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World-Inspired Garden Ideas and Designs

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Hyde Vale
Hyde Vale
John Davies LandscapeJohn Davies Landscape
John Davies
Photo of a world-inspired back garden in London.
Tropical Design
Tropical Design
Knoll Landscape Design MiamiKnoll Landscape Design Miami
knoll landscape design miami designer brent knoll hummingbird nectaring on red flower
Photo of a world-inspired garden in Miami.
Japanese Garden in West Acton
Japanese Garden in West Acton
Aoba LandscapesAoba Landscapes
This is an example of a world-inspired garden in London.
Find the right local pro for your project
Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz
Mid Century Hillside Residence
Mid Century Hillside Residence
Sanctuary Landscape ArchitectureSanctuary Landscape Architecture
Jack Coyier
Design ideas for a world-inspired garden in Los Angeles.
Japanese Tea House
Japanese Tea House
Miriam's River House Designs, LLCMiriam's River House Designs, LLC
Photo shows Japanese Tea House west side. The gravel path contains a Japanese dry river bed and an Inukshuk sculpture, metaphysically designed. The surrounding garden is the inner Roji garden and contains a Roji stepping stone path designed with a metaphysical pattern. pattern. Photo credits:Dan Drobnick
Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs
Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs
Whipple Russell ArchitectsWhipple Russell Architects
Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs. Photo by William MacCollum.
Small world-inspired courtyard partial sun garden in Los Angeles with gravel and a stone fence.
Colorful and Contemplative
Colorful and Contemplative
Sweet Smiling LandscapesSweet Smiling Landscapes
When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.
Drought Tolerant Tropical and Lush
Drought Tolerant Tropical and Lush
attrinitiattriniti
Design ideas for a world-inspired garden in Los Angeles.
Japanese Courtyard Garden
Japanese Courtyard Garden
Hanselman Landscape and GardensHanselman Landscape and Gardens
Photo of a small world-inspired garden in Philadelphia with a garden path and decorative stones.
Kikue's Tea House
Kikue's Tea House
Forever RedwoodForever Redwood
Yes! A real traditional kikue's Tea House! The gorgeous, supremely flexible design takes you from complete privacy to a sun-filled open pavilion in seconds.
Hawaii Pavillion House
Hawaii Pavillion House
VITA Planning and Landscape ArchitectureVITA Planning and Landscape Architecture
Inspiration for a world-inspired fully shaded garden in San Francisco.
Urban tropical
Urban tropical
antonia schofield garden designantonia schofield garden design
inside outside antonia schofield
Design ideas for a world-inspired garden in London.
Asian Terrace Garden in Bristol, Virginia
Asian Terrace Garden in Bristol, Virginia
Stapleton Landscape ArchitectureStapleton Landscape Architecture
This garden space along the existing drive provided an opportunity for multi-season appeal and continuation of the Asian theme via iconic garden elements like boulders and stone lanterns - Jeff Stapleton
Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden
Maïtanne Hunt Garden & Landscape DesignMaïtanne Hunt Garden & Landscape Design
World-inspired garden in London.
Jones Residence
Jones Residence
Craig Reynolds Landscape ArchitectureCraig Reynolds Landscape Architecture
Barry FitzGerald
Photo of a large world-inspired garden in Miami with a water feature.
Past projects
Past projects
Outdoor Creations Landscape & Design Inc.Outdoor Creations Landscape & Design Inc.
Raymond Bray
Design ideas for a large world-inspired sloped xeriscape full sun garden for summer in Other.
Water feature in a small space
Water feature in a small space
Horn & Co. (Previously JHLA)Horn & Co. (Previously JHLA)
Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.
Steamboat Storm Meadow Drive Mountain/Asian Fusion
Steamboat Storm Meadow Drive Mountain/Asian Fusion
Trilogy PartnersTrilogy Partners
Japanese Garden with Hot Springs outdoor soaking tub. Landscape Design by Chad Guinn. Photo Roger Wade Photography The Rocky Regions best and boldest example of Western - Mountain - Asian fusion. Featured in Architectural Digest May 2010
Boca Raton, FL Residential Landscape 1
Boca Raton, FL Residential Landscape 1
Botanical VisionsBotanical Visions
Design ideas for a medium sized world-inspired back full sun garden for summer in Miami with natural stone paving.

World-Inspired Garden Ideas and Designs

A beautifully designed world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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 world-inspired front garden design.

How should I design my world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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.
Kiehl - Harbor Oaks
Kiehl - Harbor Oaks
Dane Spencer Landscape ArchitectureDane Spencer Landscape Architecture
Giovani Lunardi
This is an example of a world-inspired side garden in Portland with brick paving and a garden path.
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