Summer Gardens & Pool Paradise, Allentown, NJ

Our client's childhood memories of summer fun in her parents' pool and family time on Long Beach Island, NJ is what she wanted to recreate for her own children in the comfort of their backyard. The client's wish list included a pool that was versatile for all ages and activities. We teamed up with Liquidscapes to assist with the pool design process to ensure functionality and quality was achieved. The saltwater pool has a swim lane, sun-shelf, deck jets, built-in seating and a raised spa with an 8' spillway! The pool deck is built with limestone, which remains cool in the hot sun. A custom pavilion cantilevers the deep end of the pool serving as a shady poolside lounge. The wavy garden beds were designed to complement the freeform shape of the pool. The landscape consists of multi-layered magnolias, ilex, and cryptomeria to ensure privacy year round. Fagus, lagerstroemia, and cotinus add in-season privacy, color, and contrast. The large garden beds are filled with lush hydrangeas, perennials, perennial grasses, and ferns. During our presentation for the front of the property, which is the final phase of this project, our client said to us: "Over the years we have dealt with many design and build companies and we're very happy we finally found one that is a pleasure to work with and cares about delivering high quality results.”

Custom Fire Pit at Mesa Fire

TLC Gardens

Portable patio furniture at Mesa Fire provides options for dining and enjoying the fire in the outdoor living space.

Yarrow Point Lakefront Terrace

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

On Lake Washington, an existing pool terrace was disconnected from the rest of the yard and and waterfront. The site had a challenging slope, but it was no match for a thoughtful design and some earth moving equipment! A retaining wall at the edge of the existing pool was replaced with a wide, generous stair welcoming guests to a new, bocce-style terrace below complete with gas fire pit and stunning views. A gentle, winding path leads down to a waters-edge patio with intersecting stone and concrete patterns creating a visually dynamic experience. A small sandy beach and generous lawn complete the experience. A California style planting palette with beach groundcover, perennials and elegant, flowing grasses highlighted with LED low-voltage outdoor lighting complete the vacation-home-in-the-city feel. Photography by: Miranda Estes

Natural Stone Mountain Landscape

Terry T. King Landscape Architecture

Fireplaces

Botanical Concerns LLC

Spanish Oaks hillside. Lower granite patio with firepit.

Concord Backyard

a Blade of Grass

Ridge Views

Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.

This large property was a blank canvas when Pro-Land was hired to complete the design and build for this backyard retreat. Initially, the clients had just wanted a small outdoor space with a kitchen and a cabana with a fireplace. As the design progressed things changed; a secondary covered structure was added to the kitchen, and the patio was expanded to include a concrete pool. The natural stone fireplace in the cabana is a focal piece in this backyard. The wood and natural stone along with a crackling fire create a comfortable and cozy space to relax on those cooler summer nights. Raised planter boxes frame the path to the pool, separating the spaces while creating a cohesive feel through the use of materials. Truly an entertainers paradise, the yard features a gunnite pool complete with hot tub and tanning deck, a covered outdoor kitchen & bar, custom wood burning fireplace, and modern cabana finished with automatic roller screens, and sliding glass doors. Photography by: Effie Edits Inc.

Outdoor Backyard Oasis

Design Line Studio Inc.

Magnolia Residence- Hillside Renovation

Kim Rooney Design

Hillside Garden Designed by Kim Rooney Landscape architect, located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle Washington. This photo was taken by Eva Blanchard Photography.

Landscaping Ideas

Buechel Stone Corp

This retaining wall uses Buechel Stone's Fond du Lac Random Boulders to enhance it's natural surroundings. Click on the tag to see more at www.buechelstone.com/shoppingcart/products/Fond-du-Lac-Ra....

unilock edging

Greenscapes

Sand pit with pandanus tree feature

Instyle Habitats

An established Pandanus tree was planted as a feature tree and a shade solution for the Noosa style sand pit play area

Coolum Beach, QLD

Fluid Design

Backyard for Family & Furry Friends

Ambiance Garden Design, LLC

Backyard Renovation for family looking to share time with friends and dogs.

Modern Patio

Watercourse Design

Large modern family garden for entertaining and play

Harrington Porter

Overhaul of a large family garden with a contemporary feel - spacious and simple, keeping the space for kids to play sports, trampoline and use their styled playhouse. But with areas extending from the house for adult/family entertaining. A firepit, outdoor "bar area", feature dining area and floating bench with weather proof fabrics. Low maintenance materials - Millboard decking, artificial grass, painted trellis and powder coated pendant light supports, in a cohesive pallet of colours.

Potomac Kitchen Garden and Outdoor Living Area

Landscape Projects, Inc.

Walls

Magic Gardens Landscaping

Best Hand-Crafted Fire Pits for Your Backyard

Modern Blaze

Garden Design Ideas with a Fire 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.