A small inner city garden gets a makeover. Front entry garden

This small, north-east facing garden, measuring around 100 m2, was in need of a complete transformation to bring it into line with the owner's interior style and the desire for an outdoor room experience. A series of bi-folding doors led out to a relatively small patio and raised lawn area. The objective was to create a design that would maximise the space, making it feel much larger and provide usable areas that the owners could enjoy throughout the day as the sun moves around the garden. An asymmetrical design with different focal points and material contrasts was deployed to achieve the impression of a larger, yet still harmonious, space. The overall garden style was Japanese-inspired with pared back hard landscaping materials and plants with interesting foliage and texture, such as Acers, Prunus serrula cherry tree, cloud pruned Ilex crenata, clumping bamboo and Japanese grasses featuring throughout the garden's wide borders. A new lower terrace was extended across the full width of the garden to allow the space to be fully used for morning coffee and afternoon dining. Porcelain tiles with an aged wood effect were used to clad a new retaining wall and step risers, with limestone-effect porcelain tiles used for the lower terrace. New steps were designed to create an attractive transition from the lower to the upper level where the previous lawn was completely removed in favour of a second terrace using the same low-maintenance wood effect porcelain tiles. A raised bed constructed in black timber sleepers was installed to deal with ground level changes at the upper level, while at the lower level another raised bed provides an attractive retaining edge backfilled with bamboo. New fencing was installed and painted black, a nod to the Japanese shou sugi ban method of charring wood to maintain it. Finally, a combination of carefully chosen outdoor furniture, garden statuary and bespoke planters complete the look. Discrete garden lighting set into the steps, retaining wall and house walls create a soft ambient lighting in which to sit and enjoy the garden after dark.

Pleached trees in side return - Stylish Woodford Garden Design

Earth Designs Garden and Build London and Essex

We created a distinct area in the side return to the house. A flat top tree planted outside the side doors give the wide sideway a courtyard feel and fairy lights make a magical canopy in the evenings.

Jardin pour une jolie chaumière normande "l'Agapé"

Nathalie JEANNE - Conceptrice de jardin

Jardin en Normandie revu pour dissimuler des regards d'assainissement.

South Pasadena Craftsman Cottage

June Scott Design

This driveway features a ribbon of stones and California native grasses that meanders along a Hollywood-style center planting area.

Dulwich Garden

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping

Bright Twist on Traditional

Blue Ribbon Lady Landscaping

High contrast plantings that give interest throughout the year -- Sunshine Ligustrum and Ruby Falls Redbud create a strong backdrop for Carex Everillo, Kaleidoscope Abelia, Lamb's Ear, and Lantana.

Layers, Tiers and Mix of Materials

Ravenscourt Landscaping and Design LLC

Wind in the grass, water in the stone bed, rusted steel, cedar deck and cement raised bed. This garden has it going on!

Vegetable Gardens

The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

Rear Garden, Biddenham, Bedfordshire

Green Tree Garden Design Ltd

The summerhouse provides a focal point in the bottom corner of the garden, and a place to enjoy shade in the morning, and the evening sun towards the end of the day.

Seattle Cozy Patio

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

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

Small Space Tropical Garden

User

Varying hues of lush green plantings give this small garden a tropical feel. The wooden fencing creates privacy and works equally well as a sound barrier. Palms and tall tropical plants add height and create the illusion of more space. The beautiful Blue stone pavers are from Stone Garden, NC. Photo credit: Matthew Erwin

Backyard - Japanese Garden

DabneyCollins

Cypress posts and cedar bridge. http://www.jerryfinleyphotography.com/

Arts and Crafts Woodland Home Gardens, Phoenixville

Donald Pell - Gardens

BEFORE

Contemporary Clapham Garden Design, South London

Josh Ward Garden Design

Contemporary Garden Design by London Garden & Landscape Designers, Josh Ward Garden Design. Cantilevered bench with bespoke artwork and fake grass. Low maintenance planting design and low energy lighting design.

beautifylvlanscape's ideas

Beautify (Landscape Design and Installation)

Landscapes

Z.O. Landscaping

Terraced backyard with raised pond and greenhouse

Hedahl Landscape Deck & Patio

New terraced retaining walls using Mutual Materials flat face khaki manor stone with pisa 2 coping cap. Rope lighting mounted under cap for night lighting. Custom freestanding arbors in cedar with hanging accent low voltage light for table. Green house tucks back into walls opening up space in the yard. Raised pond and waterfall in background beyond patio.

Backyard Remodel

User

Landscape Design & Build | Randy Graves

Martinson's Garden Works

Green 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.