Style Guide: 65 Garden & Landscape Design Ideas
Today we’re exploring some of the most iconic garden and landscape design styles from around the world, from serene Japanese Zen gardens to the lush romance of English Cottage. Each style offers its own unique way of connecting with nature—some minimalist and meditative, others colorful and overflowing with life.
We’ll also dive into the essential design elements that bring these gardens to life: winding pathways, water features, cozy outdoor living areas, and more. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small patio, you’ll find inspiration and ideas to help you shape an outdoor space that reflects your personal style and brings you joy year-round.
Images Digitally Created via The Styled Abode
Garden and landscape design is about more than just choosing plants—it’s the art of shaping outdoor space with purpose, balance, and beauty. A well-designed landscape considers how you move through the space, how it feels throughout the seasons, and how each element—plants, paths, structures, and textures—works together to create a cohesive experience.
Whether you’re designing for relaxation, entertainment, or simply to enjoy nature’s beauty, thoughtful design brings structure to chaos and turns any outdoor area into a place that feels both intentional and inviting.
This post is all about Garden & Landscape Design Ideas
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Garden & Landscape Design Styles
No 3 | Traditional
Traditional gardens are rooted in symmetry, order, and a sense of timelessness. Inspired by classical European design, these spaces often include perfectly trimmed hedges, geometric layouts, and elegant focal points like fountains, urns, or statues.
No 4 | Traditonal Landscape Design: Pergola & White Roses
Key Elements of Traditonal Garden & Landscape Design
- Symmetry, formal hedges, gravel or stone paths, topiary, fountains, and geometric planting beds.
- Order, balance, and structure with a timeless, elegant aesthetic.
- Boxwood hedges, classical statuary, clipped shrubs, manicured lawns, and central focal points like urns or water features.
- Roses, peonies, tulips, and delphiniums. Arranged in symmetrical beds or parterres.
No 5 | Modern
Clean lines, neutral colors, and sculptural plants define modern gardens. These spaces often feature geometric layouts, concrete, and metal details. Minimalist gardens focus on form and balance, creating elegant, low-maintenance outdoor areas that feel like extensions of the home.
No 6 | Boulders, Perennials & Ornamental Grass
Key Elements of Modern Garden & Landscape Design
- Clean lines, architectural plants (like ornamental grasses or clipped shrubs).
- Use of concrete, metal, and glass.
- Often structured with symmetry or grid layout.
No 7 | Modern Farmhouse
Modern farmhouse gardens strike a balance between structure and softness. They often feature clean lines and neutral tones paired with relaxed plantings like lavender, hydrangeas, and native grasses. Materials such as weathered wood, matte black metal, and gravel give the space a grounded, functional feel.
No 8 | Modern Farmhouse Landscape Design: Metal Planters & Greenery
Key Elements of Modern Farmhouse Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Raised garden beds, gravel or stone pathways, matte black fixtures, galvanized metal planters, and wooden fences.
- Focus on: Clean lines, functional outdoor spaces, and a blend of rustic and contemporary elements.
- Plantings: Hydrangeas, lavender, ornamental grasses, and edible gardens with herbs and vegetables
No 9 | English Cottage
Lush, romantic, and bursting with life, English gardens are a celebration of nature’s beauty. You’ll find winding paths, overflowing borders, and climbing roses on old brick walls. Whether formal or in the cottage style, these gardens invite you to wander and relax among blooms and buzzing bees.
No 10 | English Cottage Landscape Design: Gorgeous Florals & Seating
Key Elements of English Cottage Garden & Landscape Design
- Flowering borders, winding paths, classic statuary.
- Includes both formal and cottage styles.
- Formal: symmetry, hedges, clipped boxwood.
- Cottage: informal, colorful mix, climbing roses
No 11 | Shabby Chic
Shabby chic gardens are where vintage soul meets soft, lived-in beauty. This is a garden where blooms tumble over old furniture, where rusted metal and flaking paint are part of the aesthetic, not something to fix.
This style leans into imperfection, layering old furniture, pastel blooms, and delicate details in a way that feels romantic and effortlessly personal.It’s less about manicured perfection and more about creating a space that feels storied and soulful—like a garden gently reclaiming forgotten treasures.
