This compact, urban backyard was in desperate need of privacy. We created a series of outdoor rooms, privacy screens, and lush plantings all with an Asian-inspired design sense. Elements include a covered outdoor lounge room, sun decks, rock gardens, shade garden, evergreen plant screens, and raised boardwalk to connect the various outdoor spaces. The finished space feels like a true backyard oasis.

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard formal garden in San Francisco.

The wall is constructed. Now, we just need to finish back-filling and grade the area behind the wall.
This is an example of a small modern partial sun backyard retaining wall landscape in Grand Rapids.

Raised fieldstone fire pit with bluestone caps Photo: Eustacia Marsales
Design ideas for a small farmhouse full sun backyard gravel landscaping in New York with a fire pit.

This tired, unused San Francisco backyard was transformed into a modern, low-maintenance landscape with site-appropriate plantings enhanced by raised planting beds and a lead-free artificial lawn to replace the existing water-thirsty lawn. I created two separate "rooms" to break up the long narrow yard, and specified full range blue stone for the two small patio areas, connected by a curved pattern of rectangular pavers of the same natural stone. The raised concrete rectangular planting beds were incorporated to bring more movement and interest to the landscape along with gravel bed accents alongside. Some of the existing concrete remained, and was stained with a color to compliment the natural stone. These photos were taken over a three year period. Photos: © Landscape Designer, Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

Bedford Custom Backyard Basketball and Roller Hockey Court with rebounder and lighting
Photo of a small traditional partial sun backyard concrete paver outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Boston.

Rock outcroppings make a striking background for new lounge areas in this compact Los Angeles hillside garden. Working with the attributes of the site, we added native plants to drape over the stone, and converted hollowed stone planters into a firepit and water feature. New built-in seating and a cozy hammock complete the relaxing space, and dramatic lighting makes it come alive at night. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

Ian Moore
This is an example of a small modern partial sun backyard gravel formal garden in San Francisco for summer.

Old barren space where a playground once stood is transformed into a circular patio with a fire pit in the center.
Inspiration for a small contemporary full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Kansas City with a fire pit for fall.

Photo of a small contemporary partial sun backyard stone flower bed.

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

A Fort Lauderdale homeowner wanted a putting green in his backyard, and this is the result. Photo courtesy of ProGreen Dealer - GoForeverGreen Turf & Putting Greens of Florida

A traditional annual border composed of French marigolds, blue Hawaii ageratum, white alyssum and dusty miller edges a cottage-style perennial bed. Yellow tree roses in containers and dinner-plate dahlias add summer-long color to this Cape Cod garden.

Retaining walls can serve many purposes! Personal Touch incorporated siloam steps into this homeowner's short stone retaining wall for better backyard access! Seasonal pansies and complementary evergreens add aesthetic appeal to this stone wall and step duo!

This vegetable garden of 3 cedar raised beds was part of an over all drought tolerant garden.
This is an example of a small traditional full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Los Angeles for summer.

Design ideas for a small scandinavian partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in New York.

A cozy backyard perfect for entertaining. New fencing, landscaping, a new deck, kitchen, and custom-built steel pergola create a backyard paradise ready for company.

Brooklyn Backyard Oasis. Blue stone patio, Ceder privacy fence.
This is an example of a small modern full sun backyard stone formal garden in New York for summer.

Our client has a large collection of bonsai trees and wanted an exhibition space for the extensive collection and a workshop to tend to the growing plants. Together we came up with a plan for a beautiful garden with plenty of space and a water feature. The design also included a Japanese-influenced pavilion in the middle of the garden. The pavilion is comprised of three separate rooms. The first room is features a tokonoma, a small recessed space to display art. The second, and largest room, provides an open area for display. The room can be accessed by large glass folding doors and has plenty of natural light filtering through the skylights above. The third room is a workspace with tool storage. Photography by Todd Crawford