Back Garden Ideas and Designs

Wimbledon - Rear Garden Project
Wimbledon - Rear Garden Project
Sustainable LandscapesSustainable Landscapes
Inspiration for a traditional back full sun garden in London with a vegetable patch and a wood fence.
Small Garden in Erskine
Small Garden in Erskine
North Hill GardensNorth Hill Gardens
Transforming a small, steeply sloped back garden into a functional and inviting space came with its own set of unique challenges. Careful terracing was required to create a balanced, accessible layout, while the design needed to maximise usable space by incorporating multiple sitting areas. The result is a stunning garden oasis that feels expansive and harmonious. To achieve this, the design team employed a diagonal layout grid, where each partition sits at a different level, creating a dynamic sense of depth and openness. The largest sitting area, located at the bottom of the slope, is a porcelain-paved patio seamlessly connected to the back entrance of the house. Midway up the terrace, a cosy lounging area offers a more secluded retreat, while the top level features a practical utility drying area. These levels are connected by sculptural steps crafted from staggered hardwood and metal mesh platforms, blending functionality with artistic flair. Lush evergreen planting adds softness to the structured design, creating an almost tropical atmosphere. The planting scheme enhances the garden's year-round appeal, providing a vibrant and tranquil backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the clean lines of the hardscaping. This thoughtfully designed garden demonstrates how even challenging terrain can be transformed into a versatile and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.
Very private backyard enclave
Very private backyard enclave
Morgan Howarth PhotographyMorgan Howarth Photography
Very private backyard enclave waterfall
Contemporary back formal partial sun garden for summer in DC Metro with a waterfall and natural stone paving.
Best of Houzz 2025: The results are in!
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
Harlem Backyard with slanted pergola
Harlem Backyard with slanted pergola
Little Miracles DesignsLittle Miracles Designs
Pergola and kitchen are focal items.
Photo of a small modern back garden in New York.
Sussex garden
Sussex garden
mike harvey gardensmike harvey gardens
mike harvey
Photo of a country back formal garden in Sussex with a garden path and concrete paving.
Burns Backyard Renovation
Burns Backyard Renovation
Tellurian ConstructionTellurian Construction
Donny Mays Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary back full sun garden in Portland with natural stone paving.
Historical Garden Retreat
Historical Garden Retreat
NC DesignsNC Designs
Medium sized mediterranean back xeriscape partial sun garden for spring in San Luis Obispo with a garden path and gravel.
Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill
Metes & Bounds Landscape DesignMetes & Bounds Landscape Design
Alan Skipper
Expansive traditional back formal full sun garden for summer in DC Metro with natural stone paving and a garden path.
1300 Rodeo Rd., Arcadia, CA
1300 Rodeo Rd., Arcadia, CA
Mur-Sol Builders IncMur-Sol Builders Inc
Photo of a mediterranean back garden in Los Angeles with gravel.
Tree of Life Backyard
Tree of Life Backyard
Board & VellumBoard & Vellum
Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Medium sized eclectic back partial sun garden in Seattle with a pathway and natural stone paving.
Menlo Park
Menlo Park
Garden Nest Residential LandscapeGarden Nest Residential Landscape
Photo By: Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back garden in San Francisco with a water feature and gravel.
Sophisticated Surrounding
Sophisticated Surrounding
SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + ConstructionSURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction
The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.
Photo of a large classic back garden in DC Metro with natural stone paving and a fireplace.
Driveway, Front Yard and Backyard Landscaping
Driveway, Front Yard and Backyard Landscaping
Neave Group Outdoor SolutionsNeave Group Outdoor Solutions
Neave Group Outdoor Solutions
Design ideas for a large classic back driveway full sun garden in New York with a garden path and gravel.
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.
Stepping Stone Sideyard
Stepping Stone Sideyard
Plan-it Earth DesignPlan-it Earth Design
Stepping stones lead you to...
Design ideas for a small classic back partial sun garden for spring in Portland with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Romantic suburban garden
Romantic suburban garden
Jane Harries Garden DesignsJane Harries Garden Designs
The new lawn makes the garden seem bigger and deeper. It's a shallow garden with a point to the left, now concealed by trees and the swing seat. New planting contrasts purples, greys and greens. Jane Harries
Beach Contemporary
Beach Contemporary
Living Gardens Landscape DesignLiving Gardens Landscape Design
Succulent wall
Small contemporary back garden in Orange County with a living wall.
Burns Avenue
Burns Avenue
Stride StudiosStride Studios
William Ripley, APLD The arbor is stained a traditional color for this formal space which keeps the garden sophisticated and tailored while accentuating the other shades of green in the plants. This color looks black, but is actually considered "Charleston Green." Here's a little info I found on the color, " http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/classic-paint-colors-00417000077685/page5.html"

Back Garden Ideas and Designs

Backyard Bliss
Backyard Bliss
Shambhala LandscapesShambhala Landscapes
This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.
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United Kingdom
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