Courtyard Landscaping Ideas

Neil Michael - Axiom Photography
Inspiration for a small modern shade courtyard landscaping in Sacramento.
Nice transition from deck to patio - audreyration

Design ideas for a transitional courtyard landscaping in Oklahoma City.
I like the idea of stacked planter beds to add height & texture - acg078xx

The garden that we created unifies the property by knitting together five different garden areas into an elegant landscape surrounding the house. Different garden rooms, each with their own character and “mood”, offer places to sit or wander through to enjoy the property. The result is that in a small space you have several different garden experiences all while understanding the context of the larger garden plan.
Maceta tipo la que vimos en el San Ángel Inn - pedro_valenzuelaparcero

The wood pathway to the glass front door is illuminated with low level recessed step lights mounted into the rock walls. The interior of the house beyond is lit with pendants and recessed lights. A large oak tree is the star of this garden scene. Architect: Feldman Architecture Landscape Architect: Bernard Trainor Associates Photography: Joe Fletcher
A bit too contemporary to fit with the style of the house, but the open space non-grass under an oak tree appears useable and flexible. - andrea_coens

William MacCollum, Art Gray Photography.
This is an example of an asian courtyard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.
maybe use a bonsai in courtyard - lmapplebee

A 1940's bungalow was renovated and transformed for a small family. This is a small space - 800 sqft (2 bed, 2 bath) full of charm and character. Custom and vintage furnishings, art, and accessories give the space character and a layered and lived-in vibe. This is a small space so there are several clever storage solutions throughout. Vinyl wood flooring layered with wool and natural fiber rugs. Wall sconces and industrial pendants add to the farmhouse aesthetic. A simple and modern space for a fairly minimalist family. Located in Costa Mesa, California. Photos: Ryan Garvin
For backyard right hand corner where the pit will be - mc_hayes

Featured in Feb/Mar 2013 issue of Organic Gardening Magazine, this Boston-area courtyard functions as an entryway, parking space, driveway turnaround, and outdoor room. New York bluestone planks set into a sea of pea gravel can bear the weight of vehicles while allowing rainwater to permeate the ground, preventing run-off. Curving 7-foot-high green walls of shade-loving native plants create privacy and beauty, while native birch trees (Betula papyrifera) in the entry planters provide a handsome complement to the four-story Silver LEED-certified house by Wolf Architects, Inc. Landscape Architect: Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio Landscape contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Green wall: g_space Photographed by Susan Teare for Organic Gardening Magazine.
Pea gravel. Perhaps the most popular gravel type, pea gravel is useful for pathways, patios and as a ground cover. The stones are rounded and roughly pea-sized, from one-eighth to three-eighths inch across, and come in dark gray, medium gray, sand and caramel brown. Pea gravel is known for that delicious crunch sound underfoot, but the rounded pebbles do tend to roll as you walk, making it a poor choice for areas with wheel traffic. Cost: Pea gravel is sold by the bag for about $3 or by the cub - margielynnj

Tyler W Chartier
Design ideas for a contemporary full sun courtyard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco.
Love the openness of this patio and the wood work. - leonard_davis27

A couple by the name of Claire and Dan Boyles commissioned Exterior Worlds to develop their back yard along the lines of a French Country garden design. They had recently designed and built a French Colonial style house. Claire had been very involved in the architectural design, and she communicated extensively her expectations for the landscape. The aesthetic we ultimately created for them was not a traditional French country garden per se, but instead was a variation on the symmetry, color, and sense of formality associated with this design. The most notable feature that we added to the estate was a custom swimming pool installed just to the rear of the home. It emphasized linearity, complimentary right angles, and it featured a luxury spa and pool fountain. We built the coping around the pool out of limestone, and we used concrete pavers to build the custom pool patio. We then added French pottery in various locations around the patio to balance the stonework against the look and structure of the home. We added a formal garden parallel to the pool to reflect its linear movement. Like most French country gardens, this design is bordered by sheered bushes and emphasizes straight lines, angles, and symmetry. One very interesting thing about this garden is that it is consist entirely of various shades of green, which lends itself well to the sense of a French estate. The garden is bordered by a taupe colored cedar fence that compliments the color of the stonework. Just around the corner from the back entrance to the house, there lies a double-door entrance to the master bedroom. This was an ideal place to build a small patio for the Boyles to use as a private seating area in the early mornings and evenings. We deviated slightly from strict linearity and symmetry by adding pavers that ran out like steps from the patio into the grass. We then planted boxwood hedges around the patio, which are common in French country garden design and combine an Old World sensibility with a morning garden setting. We then completed this portion of the project by adding rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that frames the yard. This design is derivative of those found in morning gardens, and it provides the Boyles with a place where they can step directly from their bedroom into a private outdoor space and enjoy the early mornings and evenings. We further develop the sense of a morning garden seating area; we deviated slightly from the strict linear forms of the rest of the landscape by adding pavers that ran like steps from the patio and out into the grass. We also planted rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that borders this portion of the yard. We then landscaped the front of the home with a continuing symmetry reminiscent of French country garden design. We wanted to establish a sense of grand entrance to the home, so we built a stone walkway that ran all the way from the sidewalk and then fanned out parallel to the covered porch that centers on the front door and large front windows of the house. To further develop the sense of a French country estate, we planted a small parterre garden that can be seen and enjoyed from the left side of the porch. On the other side of house, we built the Boyles a circular motorcourt around a large oak tree surrounded by lush San Augustine grass. We had to employ special tree preservation techniques to build above the root zone of the tree. The motorcourt was then treated with a concrete-acid finish that compliments the brick in the home. For the parking area, we used limestone gravel chips. French country garden design is traditionally viewed as a very formal style intended to fill a significant portion of a yard or landscape. The genius of the Boyles project lay not in strict adherence to tradition, but rather in adapting its basic principles to the architecture of the home and the geometry of the surrounding landscape. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.
like the sitting area outside the bedroom - dhankar85

In south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Installed June, 2014. Photography: Mark S. Garff ASLA, LLA
1 Half inch Richard with aligned Gladstone pavers in sunken fire Pit With staircase . - richard_jiminezjr8

Inspiration for a small contemporary full sun courtyard gravel water fountain landscape in Los Angeles for summer.
I like the cactus in the white rocks - cortniewalker

Photo of a farmhouse courtyard water fountain landscape in San Francisco.
Open room for entrance with sliding doors - drwoodward

Photo of a traditional courtyard formal garden in New Orleans.
do we want additional parking along the street? - psuggs

Photo of a mid-sized asian partial sun courtyard gravel water fountain landscape in San Francisco.
love the lattice fence and color; raised planter box - candicerenae__cr

Inspiration for a large farmhouse full sun courtyard brick landscaping in New York.
Idea for middle space of Ryan and Katie’s - mkinsel

Leo McKillop Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional full sun courtyard gravel landscaping in Boston.
This could work with fire pit instead of coy pond and more stone work. Fire pit with waterfall feature would be great! - stephanie_taglianetti

Jack Coyier
Photo of a contemporary courtyard water fountain landscape in Los Angeles.
Love this type of water feature, simple and interactive for kids - jbulman81

Exterior Landscape + Gabion Wall Photo by BUILD LLC
Inspiration for a contemporary courtyard landscaping in Seattle.
wonder about this as an option for retaining wall method - sharon13clark