No 12 | Shabby Chic Landscape Design: Florals & Distressed Textures
Key Elements of Shabby Chic Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Vintage furniture, distressed planters, pastel accents, lace or fabric details, and upcycled garden décor.
- Focus on: Romantic, lived-in aesthetic with a mix of old and new.
- Abundant blooms—roses, peonies, daisies, sweet peas—overflowing borders and mismatched containers.
No 13 | European
European gardens carry centuries of tradition, each one a reflection of the region it hails from—structured, romantic, and always intentional. Picture the clipped symmetry of a French parterre or the vine-covered pergolas of an Italian courtyard.
No 14 | European Landscape Design: Stone Paths & Abundant Florals
These spaces are less about following rules and more about creating atmosphere. Whether you lean toward the formality of Versailles or the rustic ease of Tuscany, this style invites you to slow down, sip something cold, and enjoy the garden as a living extension of home and history.
Key Elements of European Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Symmetrical layouts, stone paths, pergolas, fountains, classical statues, and terracotta containers.
- Focus on: Formal structure (French) and relaxed, sun-soaked elegance (Italian).
- Lavender, cypress trees, climbing roses, olive trees, and herb gardens like rosemary and thyme.
No 15 | Mediterranean
Inspired by the coasts of Southern Europe, Mediterranean gardens combine hardy herbs, citrus trees, and gravel paths with rustic charm. Expect terracotta pots, climbing vines, and sunny courtyards filled with the scent of lavender and rosemary. Ideal for warm, dry regions.
No 16 | Mediterranean Landscape Design: Herbs & Pea Gravel Paths
Key Elements of Mediterranean Garden & Landscape Design
- Terracotta pots, lavender, rosemary, olive and citrus trees.
- Gravel paths, low walls, rustic pergolas.
- Often features tilework and wrought iron.
No 17 | Japanese
Japanese gardens are all about harmony, tranquility, and symbolism. Carefully placed stones, raked sand, and flowing water represent natural elements in miniature. Plants are chosen for subtle beauty—think moss, bamboo, and Japanese maple. These gardens offer a serene escape from the noise of everyday life.
No 18 | Japanese Landscape Design: Raked Sand Gardens
No 19 | Blending Indoor with the Oudoors
No 20 | Courtyard Garden
Key Elements of Japanese Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: koi ponds, stone lanterns, bridges, Zen sand gardens.
- Focus on asymmetry, minimalism, and symbolism.
- Natural materials and subtle plantings (maple, bamboo, moss).
No 21 | Meadow & Prairie
Prairie and meadow gardens embrace a wild, naturalistic look filled with swaying grasses and native perennials. These landscapes are designed to mimic open fields and grasslands, often featuring plants like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, and ornamental grasses.
No 22 | Meadow Landscape Design: Wildflowers in Complimentary Colors
Designed to evolve with the seasons, meadow gardens offer ever-changing beauty—from early spring blooms to golden autumn seed heads. Low-maintenance and ecologically rich, this style supports biodiversity while capturing a relaxed, windswept aesthetic that works with a multitude of home styles.
Key Elements of Meadow & Prairie Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Flowing grasses, naturalistic planting, curved pathways, and open sightlines.
- Focus on: Biodiversity, movement, and seasonal change.
- Plantings: Native grasses, coneflowers, milkweed, goldenrod, black-eyed Susans, and wildflowers that support pollinators.
No 23 | Desert
Perfect for dry climates, desert gardens feature drought-tolerant plants like succulents, agaves, and cacti. These landscapes use gravel, boulders, and native plants to create striking visual contrast with minimal water use. Sustainable and stylish, xeriscaping turns arid land into a sculptural showcase.
No 24 | Desert Landscape Design: Drought Resistant Plants
Key Elements of Desert Xeriscape Garden & Landscape Design
- Drought-tolerant plants (succulents, cacti, agave).
- Gravel, decomposed granite, and natural boulders.
- Water conservation focus.
No 25 | Coastal
Coastal gardens capture the breezy, relaxed feeling of life by the water. Designed to withstand salty air, wind, and sandy soil, they often feature hardy grasses, flowering shrubs, and laid-back elements like driftwood, shells, and weathered wood. The vibe is casual and breezy, with colors and textures that echo the shore and sea.
