Transformation of a sloped backyard into terraced rooms, with focal points defining the use of each terrace: lounge area with firepit/fireplace, hot tub, edible gardening beds, a turfed play area, children's playhouse. Scope of work included new redwood fence, lighting, irrigation.

Rustic Weekend Getaway

The Crafted Garden

Long shot of the forest walkway from road through forest to the patio courtyard with fire pit. It is flanked by a slope with a dry river bed and an herb garden. Susan Irving - Designer

Palm Beach Tropical Garden

JK Design Custom Landscapes inc.

Natural stone wall allows for privacy and helps with noise factor. Add some depth with a high and low tropical garden with multiple color variations.

Small Retro Condo Garden- after (vintage mermaid bird bath)

A Small Green Space

Megan Malloy (after photos)

Retaining Wall and Planter Box Project San Ramon

United Constructors, Inc.

Wood Fences

VIKING FENCE CO

Hunters Hill

Harrison's Landscaping

Stone Walls

Creative Masonry & Landscape of Cape Cod

Romantic roses climbing breaks up the slatted trellis and mixed herbs such as Sa

Alexandra Froggatt Design

Alexandra Froggatt

Upper Patio With Arborvitae For Separation

The Sculpted Earth

Terraced Retaining Wall of AllenBlock Europa Series with low voltage landscape lighting, new plantings, and sitting patio of concrete patio pavers. Arborvitae in the background provide separation between spaces.

Hobbit House

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography

Sleeper Wall - Bromley

Chase and Bailey

The original rough build granite stone retaining wall had become dangerous due to the effects of time and lack of maintenance. We replaced it with this retaining wall made from treated railway sleepers. It was important to ensure the strength of this wall and so posts were installed along the length of the wall.

Tiered 5.5" Drystack Retaining Walls

Topeka Landscape, Inc.

Cut limestone steps and tiered 5.5" drystack retaining walls.

Tiered Stone Retaining Wall

Personal Touch Landscape & Gardening

This tiered retaining wall is made from stone and helps to add depth to this landscape! While serving its essential function, this wall also hosts a variety of garden beds!

6" & 14" Mixed Limestone Retaining Wall

Topeka Landscape, Inc.

6" and 14" mixed limestone retaining wall with 6" limestone steps.

Patios

Ronni Hock Garden & Landscape

Ronni Hock

Oak Park

Prime Gardens Inc

This backyard installation includes: New segmented concrete retaining wall, new grass lawn and new high efficiency rotary nozzle sprinkler heads that can be retrofit to existing systems to decrease water usage and waste. Prime Gardens has extensive experience custom retaining walls, sprinkler, drainage, and irrigation systems in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

Woodland Rain Gardens

CARBO Landscape Architecture

Rear garden terraces are framed by forest and lower rain gardens, filled with native birch, willow, fern and iris. Roof drains on the residence and french drains in the lawn terrace fill the space defined by low stone walls. Cypress logs were harvested from nearby river bottoms and milled to create the bridge that connects the terraces. The rain garden extends from forest edge to a large window in the master suite of residence. Photo Credit :Rebecca A O'Neal

Small garden with a very steep slope

Yorkshire Gardens

The design brief for this project was to bring order to chaos. Just 13 metres from the end of the extension to the hedge at the back but with a rise of 4 metres. Obviously the slope was a major issue and there were going to be a lot of walls. Rather than use traditional masonry we thought that steel gabions filled with a local sandstone would give a different, more organic feel. As this garden is also supporting the garden of the next property the gabions provide the necessary structural support without having to use several tonnes of concrete. We also installed planting bags within the gabion stone so that walls will be softened with greenery. The gabion walls were very hard work. On top of the excavation we brought in 48 tonnes of stone to fill them. Due to limited access this was all done by hand. As well as the walls we needed lots of steps and oak sleepers fit the bill here. The lower patio was extended and the middle section is where the hot tub goes. Rather than the usual wooden shelter for the hot tub we used a detachable shade sail. The sails come in many colours and can be changed to suit the mood. The garden was to be low maintenance but we still managed to fit a few plants into the scheme and pots will eventually provide a bit more interest. To finish things off a small amount of lighting to give just the right mood at night.

Old Short Hills Estate

Cording Landscape Design

Photography by : Marisa Pellegrini

Backyard Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

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.