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Affordable 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.
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
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.
Small Frontyard
Small Frontyard
Arbordale LandscapingArbordale Landscaping
Cedar gate with arbour entrance to the backyard. Flagstone landing with cobblestone border.
Design ideas for a small traditional back partial sun garden for summer in Toronto with a garden path and natural stone paving.
A garden bursting with life
A garden bursting with life
Georgia Lindsay Garden DesignGeorgia Lindsay Garden Design
A city garden full of life.
Small modern back garden in London.
La Sombra - Steel Vine Screen
La Sombra - Steel Vine Screen
Hush HouseHush House
Detail of the steel vine screen, with dappled sunlight falling into the new entryway deck. The steel frame surrounds the juliet balcony lookout.
Design ideas for a small modern front formal and private partial sun garden for winter in Austin with decking and a metal fence.
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.
Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI
Rustic Creekside Backyard - Cedarburg, WI
Ginkgo Leaf StudioGinkgo Leaf Studio
Stone 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.
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
Modern Front Landscaping Project, Elmhurst, IL.
Modern Front Landscaping Project, Elmhurst, IL.
Ross and Jack's Landscaping Inc.Ross and Jack's Landscaping Inc.
Photo of a small modern front formal full sun garden for summer in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Casa Sonoma
Casa Sonoma
Reyes Landscape ConstructionReyes Landscape Construction
Small modern back formal full sun garden for spring in San Francisco with gravel.
Rosedale Modern Courtyard
Rosedale Modern Courtyard
Native Edge LandscapeNative Edge Landscape
This duplex has a very modern aesthetic with focuses on clean lines and metal accents. However, the front courtyard was undeveloped and uninviting. We worked with the client to tie the courtyard and the property together by adding clean, monochromatic details with a heavy focus on texture. The main goal of this project was to add a low-maintenance outdoor living space that was an extension of the home. The small space and harsh sun exposure limited the plant pallet, but we were able to use lush plant material to maximize the space. A monochromatic pallet makes for a perfect backdrop for focal points and key pieces. The circular fire-pit was used to break up the 90 degree angles of the space, and also played off the round pottery.
Brixton Garden
Brixton Garden
The London Gardener LtdThe London Gardener Ltd
Small garden in Brixton designed for young children and sophisticated enough to link in style with the new kitchen extension/remodelled house. Artificial grass was combined with scented Lavender and Trachleospermum with year round structure from standard Olea (Olive) trees and Magnolia Grandiflora. Cedar slats were used for the fencing to give a clean and modern line. A lovely low maintenance garden!
Concrete water fountain
Concrete water fountain
Studio H Landscape ArchitectureStudio H Landscape Architecture
Sideyard modern water feature. The fountain is located off the living room window to enjoy from both the living area and kitchen. Concrete stepping pads extend over the fountain and into the artificial turf area in the rear yard. Succulents and grasses are planted throughout the yard.
Mid-Century Modern Backyard
Mid-Century Modern Backyard
UserUser
This is a small in-town backyard designed to have a mid-century modern look. The stepping stones are poured concrete. The turf is artificial, as is the the green vine material in the fence panels. The slit in the white stucco wall is a spillway for a waterfall, which empties into the pond below and then recirculates. An elevated concrete patio is behind the waterfall. The original design was by Eric King but this design was modified and built by Botanica Atlanta.
Wildlife Friendly Front Garden
Wildlife Friendly Front Garden
Fenton Roberts Garden DesignFenton Roberts Garden Design
Jo Fenton
Design ideas for a small classic front driveway full sun garden for summer in London with a garden path and 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.
Potrero Hill Lookout
Potrero Hill Lookout
Seed Studio Landscape DesignSeed Studio Landscape Design
photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio
Inspiration for a small modern back xeriscape full sun garden in San Francisco with gravel and a fire feature.
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
Casa Smith Designs, LLCCasa Smith Designs, LLC
This veggie bed is accessible from every angle and easy on the back - everything grows right in front of you...no bending over required. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton
Coastal Entry Garden
Coastal Entry Garden
Sacred Garden NY LLCSacred Garden NY LLC
Coastal Entry Garden
This is an example of a small coastal front xeriscape full sun garden in New York with a pathway and decorative stones.

Affordable 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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