No 26 | Coastal Landscape Design: Salt Tolerant Plants & Flowers
Key Elements of Coastal Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Salt-tolerant plants, sandy soil, driftwood, pebbles or seashell mulch, and weathered materials.
- Focus on: Wind resistance, low maintenance, and relaxed, beachy textures.
- Plantings: Sea thrift, beach grass, lavender, succulents, hydrangeas, and hardy shrubs like rosemary.
No 27 | Mountain
Mountain gardens often feature boulders, evergreens, wildflowers, and sloped paths that mirror the surrounding landscape. Plants are chosen for their hardiness and ability to thrive at higher elevations, with textures and colors that blend into the scenery.
There’s something grounding about a mountain garden—it’s peaceful, raw, and deeply connected to the earth, where the views are as much a part of the garden as the plants themselves.
No 28 | Mountain Landscape Design: Boulders & Stone Pathways
Key Elements of Mountain Garden & Landscape Design
- Key elements: Natural rock outcrops, alpine paths, boulders, log borders, and sloped planting zones.
- Focus on: Rugged terrain, native plants, and blending with the landscape.
- Plantings: Evergreens, wildflowers, sedums, columbine, hostas, and ferns that thrive in cooler climates and varied elevations.
No 29 | Rustic & Country
Rustic and country gardens feel like an invitation to slow down and enjoy the simpler things—weathered textures, blooming borders, and the buzz of pollinators in the air. These spaces aren’t overly manicured; instead, they mix structure with spontaneity, letting flowers spill over paths and herbs grow alongside vegetables.
Materials are humble and natural—aged wood, stone, and repurposed metal—while vintage accents like watering cans or wooden crates add a personal touch. This look celebrates nature, nostalgia, and everyday beauty.
No 30 | Rustic & Country Landscape Design: Magical Lighting
Key Elements of Rustic & Country Garden & Landscape Design
- Natural materials: Reclaimed wood, stone, and aged metal accents.
- Plants: Herbs, wildflowers, cottage blooms, and vegetables side by side.
- Loose layouts with informal paths and overflowing borders.
- Vintage or repurposed decor like watering cans, crates, or old gates.
No 31 | Tropical
Tropical gardens create a lush paradise with bold foliage and vibrant colors. Palm trees, ferns, banana plants, and exotic flowers provide texture and drama. Add a waterfall or bamboo accents for a resort-like retreat right in your backyard.
No 32 | Tropical Landscape Design: Lush Greenery
Key Elements of Tropical Garden & Landscape Design
- Lush foliage: Banana plants, palms, ferns, elephant ears.
- Bold colors, water features, tiki or Balinese elements.
- Shaded seating and rich textures.
No 33 | Urban
Urban gardens are a celebration of creativity in tight quarters. Whether on rooftops, balconies, or tucked into tiny backyards, these gardens prove that limited space doesn’t mean limited beauty. Designed for maximum impact, they often feature vertical planting, smart container choices, and multipurpose furniture.
Greenery becomes a refuge from the concrete surroundings, softening the edges and adding life where it’s least expected. These spaces are personal, practical, and full of personality—little slices of nature woven into the fabric of the city.
No 34 | Urban Landscape Design: A Private Oasis
Key Elements of Urban Garden & Landscape Design
- Maximizing small spaces with vertical gardening.
- Potted plants, compact furniture, privacy screens.
- Focus on utility and visual comfort.
Garden & Landscape Design Types
No 35 | Courtyard
Courtyard gardens are intimate outdoor spaces tucked within the walls of a home or building, offering privacy and tranquility right outside the door. These spaces are perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee, hosting small gatherings, or simply enjoying fresh air in a protected setting. Images via Est Living. (Click through to see all images)
No 36 | Courtyard
Often designed with hardscaping like stone or tile floors, and softened with climbing vines, potted plants, and a central feature like a fountain or tree, courtyards can feel like a secret escape—calm, cozy, and completely personal.
No 37 | Terraced
Terraced gardens turn sloped or uneven land into beautiful, usable layers of greenery. By building level planting areas supported by retaining walls, you not only prevent erosion but also create a dynamic visual structure.
