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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.
Small town garden no lawn
Small town garden no lawn
Amanda ShipmanAmanda Shipman
Amanda Shipman
This is an example of a small traditional courtyard xeriscape partial sun garden for summer in Hertfordshire with a garden path and brick paving.
Traditional Garden
Traditional Garden
Landscaping SolutionsLandscaping Solutions
Inspiration for a small classic back formal fully shaded garden in London with natural stone paving and a raised bed.
Townhouse garden
Townhouse garden
Neil Jones DesignNeil Jones Design
Using a refined palette of quality materials set within a striking and elegant design, the space provides a restful and sophisticated urban garden for a professional couple to be enjoyed both in the daytime and after dark. The use of corten is complimented by the bold treatment of black in the decking, bespoke screen and pergola.
Hampstead Small Garden
Hampstead Small Garden
Peter Reader LandscapesPeter Reader Landscapes
The view from the raised seating area across the garden.
Small contemporary back formal garden in London with concrete paving.
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.
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.
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.
Contemporary Balham Garden
Contemporary Balham Garden
Aoba LandscapesAoba Landscapes
Contemporary Balham Garden
Photo of a small contemporary back partial sun garden for summer in London.
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.
College Crescent
College Crescent
John Davies LandscapeJohn Davies Landscape
Inspiration for a small world-inspired garden in London.
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.
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
This is an example of a small classic courtyard partial sun garden for spring in London with an outdoor sport court and brick paving.
Butterfly Garden
Butterfly Garden
FormLA LandscapingFormLA Landscaping
Hot Lips Saliva, along with Hummingbird Sage and Common Yarrow, attract butterflies to the planted spaces at the entrance and alongside the dining patio. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography
Allergic to Bees Horizontal Fencing
Allergic to Bees Horizontal Fencing
Winston Fayer Landscape DesignWinston Fayer Landscape Design
The backyard is small and uninviting until we transformed it into a comfortable and functional area for entertaining
This is an example of a small contemporary back private full sun garden in New York.
LOW WATER LANDSCAPE GARDENS
LOW WATER LANDSCAPE GARDENS
Marc Mason Landscape ServicesMarc Mason Landscape Services
Marc Mason Landscape Services
Photo of a small traditional front xeriscape full sun garden for summer in Orange County.
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
Modern Landscape
Modern Landscape
Small modern front full sun garden for autumn in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete paving.
Ridgetop Modern Makeover
Ridgetop Modern Makeover
Native Edge LandscapeNative Edge Landscape
Native Edge Landscape, LLC
Photo of a small modern back garden for summer in Austin with a living wall.
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.

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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