While the homeowners' choice to build their new ultra-insulated passive house on an urban infill lot made sense on many levels, it also led to some major challenges. A massive basalt outcrop dominated the site, resulting in the lot remaining vacant for decades as the neighborhood grew around it. The architect sited the home on top of the outcrop with retaining walls around the home to create a flat plane to build on. Even pushing the limits this way resulted in limited outdoor space, but the intimate courtyard areas provide make the most of what's available. On one side of the house, the rock walls transition into tiered planting pockets before giving way to the natural slope. Selected native plants were added to the existing plant material that was preserved during construction.

Sunken Garden Oasis

Botanical Concepts Chicago

Woodcliff Road Residence

Jacalyn Gould Landscape Architect

bluestone entry stairs

Palo Alto

Huettl Landscape Architecture

Huettl Landscape

Sunken Patio using Retaining Walls to Expand Outdoor Livingroom

Allan Block Retaining Wall and Patio Wall Systems

Allan Block Product supplied by Midland Concrete in a Taupe color. Multi level walls were created to have built in planting area and a built in space for a fire pit - fireplace that isn't in the main patio space.

California Contemporary

Sogno Design Group

Photo by Langdon Clay

Versa-lok Retaining Walls & Steps

Topeka Landscape, Inc.

Versa-lok retaining walls and steps with landscaping.

Boulder-lined Hillside

Regenesis Ecological Design

Granite boulders, mulch and perennials improve hillside stabilization. Brick pathway leads through the garden and past a basalt retaining wall. anna caitlin photography

Eagle Rock 2

Red Berm

Newly built house needed a landscape. So from dirt sprang a usable backyard with a firepit, barbeque, retaining walls, and lawn area for the dog.

Modern in Eden

The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

Boulders taken from the excavation of the home site, are used as retaining walls on this sloping site. A hand carved, red sandstone Buddha meditates in the garden. Disturbed areas of the site were seeded with a drought tolerant, native grass and wildflower mix. Photo: The Ardent Gardener

Waterfront Home

Louise Johnson, In the Garden Landscape and Design

Zen Woodland Landscape

Patrick Murphy Landscape Design

Design and Photograph by Patrick Murphy

Deer Mountain Home

The Crafted Garden

Cottage garden with minimal electric fencing. Susan Irving

Tuscan Style Home With Siloam Stone Walls

Accent Landscapes

Retaining can be used to accommodate many site issues. It also creates attractive terraces that open up many landscaping possibilities.

Tuscany Meets Texas Hill Country

Elizabeth McGreevy

Integral Lighting

Starr Contracting

Stone Retaining Walls and Sitting Walls

English Stone

Pflasterung und Trockenmauer

Wilde Gärten Siegert & Späth GbR

Simple yet stunning

Gorski Landscaping

Low mainteance with a touch of pink ton help illuminate Japanese lace leaf maple tree

Los Altos Hills Residence 2

Thompson Studio Architects

Side Yard 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.