skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Garden
  3. Size: Compact

Small Garden Ideas and Designs

All Filters (1)
Refine by:
1 - 20 of 33,140 photos
Size: CompactNatural Stone PavingBack GardenModernContemporarySummerTraditionalFront GardenPondCountryMedium
Item 1 of 12
Battersea Family Home
Battersea Family Home
Imperfect InteriorsImperfect Interiors
This lovely Victorian house in Battersea was tired and dated before we opened it up and reconfigured the layout. We added a full width extension with Crittal doors to create an open plan kitchen/diner/play area for the family, and added a handsome deVOL shaker kitchen.
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.
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.
Modern Landscape
Modern Landscape
Small modern front full sun garden for autumn in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete paving.
Beach Contemporary
Beach Contemporary
Living Gardens Landscape DesignLiving Gardens Landscape Design
Succulent wall
Small contemporary back garden in Orange County with a living wall.
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
Niche
Niche
Seed Studio Landscape DesignSeed Studio Landscape Design
image: Travis Rhoads Photography
Small contemporary side formal fully shaded garden in San Francisco with natural stone paving.
College Crescent
College Crescent
John Davies LandscapeJohn Davies Landscape
Inspiration for a small world-inspired garden in London.
Washington Str Remodel
Washington Str Remodel
vaso peritos interior designvaso peritos interior design
Small contemporary back formal garden in San Francisco with a potted garden.
A winter retreat in Jupiter
A winter retreat in Jupiter
Studio SproutStudio Sprout
Gabriela Fojt
Inspiration for a small world-inspired side fully shaded garden in Miami with natural stone 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.
Spray Irrrigation with Grasses and Boulders
Spray Irrrigation with Grasses and Boulders
Regenesis Ecological DesignRegenesis Ecological Design
A lawn replacement project that incorporates bunch grasses, native boulders and high-efficiency irrigation.
This is an example of a small modern side full sun garden in Other with gravel.
Lawn Area
Lawn Area
Terra Ferma LandscapesTerra Ferma Landscapes
The upper lawn for the kids to play with a vegetable garden on the side
This is an example of a small contemporary back partial sun garden wall for summer in San Francisco with a vegetable patch, natural stone paving and a wood fence.
karrinyup courtyards
karrinyup courtyards
Cultivart Landscape DesignCultivart Landscape Design
subtropical contemporary courtyards Perth Australian photos Peta North
Photo of a small contemporary courtyard partial sun garden in Perth with a water feature and decking.
A Classic Country White Garden
A Classic Country White Garden
Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.
All planting design by Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.
This is an example of a small back formal pergola in New York with natural stone paving.
Noe Valley
Noe Valley
Randy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape ArchitectureRandy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape Architecture
This is an example of a small contemporary sloped garden steps in San Francisco with natural stone paving.
Bighorn Palm Desert modern architectural home front door landscaping
Bighorn Palm Desert modern architectural home front door landscaping
Whipple Russell ArchitectsWhipple Russell Architects
Bighorn Palm Desert modern architectural home front door landscaping
Small modern front xeriscape full sun garden in Los Angeles with a desert look, gravel and a wood fence.
Small Fairy Fountain Basin
Small Fairy Fountain Basin
Magic Garden DreamsMagic Garden Dreams
One of the small fountainscapes we offer.
Photo of a small world-inspired back full sun garden in San Diego with a water feature and brick paving.
Horizontal Cedar Fence
Horizontal Cedar Fence
The Narrow LaneThe Narrow Lane
Small contemporary back private garden in Boston.
Small Oasis
Small Oasis
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
The owners of this charming Spanish-style home wanted an oasis in their small backyard. In just 1,400 square feet, not only did we give them a pool and spa, but also an inviting area for lounging and eating, created from repurposed vintage brick. Their love of Mexican design is seen in a new Talavera-tiled outdoor shower area. Softly billowing California native plants mingle with a growing collection of cacti and succulents.

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.
1
123456789Next Page
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.