This built-in bench provides ample seating, matches the home's sorrel trim, and provides protection from the garden's signifiant level change. California native grasses border the patio, adding greenery that makes the seat color pop. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

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.

Wood Fences

VIKING FENCE CO

French Park

Creative Landscapes Detroit LLC

pots & annuals by homeowner

Intimate and Cozy

The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

Thin Stone Veneer

Creative Masonry & Landscape of Cape Cod

Exterior and Landscaping

Clifton E Morgan Contractor

Whether it's a manicured front lawn, stone-paved pathway or intricate landscape design, landscapes benefit from the same attention to detail that the interior of your home does. Well-executed landscaping ideas can upgrade your home's entire aesthetic, and the right plants, flowers and shrubbery can greatly enhance your curb appeal by adding color, texture and even fragrance to your yard.

Natural stone terraces support walks and patio with meadow garden

Hanselman Landscape and Gardens

Iller Creek Residence

Pacific Garden Design

Contemporary Landscape with Basalt Columns Water Feature

Accent Landscapes

This retaining wall utilizes the same manufactured stone as this homes veneer, ensuring a perfect match.

The Front Yard Redesign

Pratt Guys

Paving a driveway and adding low stone walls to a front yard is a huge transformation that can add big value to your home.

Farmington, Ct. landscape 1

Old Farms Landscaping Inc.

Turf

Waterless Turf

Paul's Garden Gabions

Prospect Contractors

Buena Vista Color

Kaiser Gardens

Front Yard Simplicity

Photos by Joe Murgel

Waconia Landscaping Co.

Patios/Retaining Walls

Timberland Outdoor Services

Stone steppers with multi-tiered boulder retaining wall

More of Our Work

Meanix Landscaping

Short garden wall separates garden from lawn nicely. This patio was installed to support an above ground pool.

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.