Each level can have its own theme—herbs on one, flowering shrubs on another—making the most of vertical space and sun exposure. Terraced gardens add rhythm and depth to a landscape, often blending stone, steps, and plantings into a hillside in a way that feels both architectural and organic.
No 38 | Vertical
Vertical gardens are ideal for small spaces or for making a bold, green statement on a wall or fence. Whether it’s a grid of planters, a trellis of climbing vines, or a full living wall, vertical gardening brings plants up to eye level and adds lush texture to otherwise blank surfaces.
No 39 | Vertical
These gardens are practical too—perfect for herbs, lettuces, or trailing flowers when ground space is limited. They’re a smart, stylish solution for modern living and a beautiful way to introduce greenery anywhere. Images via Potting Up. (Click through to see all images)
No 40 | Rooftop & Balcony
No backyard? No problem. Rooftop and balcony gardens turn overlooked outdoor nooks into green getaways high above the city bustle. Image via Gardens London. (Click through for more)
No 41 | Rooftop & Balcony
These gardens make use of vertical surfaces, railing planters, and clever storage to pack style and function into small footprints. The result is a personal retreat that brings nature closer, even several stories up. Some may have room for a full setup with seating and planters, while others might just fit a few well-chosen pots, but every bit of space counts.
No 42 | Greenhouse
A greenhouse is more than just a place to grow, it’s a year-round invitation to garden. These glass or polycarbonate structures capture warmth and light, extending your growing season and allowing for tropical or tender plants to thrive.
No 43 | Greenhouse
This picturesque scene courtesy of BC Greenhouses features a black framed greenhouse surrounded by lush landscaping and is ready to entertain. Visit their website to shop here.
No 44 | Front Yard
Your front yard is the first impression your home gives and a well-designed garden can make it a welcoming, standout feature. Whether you choose a traditional lawn with tidy flower beds or a drought-tolerant xeriscape with native grasses and gravel, front yard gardens let you combine curb appeal with your own personal style.
No 45 | Front Yard
This front yard swaps grass for gravel, rocks, a paver path and beautiful meadow style landscaping for a yard that never needs mowing.
No 46 | Outdoor Living
Outdoor living rooms blur the line between home and garden, turning patios and decks into true extensions of your indoor space. With weatherproof furniture, rugs, cushions, and maybe even a fireplace or TV, these areas are perfect for relaxing, reading, or hosting guests in the open air.
No 47 | Outdoor Living
Surrounded by plants or tucked under a pergola, an outdoor living room offers comfort, style, and a whole new reason to stay outside longer.
No 48 | Outdoor Dining
There’s something special about sharing a meal outdoors—whether it’s a family dinner on the patio or a late summer brunch under the trees. Outdoor dining spaces range from full built-in kitchens to simple tables beneath string lights.
No 49 | Outdoor Dining
With the right setup—shaded seating, a durable surface, and maybe a view—your garden becomes a place to gather, connect, and savor the moment, one bite at a time. Images via Home on a Nashville Hill. (Click through to see all images)
Garden & Landscape Design Elements
No 50 | Lighting
Lighting turns a garden into a magical place after dark. Soft path lights, glowing lanterns, string lights in the trees, or uplighting on focal plants create depth and drama in the evening.
No 51 | Lighting
More than just practical, garden lighting sets the mood: Romantic, mysterious, festive, or calm. It lets you enjoy your outdoor space long after the sun goes down and helps every feature, from plants to patios, shine. Images via Setting For Four. (Click through to see all images)
No 52 | Raised Beds & Planters
Raised beds and planters bring gardening up to a more accessible level—both literally and visually. They define space, improve drainage, and make it easier to tend your plants without bending or kneeling.
From herbs and vegetables to flowers and ornamental plants, they help organize your space in a clean, efficient way—no matter the size of your yard (or balcony). With endless options for layout and materials, they’re a practical choice that can be tailored to fit your style and needs.
No 53 | Fences & Walls
Fences and walls serve more than just practical purposes—they help define the boundaries and personality of your garden. A white picket fence might offer classic charm, while a modern slatted wood wall brings clean lines and privacy.
