A contemporary rear extension and renovation to revitalise the living accommodation of a mid-terraced Victorian dwelling within the Calabria Road Conservation Area. This handsome house in Highbury suffered from its traditionally enclosed layout. The works extended and opened the house to the rear, creating a light, expansive kitchen / dining area with direct connection to the newly upgraded garden.

Private Backyard

Dixon Projects

A private backyard gives this home additional outdoor space with cedar fencing, stone pavers and room to garden.

Cobble Hill Organic Modern

Little Miracles Designs

Curved corten wall and bench

Del Mar Natural Modern Landscape

Revolution Landscape

Naturalistic meadow with feather grass and lavender and bocce ball court.

MODERN BACKYARD REMODEL

Envy Landscape Design Inc.

NYC Suburb: Family-Friendly Elegance

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)

The landscape design for this property in an established New York City suburb marries stately elegance with relaxed outdoor living. The greatest challenge of the site was a considerable grade change over a small area (a third of an acre). We replaced overgrown shrubs and crumbling stonework with a clean hardscape design that clearly defines the flow around the property. A long play lawn in front is linked to a sideyard patio space and natural-gas campfire with broad bluestone block steps. A cozy dining terrace behind the house is hugged by a retaining wall that showcases friendly flowering plants and edibles. Set into the terrace wall is a custom water feature that brings sound and movement to the seating area. Exposed ledge in the backyard provides a fun playspace for adventurous kids, with a rope bridge leading to a playhouse.

Ranunculus, Sweet Alyssum & Blue Pansies

Maher & Greenwald Fine Gardens

Retaining Walls

Twin Oaks Lawn and Landscape, Inc.

Stone Walls & Stonework

Creative Masonry & Landscape of Cape Cod

Retaining Walls

Creative Fences & Decks

Backyard Transformation

EXECUTIVE CARE LANDSCAPE

Cherry Blossoms behind retaining wall. Stamped concrete patio leading around the house to the front.

Cornog Residence

Finishing Touches Landscaping

Somis Residence

CJ Paone AIA | Archipelago Workshop

Detail of cast-in-place, board formed retaining wall behind concrete mounted LED landscape light fixture, all flanked by agave blue glow | Kurt Jordan Photography

My Projects

User

Backyard Patio and Natural stone retaining walls with stairs

Classic Stonescaping & Gardens

Rock Garden–Glocester, RI

Andrew Grossman Landscape Design

Rock garden bordering stone wall and viewing terrace. Plantings include a variety of evergreen groundcovers along with heathers, flowering shrubs, and low-maintenance perennials.

Retaining Walls

Rockworks LLC

Landscaping

Blakewood Construction Inc

Creative Outdoor Stairs Options using Allan Block Retaining Walls

Allan Block Retaining Wall and Patio Wall Systems

Allan Block products can be used to create many types of applications including stairs. These projects were built in Pennsylvania and Maryland using products from Nitterhouse Concrete. They offer great colors and textures to compliment any outdoor landscaping the customer has requested. Beautiful stair application with terraced walls and flowing pathway to a large patio. Photos provided by Allan Block Corporation

Rustic Garden

Luxescapes, LLC

Meghan Himschoot

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.