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Small Garden Ideas and Designs

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Dorset Courtyard Garden
Dorset Courtyard Garden
Fi Boyle Garden DesignFi Boyle Garden Design
Upper rear terrace is framed by a low stone wall. Borders set into the paving soften the hard landscaping.
Small classic side garden in Dorset.
Ladera Ranch Modern Farmhouse
Ladera Ranch Modern Farmhouse
Living Gardens Landscape DesignLiving Gardens Landscape Design
Our homeowners were looking for a garden where they could sit by the fire, grow vegetable and hear the sound of water. Their home was new construction in a modern farmhouse style. We used gravel and concrete as paving. Board formed concrete firepit keeps it feeling modern. The vegetable beds supply season vegetables and herbs.
Alternating Textures on Fence Panels
Alternating Textures on Fence Panels
UserUser
This is part of a mid-century modern design in Atlanta. The turf is artificial, as is the green vine material in the fence panels. Designed and built by Botanica Atlanta.
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
Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens
Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens
UserUser
Newly built vegetable garden. Beds are 4 inch cedar, pathways are river stone, contained on the perimeter by steel edging. Critterfence deters rabbits without obscuring the architecture of the garden. In the rear, support posts contain raspberries.
Custom Greenhouses
Custom Greenhouses
BC Greenhouse Builders LtdBC Greenhouse Builders Ltd
Our Cottage 8x10 double glass greenhouse offers unbeatable insulation for colder climates. With additional ventilation and decorative options, this is the jewel in your yard.
Contemporary Landscape
Contemporary Landscape
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard full sun garden for summer in Los Angeles with gravel and a desert look.
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
Inspiration for a small contemporary back partial sun garden in Other with a flowerbed and natural stone paving.
Sophisticated Mid-City Residence
Sophisticated Mid-City Residence
Urban Oasis Landscape DesignUrban Oasis Landscape Design
The low wall was set 3 ft back from the sidewalk with plants placed in front. The stairs create a niche for the front gate where we placed urns with dwarf Kumquat trees planted in them. An electric gate for their cars creates some security.
Modern San Francisco Living
Modern San Francisco Living
Boxleaf Design, Inc.Boxleaf Design, Inc.
Small residential garden to suite a modern house and active children. -kwmla-
Design ideas for a small contemporary back garden in San Francisco.
Seattle Cozy Patio
Seattle Cozy Patio
SCJ Studio Landscape ArchitectureSCJ 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
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
Casa Smith Designs, LLCCasa Smith Designs, LLC
The star at the center of this veggie garden is the perfect place for the dwarf lemon tree. The six pointed star (just like the Great Seal of the United States) is ideal for the strawberries to cascade over the edges. The star is 6' with 3' clearance around the star so the space is wide enough to comfortably access the veggie beds from all sides. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton
Seating with Fire Pit
Seating with Fire Pit
Studio H Landscape ArchitectureStudio H Landscape Architecture
Studio H Landscape Architecture
Photo of a small modern back xeriscape partial sun garden in Orange County with concrete paving.
Lincoln Park Herb Wall
Lincoln Park Herb Wall
Brent Riechers Landscape (BRL LANDesign)Brent Riechers Landscape (BRL LANDesign)
Brent A. Riechers
Inspiration for a small contemporary roof full sun garden in Chicago with a vegetable patch.
Small Frontyard
Small Frontyard
Arbordale LandscapingArbordale Landscaping
Cedar gate with arbour entrance to the backyard. Flagstone landing with cobblestone border.
Design ideas for a small traditional back partial sun garden for summer in Toronto with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Felton pocket garden
Felton pocket garden
Jan Nelson Landscape DesignJan Nelson Landscape Design
Closeup of Autumn Flame flagstone path with small cobbles between. Photo by Jan Nelson
Photo of a small rustic front full sun garden in San Francisco with a garden path and natural stone paving.
London town garden
London town garden
Arthur Road LandscapesArthur Road Landscapes
Jane Shankster/Arthur Road Landscapes
Photo of a small contemporary back partial sun garden in London with brick paving.
Meditation Garden
Meditation Garden
Ross Land StudioRoss Land Studio
An unused area of lawn has been repurposed as a meditation garden. The meandering path of limestone step stones weaves through a birch grove. The matrix planting of carex grasses is interspersed with flowering natives throughout the season. Fall is spectacular with the blooming of aromatic asters.
Alderley Courtyard
Alderley Courtyard
Define Landscape ArchitectureDefine Landscape Architecture
Sunken courtyard
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard partial sun garden steps for summer in Brisbane with natural stone paving.
Fallen Leaves
Fallen Leaves
Arbordale LandscapingArbordale Landscaping
Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

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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