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Small Garden Ideas and Designs

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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.
Small town garden no lawn
Small town garden no lawn
Amanda ShipmanAmanda Shipman
Amanda Shipman
Small country back full sun garden for summer in Hertfordshire with a garden path and brick paving.
Secret Sanctuary Garden
Secret Sanctuary Garden
Ketti Kupper Conscious Life DesignKetti Kupper Conscious Life Design
Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Photo of a small back garden in Los Angeles.
Curb Appeal
Curb Appeal
Crescent Hill Home Staging & Design LLCCrescent Hill Home Staging & Design LLC
Inspiration for a small classic side formal full sun garden in Other with a garden path.
St.Margarets Garden
St.Margarets Garden
Tom Howard Garden Design and LandscapingTom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping
Small contemporary back partial sun garden in London.
Modern Rustic Landscaping
Modern Rustic Landscaping
UserUser
Modern walkway design with concrete pavers and La Paz pebbles
Photo of a small modern back xeriscape partial sun garden in San Francisco.
Extension, loft conversion & renovation - Russell Road
Extension, loft conversion & renovation - Russell Road
MAC Building Solutions LtdMAC Building Solutions Ltd
Nathalie Priem
This is an example of a small contemporary back garden in London with a potted garden and concrete paving.
Princeton Contemporary
Princeton Contemporary
Ronni Hock Garden & LandscapeRonni Hock Garden & Landscape
Photo of a small contemporary back full sun garden for spring in Philadelphia with a garden path and gravel.
Japanese Courtyard Garden
Japanese Courtyard Garden
Hanselman Landscape and GardensHanselman Landscape and Gardens
Small world-inspired garden in Philadelphia with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Modern Yard
Modern Yard
Wagner Design GroupWagner Design Group
This yard was an unusable muddy lawn flanked by tall Arborvitae. We removed the hedge and replaced it will a beautiful Ipe screen that serves as the backdrop to a concrete water feature that spills into a channel that runs the length of the patio. Corten steel planters contain Equisetum plantings, as well as Bamboo that screens a trampoline for the childrens fun. Pavers and black mexican pebbles make up the new hardscape for the patio.
Small, low maintenance garden
Small, low maintenance garden
Yorkshire GardensYorkshire Gardens
In this project we aimed to create a stylish garden which was both family friendly and low maintenance. Eco decking was used to create a large contemporary decking area. This composite product is slip resistant and is created using 95% recycled materials so is very eco friendly . This product is extremely low maintenance and long lasting. Rendered flower beds were built and complement the sleek and simple lines of the garden. A simplistic planting scheme has been utilised to add colour. A high quality artificial lawn was laid. This product is a great alternative for those looking for a lawn which will look lush all year round and will with stand children and animals playing on it. The slatted fence runs around the perimeter and adds warmth and texture to the space. Overall this garden is simple yet very slick.
Garden Design in Clapham, London 3
Garden Design in Clapham, London 3
Kate Eyre Garden DesignKate Eyre Garden Design
Kate Eyre Garden Design
Photo of a small contemporary back garden in London with natural stone paving.
Manhattan Beach Residence
Manhattan Beach Residence
SUBU Design ArchitectureSUBU Design Architecture
Manolo Langis Photographer
Photo of a small beach style courtyard full sun garden in Los Angeles with a living wall and natural stone paving.
Chelsea Garden
Chelsea Garden
Honor Holmes Garden DesignHonor Holmes Garden Design
Inspiration for a small classic back formal full sun garden wall in London with decking.
Small Backyard Landscape Design
Small Backyard Landscape Design
Arizona Living Landscape and DesignArizona Living Landscape and Design
Az Living Landscape
Design ideas for a small classic back xeriscape partial sun garden in Phoenix with brick paving.
West London Courtyard
West London Courtyard
Karen Rogers at KR Garden DesignKaren Rogers at KR Garden Design
Walpole Garden, Chiswick Photography by Caroline Mardon - www.carolinemardon.com
Design ideas for a small traditional courtyard partial sun garden for spring in London with an outdoor sport court and brick paving.
Landscaping
Landscaping
Good Earth Water GardensGood Earth Water Gardens
Perennial hillside.
This is an example of a small eclectic front xeriscape full sun garden for spring in Kansas City with mulch and a potted garden.
Water Features
Water Features
Yard Art, IncYard Art, Inc
The Andalusia Wall Fountain is a great way to add a beautiful water feature to a small space.
Small traditional courtyard partial sun garden for autumn in San Francisco with a water feature and gravel.
Small Shady Back Yard
Small Shady Back Yard
Magic Landscaping, Inc.Magic Landscaping, Inc.
Natural pathway stones wind through the garden. Boulders protrude to add interest and seating, pea gravel creates open space and take the place of lawn. Magic Landscaping, Inc- New Jersey Landscape Designer & Contractor.
Traditional Landscape
Traditional Landscape
Photo of a small classic side fully shaded garden in St Louis with a retaining wall.

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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