattle with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Let's go Mediterranean

Ravenscourt Landscaping and Design LLC

Ravenscourt Landscaping & Design LLC
Photo of a small mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape in Houston with a water feature and gravel.

Scenic Habitat

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Photo of a small mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Al Beadle Project

On Site Landscape

This is an example of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Xeriscape Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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.