CCI Renovations/North Vancouver/Photos- Derek Lepper Photography. This home featured an entry walkway that went through the carport, no defined exterior living spaces and overgrown and disorganized plantings. Using clues from the simple West Coast Japanese look of the home a simple Japanese style garden with new fencing and custom screen design ensured an instant feeling of privacy and relaxation. A busy roadway intruded on the limited yard space. The garden area was redefined with fencing. The river-like walkway moves the visitor through an odd number of vistas of simple features of rock and moss and strategically placed trees and plants – features critical to a true Japanese garden. The single front driveway and yard was overrun by vegetation, roots and large gangly trees. Stamped concrete, simple block walls and small garden beds provided much needed parking and created interest in the streetscape. Large cedars with tall trunks and heavily topped umbrellas were removed to provide light and to allow the construction of an outdoor living space that effectively double the living area. Strategically placed walking stones, minimalist plantings and low maintenance yard eliminated the need for heavy watering while providing an oasis for its visitors.

Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs

Whipple Russell Architects

Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs. Photo by William MacCollum.

Tuscan Villa

Carawan Architecture

Mark Singer Photography

Contemporary Garden

The Boulders 3

Pascale Land Design

Aloe Ferox in the background, Penstemon, Verbena and Desert Marigold in the foreground. A great attraction for the Humming birds. Pascale Sucato

Temecula estate

Living Gardens Landscape Design

Courtyard Garden

User

A courtyard garden with a small, raised play pool that provides a seat wall and paving done in brick and Pennsylvania Bluestone. Design by Walter Dahlberg. Photo by Caroline Greene

From hayfield to elegant home

Bradford Associates, LLC

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired planters on either side of the porch entry.

Provincial Palace

Reynolds-Sebastiani Design Services

photos by Caitln Atkinson

PS House

IwamotoScott Architecture

Craig Scott

Braeswood Place Pool and Courtyard

Nature's Realm

Natures Realm

Country Farm House

a Blade of Grass

Peastone parking court with antique granite curbing, perennial planting beds and evergreen screening.

A San Rafael Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Guest cottage forecourt, with flagstone paving, also created by removing a section of the driveway. The planting and pots compliment the style of the house. This garden has been featured on the Marin Ecological Garden Tour 2009 through 2011. Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Living Walls

Urban Landscape

http://onpagevisibility.com

Fence at Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Garden allee path with copper pipe trellis Photo by: Jeffrey Edward Tryon of PDC

Rose Garden

Design Focus International

Portfolio

D-CRAIN Design and Construction

Courtyard

Jobe Corral Architects

This house was designed around a small courtyard. Photos by Casey Woods

Cutting Garden

AHBL

Japanese Garden in Manhattan

New Eco Landscapes

Japanese courtyard garden in NYC. This garden was built in a dark courtyard on top of a roof. All plants are real and had to be planted within the mounds.

Courtyard 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.