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Small Garden Ideas and Designs

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Lush Backyard Getaway
Lush Backyard Getaway
Roundtree Landscaping, IncRoundtree Landscaping, Inc
A small traditonal urban garden with beds scaled to accommodate low-maintenance color and foundation plantings, a stone patio, containers, roses and river rock. Roundtree Landscaping.
Edible Urban Oasis
Edible Urban Oasis
Mark S. Garff, Landscape ArchitectMark S. Garff, Landscape Architect
In south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Installed June, 2014. Photography: Mark S. Garff ASLA, LLA
Small Condo Entrance Garden
Small Condo Entrance Garden
Specialty GardensSpecialty Gardens
Paul Kiefer / Specialty Gardens LLC
Secluded courtyard garden
Secluded courtyard garden
Beautiful Wild Garden and Landscape DesignBeautiful Wild Garden and Landscape Design
The Wisteria was leaning and completely entwined with an old obelisk, so rather than cutting it out and starting again we pruned carefully, keeping some long stems, then supported the plant - obelisk and all - against the new curved arbour. This photo was taken the first spring after the garden was completed. Wisteria is perfect for growing over an arbour so that you can look up at it, and the scent is held within the space.
Very Small Town Garden
Very Small Town Garden
Tom Howard Garden Design and LandscapingTom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping
Entertaining
Entertaining
Natasha Nuttall Garden DesignNatasha Nuttall Garden Design
An urban oasis in East London. This space has been transformed into a lush garden perfect for indoor-outdoor living. This garden has been designed so that it is divided into 3 distinct areas, each surrounded by lush. abundant planting. closest to the house a dining patio with a large built in parasol for sunny and slightly rainy days, a second patio area with sofa and chairs offers a great space for coffee, working and drinks near the outdoor kitchen and BBQ area. The substantial built in benches at the rear of the garden offers a wonderful space for relaxing and entertaining with dappled shade from the overhead pergola and plants in summer and warmth of the fire pit on colder nights.
Brockley
Brockley
Epoch LandscapesEpoch Landscapes
Shortlisted for the prestigious Pro Landscaper's Small Project Big Impact award. Used as an example of excellent design on London Stone's website.
Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 5
Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 5
Kate Eyre Garden DesignKate Eyre Garden Design
Hearth
Hearth
Seed Studio Landscape DesignSeed Studio Landscape Design
Photography: Travis Rhoads Photography
upper terrace night lighting
upper terrace night lighting
Dorthy Pautz Landscape ArchitectDorthy Pautz Landscape Architect
Path lighting using WAC balance, and accent up lights on Japanese Maple, Phormium and Cordyline Pot provide drama
Vego Garden | Eco Friendly Raised Garden Beds
Vego Garden | Eco Friendly Raised Garden Beds
Vego GardenVego Garden
Vego Garden is a Houston-based company with the goal to redefine metal raised garden beds. The company was founded under the concept to launch a modular garden bed systems with 20+ years design life, utilizing eco-friendly materials instead of cutting down trees.
First Avenue Garden
First Avenue Garden
PLANT Architect Inc.PLANT Architect Inc.
New edging was part of the 2020 refresh of the garden. Corten steel edging frames various materials and granular paving helps preserve tree roots.
Front yard Retaining Wall
Front yard Retaining Wall
Mary-Jo Melnyk Garden DesignsMary-Jo Melnyk Garden Designs
Clean new stone walls to keep this sloped front yard looking its best.
Birchgrove 2
Birchgrove 2
Leaf Stone WaterLeaf Stone Water
A sad and neglected garden needed an immediate transformation full of character to complement this charming Victorian terrace in preparation for sale.
Small Oasis
Small Oasis
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
The owners of this charming Spanish-style home wanted an oasis in their small backyard. In just 1,400 square feet, not only did we give them a pool and spa, but also an inviting area for lounging and eating, created from repurposed vintage brick. Their love of Mexican design is seen in a new Talavera-tiled outdoor shower area. Softly billowing California native plants mingle with a growing collection of cacti and succulents.
A Monochrome Moroccan Themed Courtyard
A Monochrome Moroccan Themed Courtyard
The Garden Trellis CompanyThe Garden Trellis Company
Quote from the designer: "A tiny haven in the city. More than ever even the smallest outdoor space has become the most precious retreat to connect with nature and take in some vitamin D. This little garden which is only 14 square metres (a further 19 square metres for a car parking space) the fretwork screens divide the two spaces, screening the car and creating a private place to sit. The planting includes lime green tumbling Lysimachia, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrows’, (not in flower yet) Euphorbia wulfenii forming the backbone. " - Georgia Lindsay Garden Design
Richmond Asian Garden
Richmond Asian Garden
Northwest Native Landscapes LLCNorthwest Native Landscapes LLC
This compact, urban backyard was in desperate need of privacy. We created a series of outdoor rooms, privacy screens, and lush plantings all with an Asian-inspired design sense. Elements include a covered outdoor lounge room, sun decks, rock gardens, shade garden, evergreen plant screens, and raised boardwalk to connect the various outdoor spaces. The finished space feels like a true backyard oasis.
Urban Cottage Backyard
Urban Cottage Backyard
Rooftopia, LLCRooftopia, LLC
The client's inspiration for the backyard was to incorporate the moroccan tile design from the mudroom into a part of the exterior, so we designed a custom screen and integrated it into the pergola. We also incorporated summer flowers in containers to add to the whimsical cottage vibe.
Meditation Garden
Meditation Garden
Derviss DesignDerviss Design
patio area
Moroccan Garden
Moroccan Garden
greencube garden and landscape designgreencube garden and landscape design
Blending subtle lighting, tropical planting palette, simple, reflective, muted materials to contrast with Moroccan tiles. Calming influences transpiring to a magical space at night where shadows and patterns cast from bouncing light.

