'Thalia' white Narcissus bulbs

Spanish Colonial Revival in Santa Barbara

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Katie's Backyard Renovation

EcoDesign SD

We designed a complete backyard makeover, including a custom build fireplace, a matching customized BBQ with stone veneer and a patio cover for shade and string light installations. The area is beautifully framed with a water wise artificial turf section on one side and crushed gravel on the other side.

Chris and Jess

AHG Interiors

Catskills Ski Lodge Hideaway A young couple from Brooklyn purchased this rustic cabin upstate and wanted the urban sophistication feel in their new weekend home without the typical deer heads.

Hawthorn Project

Deep Seeded Landscape and Design, Inc.

This private patio was built with steel screens and an outdoor fireplace. It is enclosed with stone seat walls and accented with lighting to make this patio enjoyable any time of day.

N. Raleigh Residential Backyard

ForeverLawn of the Carolinas

A backyard retreat was enhanced by the addition of K9Grass Lite by ForeverLawn of the Carolinas. Now the space is enjoyable for not only the dogs but the entire family.

明石の家３つの中庭に寄り添う平屋

arbol一級建築士事務所　

中庭の一つはぶどうの木を植えて秋の収穫を楽しみます。 Photographer：Yasunoi Shimomura

Garden in the desert

GO Designs Inc.

Designed for good energy... Our client was looking to create a space for retreat, tranquility, serenity. The existing space was somewhat funky without balance and made it difficult to feel good. Working within an existing courtyard space, we were limited. No matter, our goal was to remedy this outdoor courtyard/sunset balcony space. Our idea was to keep the space cozy but create destination spaces where you can lay down in the grass and look up at the stars. Walk bare foot atop the different hardscape surfaces, reclaimed brick patio & walkway, Silvermist flagstone, terra cotta tiles & tiffway bermuda. The idea of sitting in front of a magical rock island stone fireplace reading a book, sharing conversation with family & friends gives us warm feelings. Bubbling water features dance through out this space creating sounds of trickling brooks you could only hear if you were in a far far away place. The courtyard walls disappear, with plants and trees wrapping there arms around our client while relaxing under a 45 year old ascalone olive tree. A healing garden was the finished product, so much, its a space that you don't ever want to leave....

West Seattle Craftsman

Sortun-Vos Architects, P.S.

stone outdoor fireplace

Mission Canyon Hilltop Landscape and Pool

Natural Concepts Landscaping Contractors

We executed this Scott Menzel design that incorporates drought-tolerant plantings, fire resistant hardscaping and jaw-dropping views of mountains and oceans. In the tool kit: board-formed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls; gravel, mulch and custom concrete paver hardscaping; natural grass and other California native plantings; Ipe pool deck and surround; and gas fire pit backed by a suitable-for-framing-so-we-did view. Design | Scott Menzel Image | Kurt Jordan Photography

Katie's Backyard Renovation

EcoDesign SD

Del Mar Natural Modern Landscape

Revolution Landscape

Naturalistic meadow with feather grass and lavender.

Outdoor Living in Wide Open Spaces

Accent Landscapes

This landscape incorporates an outdoor living space with a generous patio, large fire pit, and built in seating. The use of artificial turf, xeric plantings, and the incorporation of the surround native landscape make this a very attractive and low maintenance landscape . Photo by Roger Haywood

Chris and Jess

AHG Interiors

Catskills Ski Lodge Hideaway A young couple from Brooklyn purchased this rustic cabin upstate and wanted the urban sophistication feel in their new weekend home without the typical deer heads.

A modern backyard in Culpeper VA

Revolutionary Gardens

Having grown up in southern New England, I LOVE stone. That's why this outdoor pizza oven showcases several types. The main body of the pizza oven is a local weatherface stone. The edges are accented with a mix of locally sourced river jack, and Mexican beach pebbles. A piece of granite helps the oven retain heat, and honed Pennsylvania flagstone provides the "landing pad" for pizzas - and for the chef's beverage. photo credit: Molly Peterson

Villa Feuerfest

RLB Architects

Backyard Makeover | Riverside, IL

Yuritzy RC Landscaping Inc.

Landscape Design | Build | Install

Dramatic Reinvention

The Amendola Group, Inc.

This clients vision was to convert a early 1900's stone cape with 10 plus acres in need of work into modernized weekend getaway with old world charm.

Fabulous outdoor kitchen

Kristen Rudger Landscape Design

Colorful, drought tolerant plants surround the patio.

Low Maintenance Mediterranean Landscape and Courtyard

Santa Barbara Home Design

Garden Design Ideas with with Fireplace and Gravel

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.