Affordable Garden Ideas and Designs
Fi Boyle Garden DesignUpper 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 classic side garden in Dorset.
Ginkgo Leaf StudioStone steppers lead to an irregular lannon stone fire pit area in this creekside backyard in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Westhauser Photography
Photo of a small rustic back partial sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Photo of a small rustic back partial sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Richard P. Rauso, ASLA, Landscape ArchitectsRichard P. Rauso, ASLA
Photo of a medium sized traditional back full sun garden for summer in Other with a water feature and natural stone paving.
Photo of a medium sized traditional back full sun garden for summer in Other with a water feature and natural stone paving.
gardenUP®Design ideas for a medium sized classic front formal partial sun garden for spring in Boston with mulch and a flowerbed.
Christine Wilkie Garden DesignThis small, north-east facing garden, measuring around 100 m2, was in need of a complete transformation to bring it into line with the owner's interior style and the desire for an outdoor room experience. A series of bi-folding doors led out to a relatively small patio and raised lawn area. The objective was to create a design that would maximise the space, making it feel much larger and provide usable areas that the owners could enjoy throughout the day as the sun moves around the garden. An asymmetrical design with different focal points and material contrasts was deployed to achieve the impression of a larger, yet still harmonious, space.
The overall garden style was Japanese-inspired with pared back hard landscaping materials and plants with interesting foliage and texture, such as Acers, Prunus serrula cherry tree, cloud pruned Ilex crenata, clumping bamboo and Japanese grasses featuring throughout the garden's wide borders. A new lower terrace was extended across the full width of the garden to allow the space to be fully used for morning coffee and afternoon dining. Porcelain tiles with an aged wood effect were used to clad a new retaining wall and step risers, with limestone-effect porcelain tiles used for the lower terrace. New steps were designed to create an attractive transition from the lower to the upper level where the previous lawn was completely removed in favour of a second terrace using the same low-maintenance wood effect porcelain tiles.
A raised bed constructed in black timber sleepers was installed to deal with ground level changes at the upper level, while at the lower level another raised bed provides an attractive retaining edge backfilled with bamboo. New fencing was installed and painted black, a nod to the Japanese shou sugi ban method of charring wood to maintain it. Finally, a combination of carefully chosen outdoor furniture, garden statuary and bespoke planters complete the look. Discrete garden lighting set into the steps, retaining wall and house walls create a soft ambient lighting in which to sit and enjoy the garden after dark.
Harry Holding StudioAn inner city oasis with enchanting planting using a tapestry of textures, shades of green and architectural forms to evoke the tropics of Australia. Sensations of mystery inspire a reason to journey through the space to a raised deck where the family can enjoy the last of the evening sun.
Studio BalconesConcrete stepping stones act as both entry path and an extra parking space. Photography by Lars Frazer
Photo of a medium sized retro front driveway partial sun garden in Austin with a garden path and concrete paving.
Photo of a medium sized retro front driveway partial sun garden in Austin with a garden path and concrete paving.
Green Tree Garden Design LtdLooking down at the garden from the upstairs window.
Richard Brown Photography Ltd
Photo of a medium sized traditional garden in Cheshire.
Photo of a medium sized traditional garden in Cheshire.
Inspiring Landscape Solutions by Parveen DhaliwalMy garden was Sapna Bagh which translates to “garden of dreams”. It is an eclectic garden that attempts to represent the joy of coming home & immersing yourself in your carefully curated space.
Brimming in the moods, colours & textures created by your very own collection of plants, heavily influenced by your cultural origins, travels & interests.
It’s a garden style that’s bold, uniquely you, fun & exciting to experience every time you’re in the garden, every season!
The design uses plants in different ways to create a living artwork, i.e. akin to a painting or sculpture in a gallery. It evokes the senses & creates an emotional response to the curation.
There is a lot of detail & thought that goes into planning a garden and one which uses layers of hidden elements of symbolism which I’m finding underrepresented in design practice in residential spaces (given the heavy focus on practicality and aesthetics).
For example, this garden incorporates a “living” horse sculpture with several meanings. At one level, the horse represents the spirit of joy, adventure and wonderment, but it also links to a personal connection with this majestic creature as my spirit animal. It also aligns with my /(cultural) zodiac sign.
The horse, in many cultures, embodies a sense of independence &adventure, which extends to this garden via the plant selection representing the bountiful forms, textures and beauty existing in nature to explore and experience!
The colours red, yellow & blue nod to some of my cultural roots whilst adding to the cheer, elevating my thoughts and life outlook! I’m celebrating that I’m a plant collector for an excellent reason!
Laura Burt GardensA sculpture to give a focal point to this contemporary rear garden
Inspiration for a small back garden in Oxfordshire.
Inspiration for a small back garden in Oxfordshire.
Wildflower Landscape Design at K&D LandscapingInspiration for a small midcentury front xeriscape partial sun garden in San Francisco with a rockery and gravel.
Tom Howard Garden Design and LandscapingThis is an example of a small contemporary back partial sun garden in London.
Todd Haiman Landscape Design© Todd Haiman Landscape Design
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back garden in New York with concrete paving.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back garden in New York with concrete paving.
Living Colour GardensThis is an example of a small contemporary back full sun garden for summer in London with natural stone paving and a potted garden.
Daniel Contelmo ArchitectsThis property was developed in the 1950’s with a relatively bare landscape. The rear yard was nothing special, but had some privacy. The owners set out to create mini gardens around the entire house. A koi pond was added first. Over time, plants were added that began creating pockets of spaces that gave each area a room-like feel. With each hole dug, rock was removed from it to install the pond or install a plant. The rock in the ground became the same rock used around the pond and used for stone walls. There is sun, shade, privacy, and the sound of water that stimulates the senses. The latest section of the master plan was to develop a more formal area (seen from the living room) with the diagonal blue stone set into the lawn. A picket fence separates it from a vegetable garden. A new fire pit is nestled among a row of hemlocks and rimmed shrubs.
Photo by Daniel Contelmo Jr.
Garden Nest Residential LandscapePhoto By: Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back garden in San Francisco with a water feature and gravel.
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back garden in San Francisco with a water feature and gravel.
CG&S Design-BuildBuilt by Pearson Landscape | photography by Paul Finkel
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary front xeriscape full sun garden fence in Austin with concrete paving.
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary front xeriscape full sun garden fence in Austin with concrete paving.
Creative Masonry & Landscape of Cape CodInspiration for a medium sized traditional back partial sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and mulch.
Above The Grade LandscapeAbove The Grade Landscape
This is an example of a medium sized classic front formal full sun garden for summer in Other with a garden path and concrete paving.
This is an example of a medium sized classic front formal full sun garden for summer in Other with a garden path and concrete paving.
Affordable Garden Ideas and Designs
1