Ideas For Your Backyard

Go eclectic with unexpected twists and unique details. This water feature wall by Morgan Holt gets an attractive, ethereal glow from an underwater light hidden in the basin and the stacked glass edge. Photograph by Rick Brazil.

Design Style: Arts and Crafts Movement

Sometimes a striking structure makes all the difference. This courtyard by Katrina Leonidov Fairchild features an arbor in the style made famous by notable Arts and Crafts architects Greene & Greene.

Design Style: Asian

Designer Jamie Durie's Japanese-style garden features nods to tradition with a tatami room and sunken dining area. Paper lanterns are another pretty, Asian accent. Photography by Jason Busch.

Design Style: Contemporary

Backyard design isn't all about landscaping. You can dress up your deck, too! This contemporary look from designer Brian Patrick Flynn gets its fresh vibe from smooth lines and bold pops of color against neutrals.

Design Style: Cottage

Interior cottage style is all about florals, so it's no wonder that the look translates well outdoors, as this garden by RMSer jndesign proves. The botanical palette (dusty lilac and shades of green accented by pops of yellow and fuchsia) and quaint, picket-topped privacy fence are quintessential cottage touches.

Design Style: English Country

If you don't like prying eyes, take a cue from this classic English walled garden by Robert Hursthouse. The layout offers privacy and seclusion, along with beautiful hidden terraces.

Design Style: Mediterranean

Evoke the feel of a warm, gentle climate with Mediterranean details. The textured walls, graceful arches and hand-painted tiles in this space by Jamie Durie are hallmarks of the style.

Design Style: Southwestern

The earth-toned palette, rustic fireplace and potted cacti lend this dining patio by Mitch Kalamian some Southwestern flair. And if you're looking to capture the same mood in your backyard, sometimes it pays to go straight to the source: The Canterra stone for this space was imported from Mexico.

Design Style: Tropical

Sun-seeking palms and oversized planters filled with blooms turn this space, designed by Chad Robert, into a tropical hideaway. Walking down the slate pathway to the crystal-blue pool feels like being transported to a five-star resort.

Source: www.hgtv.com

Landscaping Tips

Though your home is your castle, there is no necessity to surround it with a moat. Here are 5 tips that will help you to make your landscaping feel more warm, welcoming and cozy.

1. Put some flowers nearby your entrance. Flowers make any area look more welcoming and attractive, so greeting your guests with Petunia, Snapdragon, Lily-of-the-Nile or some other garden flowers is always a great thing to do. What is more, to add some space between your house and the entrance, you can consider adding a little white fence. It will create an illusion that your front yard is bigger than it actually is. What is more, adding fence will create a great space for planting flowers to add some color and coziness.

2. Add rambling vines to make your yard look absolutely lovely. You can not deny that rambling vines always create romantic and even magical atmosphere. So why not to use this tip while decorating your yard?

3. To hide the unattractive driveway, consider adding some color, texture, and height. You can easily do it by adding various sorts of flowers. To start, create an island of green lawn right in the hub of a drive. Then add a couple of low boxwood hedges with flowers toward the back of your island.

4. If you want your yard to blossom and flourish bust still do not have enough time to maintain it, consider planting low-fuss lilies. Such flowers look absolutely gorgeous and come in the variety of rainbow hues, so you can pick the one you love most. What is more, low-fuss lilies do not care about the sort of soil, they love the sun and welcome hot, they do not afraid of drought. In other words, Crinums is an ideal flower for all those who are looking for low-maintenance solutions.

5. The last tip also touches the low-maintenance aspect. To make your life easier, group plantings into beds and islands. This will help you to avoid mowing and trimming around each individual plant, save a lot of time and even money.