Small Garden Ideas and Designs

A beautifully designed garden is as important as the emphasis we place on the designs of our interiors. After all, our grounds (however modest) frame our homes and contribute to first impressions not only of our houses, but also of the households within. Options for garden designs can be as elaborate or low maintenance as your lifestyle and preferences permit – consider both your aspirations for how it should look and how much time you can invest in garden maintenance. Consulting a gardener or landscape designer will ensure you have a garden that suits your lifestyle, the local climate and soil conditions. But don’t forget that with Houzz your first stop can be collecting images of garden ideas and designs you love in order to inspire your garden plans and potentially share them with a landscape gardening professional.

How do I come up with a front garden design?

The priority for a front garden is kerb appeal. Begin by considering the area immediately around and leading up to your front door. You may want to opt for front garden designs that blend well with the style of your home – for example, abundant foliage and flowerbeds will perfectly complement a period property, whereas man-made materials, geometric shapes and contrasting textures are great ideas for a contemporary garden design. Even if your front garden is a small space, keep it tidy – if you have more space, make the most of it with garden ideas and features such as a manicured lawn, gravel driveway, water feature or garden fencing. If you don’t have the time or commitment to devote to gardening, then neatly pruned hedges, statement paving, hanging baskets, garden benches and outdoor lighting are all decorative, low maintenance garden ideas for your front garden design.

How should I design my back garden?

Back gardens typically offer more space than front garden designs and serve a more recreational purpose, so it’s important to know how you want to spend time in your garden before you design it in order to build in the features that you will enjoy. If you love relaxing in the garden and dining al fresco, think about patios, decking, garden furniture and BBQs. For the more horticulturally-inclined, incorporate flower beds, greenhouses or vegetable garden designs. Your landscape gardening professional can help you install structures such as sheds, pergolas and gazebos that complement your garden design, and artfully-placed garden ideas such as lawn edging and lighting will add definition to your chosen design.

How do I create a low maintenance garden?

The great news is, gardens aren’t exclusively for the green-fingered. Whether you’re not horticulturally-inclined or simply don’t have the time for a bit of landscape gardening, you can still have a garden design that looks the way you want by making some smart design choices. While many of us favour low maintenance gardens like urban gardens, roof terraces and patio gardens, lovers of greenery don’t need to sacrifice grass for paving slabs. Whatever you want from your garden, there are a variety of gardening solutions that can be built in to make life easier. For example, labour intensive features such as vegetable patches, greenhouses and flower beds can be optimised with an automatic irrigation system. These can be offset with fuss-free garden ideas such as hard landscaping, including gravel, paving or decking, and hard-wearing evergreens that require minimal upkeep. You might even consider replacing your garden fencing with slow growing hedging, which can be maintained less regularly than wooden fence panels. If having a lawn is important, there are different types of grasses in varying degrees of durability and maintenance. You may choose to take a more relaxed approach to your lawn – “wild” garden designs can have great charm if the grasses and flowers are chosen carefully. If you prefer a manicured lawn, it’s a good idea to invest in a “mulching” lawn mower that will recycle clippings and remove the need for cleaning up. Finally, there isn’t a more low maintenance garden lawn than artificial grass which can look highly realistic and keep your garden looking green. Garden ornaments are a great way to add interest to your low maintenance garden design – go for smart garden ideas such as solar garden lights which are both decorative and functional. Find some of the most popular design ideas on Houzz.
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