No 54 | Fences & Walls
Stone, brick, or even living walls can provide structure and texture. Whether you’re keeping pets safe, blocking wind, or simply framing your space, fences and walls are key elements in creating a cohesive, intentional landscape. Images via Philip Withers. (Click through to see all images)
No 55 | Hedges & Privacy
Hedges and privacy screens form soft borders that feel more natural than fences. A well-trimmed boxwood or laurel hedge adds formal shape, while looser plantings of bamboo or tall grasses provide a more casual atmosphere. Want to block a neighbor’s view or create a private corner? Green walls combine function and beauty to the landscape, providing natural privacy, reduce noise, and act as a vibrant, living backdrop for your garden space.
No 56 | Hedges & Privacy
An exposed deck becomes a private sanctuary with the help of bamboo blinds hung behind seating at mid height. Both potted and hanging ferns further add to the cozy enclosed environment while also adding color and vibrancy to the space.
No 57 | Pergolas
A pergola adds instant atmosphere to an outdoor space. With open beams overhead, it defines a room without walls—perfect for dining, lounging, or simply offering a bit of shade. Often draped with climbing roses, wisteria, or string lights, pergolas frame the garden beautifully while creating a cozy, semi-sheltered zone. It’s one of those features that instantly elevates any backyard, making it feel more intentional and inviting.
No 58 | Pergolas
In this Japanese inspired garden designed by Joe Perkins, wisteria hangs from a steel frame pergola that will eventually provide full cover. Low lying plants are woven between large stepping stoes, and a water feature adds a beautiful touch to the tranquil vibes of this space. (Click through to see all images)
No 59 | Pathways
Pathways guide movement and define space, linking one area to the next and inviting exploration. Made from gravel, flagstone, brick, or pavers, a good path isn’t just functional—it’s also an opportunity to play with rhythm, texture, and direction. Curving paths can create a sense of mystery, while straight lines feel purposeful and clean. Even the smallest trail can turn a garden into a journey.
No 60 | Pathways
In this design by Colm Joseph Gardens, a gravel path curves around a beautiful modern home, framed by meadow style landscaping in varying heights, which creates plenty of visual interest . Photos @richardbloomphoto. Garden build by @gadd_brothers. (Click through to see all images)
No 61 | Stone Pavers
Stone pavers are both practical and beautiful, grounding your outdoor space with texture and structure. Whether used for walkways, patios, or stepping stones, they come in a wide range of styles—from rustic flagstone to sleek modern slabs. Pavers define areas and make them usable in all seasons, while complementing the plants and features around them.
No 62 | Stone Pavers
Here, limestone pavers in a herringbone pattern create a textural yet subtle look. Design via Mint Design AU. Pavers by Eco Outdoor. Landscape design: @mintdesignau Pool and landscape build: @tlc_pools Photography: @danimages.
No 63 | Water Features
Few elements transform a garden like the sound and sight of water. Water features bring movement, sound, and a sense of serenity whether it’s a classic fountain, a bubbling urn, a modern reflecting pool, or a naturalistic pond. They attract wildlife, reflect the sky, and offer a focal point for planting and design. Even a small water bowl can make a big impact, turning your space into a more immersive, calming retreat.
No 64 | Water Features
Beautiful stone + steel water feature by Colm Joseph Gardens. Love the unique integration of the boulder and bronze toned steel trough surrounded by perrenials and followed by a serene sweeping landscape. (Click through to see all images)
No 65 | Fire Features
Fire brings warmth, glow, and a gathering point to outdoor spaces. A fire pit, chiminea, or built-in fireplace extends your garden’s use into the cooler months and adds a natural place for people to gather.
From roasting marshmallows to quietly enjoying the glow, fire features bring warmth, atmosphere, and a timeless gathering point to any outdoor space. There’s something instinctively comforting about an open flame—it draws people together and makes evenings outside feel a little more special.
We hope these 22+ garden & landscape ideas have sparked your creativity and shown you just how transformative good design can be. Whether you’re drawn to the minimalist design of modern landscaping or the floral beauty of shabby chic, there’s no shortage of inspiration to elevate your own yard into a gorgeous sanctuary. With some creativity, even the smallest outdoor area can leave a lasting impression. Happy styling, and may your next landscaping project be as inspiring as the ones we’ve shared! ⋒
This post was all about Garden & Landscape Design Ideas
