In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects. The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth . Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography

Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Stone steppers lead to an irregular lannon stone fire pit area in this creekside backyard in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Westhauser Photography

Sophisticated Surrounding

SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction

The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.

Windsor Companies

This intimate, interconnected landscape gives these homeowners three spaces that make being outside a joy. Low stucco walls create a courtyard near the front door that has as unique sense of privacy, making it a great place to pause and view the pond below. Under the deck the stucco walls wrap around a patio, creating a perfect place for a cool refuge from hot summer days. A custom-made fountain is integrated into the wall, a bed of lush flowers is woven into the bluestone, and a view to the surrounding landscape is framed by the posts of the deck above. The rear patio is made of large bluestone pieces. Grassy seams between the stone soften the hard surface. Towering evergreens create privacy, drifts of colorful perennials surround the seat walls, and clumps of Aspen trees define the entrance to this enchanting outdoor room.

Backyard Bliss

Shambhala Landscapes

This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Pergola

Little Miracles Designs

Eco Modern

Eco Landscape Design & Build

Innis Casey Photography

Santa Cruz Sustainable

K & D Landscaping, Inc.

Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)

Enjoy the evening in the Garden- Back Yard

Bosler Earth Design

Fire pit seating area with fountain and pathway to upper level landscape. ©Daniel Bosler Photography

The Genius Bar

Rosewood Custom Builders

Costa Christ Media

Pimiento Lane

DD Ford Construction

Jim Bartsch Photography

Contemporary Garden Putney

Landscaping Solutions

Fire Features

Stone Center

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.

California Prairie Organic

Site Design Studio

Life at the beach

Bayon Gardens

Re-Imagined Shoreline | 14

Broadhurst + Associates

steve Woolridge

stevewoolridge

Fire pit

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

Just a Fabulous Place to Call Home | Wheaton, IL

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

The fire pit is veneered in house brick, lined with a fire brick interior, includes a custom log grate and gas starter, and is finished with a four-piece thermal bluestone coping. The sloping grade was excavated and retained with curved bluestone steps and snapcut limestone.

Garden Design Ideas with a Fire Feature and with Fireplace

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.