Courtyard garden design — feature example — Modern courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall backdrop, dark wicker sectional, light wood coffee table, slate paver path, dark grey concrete planters with agave, geometric metal sculpture, glowing path lights, and climbing roses.

Courtyard Garden Design

37 courtyard designs across 9 styles

Redesign My Courtyard

Courtyards trade space for intimacy. The enclosure on multiple sides creates a sheltered microclimate, lets you grow plants that struggle elsewhere, and turns every surface, walls included, into design opportunity.

Plant vertically. Climbers on the walls, espalier fruit trees, and tall narrow planters multiply your planting surface without taking floor space. A single water feature against one wall changes the acoustics, courtyards amplify sound, and trickling water masks neighbour noise. Pale paving and walls bounce light into a space that is often shadier than it looks.

Courtyard garden gallery

Modern courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall backdrop, dark wicker sectional, light wood coffee table, slate paver path, dark grey concrete planters with agave, geometric metal sculpture, glowing path lights, and climbing roses.

Modern Courtyard with Brick Wall, Sectional & Agave Planters

Mediterranean courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, central terracotta jar with an olive tree, ferns, lavender in terracotta pots, climbing roses, ornamental grasses, festoon string lights, and a stone-edged border.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Olive Tree Jar, Ferns & Lavender

Japanese-inspired courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, river rock central bed, dark wood bench, stone lantern, bamboo water fountain, ferns, hostas, glazed pots, and glowing path lights.

Japanese Courtyard with River Rock Bed, Stone Lantern & Bamboo Fountain

Tropical courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, terracotta pots with monstera, bromeliads, crotons and bird of paradise, light wood rattan chair, copper path lights, and a stone-edged border.

Tropical Courtyard with Monstera, Bromeliads & Rattan Chair

Contemporary courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, horizontal wood slat privacy screen, dark metal bench with cushions, dark grey concrete planters with agave, copper bowl water fountain, festoon string lights, and a stone-edged border.

Contemporary Courtyard with Slat Screen, Bench & Bowl Fountain

Enclosed cozy courtyard featuring a central firepit, wicker armchairs with cushions, brick paver flooring, a wooden bench, and terracotta planters with flowers.

Cozy Courtyard with Firepit & Wicker Lounge Chairs

Compact modern courtyard featuring grey pavers with gravel borders, two wooden barrel planters with topiaries, white parasol, and lush green plantings.

Modern Courtyard with Barrel Planters & Grey Pavers

View through a window into a Mediterranean courtyard featuring a circular sand-stone fountain, boxwood spheres, lavender beds, and red Japanese maples.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Circular Fountain & Japanese Maples

Modern courtyard featuring a curved gravel path with stone stepping stones, boxwood topiaries in terracotta pots, two wicker armchairs, white double doors, and ornate lanterns.

Modern Courtyard with Stepping Stones & Boxwood Topiaries

Mediterranean courtyard at golden hour featuring a wooden vine-covered pergola, terracotta paver floor, decorative wall planters with snake plant, terracotta pots, and a golden retriever wandering through.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Vine Pergola & Wall Planters

Eclectic bohemian courtyard with terracotta walls featuring a rattan loveseat, wooden bench, terracotta planters with ferns and palms, succulent bowl planter, lanterns, and a wooden gate.

Bohemian Courtyard with Rattan Loveseat & Tropical Pots

Compact modern courtyard featuring a wooden pergola with retractable canopy, white sectional sofa with cushions, dining set with white chairs, terracotta pots with red roses, neat boxwood spheres, and lawn squares between pavers.

Modern Courtyard with Pergola, Sectional & Dining

Compact cozy courtyard at twilight featuring a stone paver patio, wicker loveseat with cushions, wicker armchair, dark coffee table, terracotta planter, wooden privacy fence, and warm string lights.

Cozy Courtyard at Twilight with Wicker Loveseat & String Lights

Compact traditional courtyard featuring a sandstone paver patio, wrought-iron bistro set with cream cushions and parasol, terracotta planters with red geraniums, lavender, topiaries, and a white spiral staircase.

Traditional Courtyard with Bistro Set & Spiral Staircase

Compact Japanese-inspired courtyard at twilight featuring a wood deck, white wall with sconces, dark wicker sectional with cushions, large bonsai-style potted tree, white pebble rock garden, stepping stones in artificial grass, dark wicker armchair, and lanterns.

Japanese Courtyard at Twilight with Bonsai, Rock Garden & Sectional

Mediterranean courtyard featuring manicured artificial grass with stepping stones, a hammock between olive tree and red wall, small terracotta paver patio, terracotta pot with palm, neat boxwood borders, and views of terracotta-tile-roof homes.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Hammock & Olive Tree

Compact bohemian courtyard nook at twilight featuring a terracotta pot fountain, wooden bench, dark planters with snake plants, festoon string lights, and a dark wood privacy fence.

Bohemian Courtyard at Twilight with Terracotta Fountain & Pots

Mediterranean side yard featuring a paver path, terracotta pots with topiaries, banana plant, lavender pots, small dining nook with parasol, lanterns, and a white siding house.

Mediterranean Side Yard with Paver Path & Terracotta Pots

Compact modern side yard featuring a stone retaining wall, white wall, metal staircase, paver patio, dark wicker armchair with cushion, dark planter with red flower, mulched edges with topiaries and lavender, and a glowing orb light.

Modern Courtyard with Stone Wall, Staircase & Armchair

Compact bohemian courtyard featuring a dark grey siding wall, blue hot tub in corner, wicker armchairs with cream cushions, low coffee table with candle, terracotta pots with snake plants, smoker BBQ, festoon string lights, and a dark wicker sofa.

Bohemian Courtyard with Hot Tub, Armchairs & String Lights

Compact Japanese-inspired courtyard at twilight featuring a raked sand garden with rocks, central rock garden with stone path, succulents, paver patio, ornamental grasses, small light wood shed, glowing path lights, and a dark wood lattice privacy panel.

Japanese Courtyard at Twilight with Raked Sand, Rocks & Stepping Stones

Mediterranean villa courtyard featuring a brick wall, brown wood pergola, mulched garden borders with white roses, lavender, boxwood spheres, brick path leading to a dining set under the pergola, and lush plantings.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Pergola, Roses & Boxwood Spheres

Compact cottage courtyard featuring a light wood pergola arch with green wreaths, light wood lattice privacy panels, wooden bench with white cushion, dark wicker sectional sofa with cushions, dark wicker coffee table, terracotta pots with topiaries, and lavender.

Cottage Courtyard with Pergola Arch, Bench & Sectional

Productive cottage courtyard featuring raised wood vegetable beds with cabbages and chillies, gravel path, lavender border, fruit trees, dark iron railing, beige paver patio with slatted wood bench, and a mountain view in the distance.

Cottage Productive Courtyard with Vegetable Beds, Fruit Trees & Mountain View

Aerial small cottage courtyard at twilight featuring a light wood pergola arch with white pillar, light grey paver patio, dark wicker bench with cushions, terracotta pots with topiaries and marigolds, glowing path lights, and rendered courtyard walls.

Aerial Cottage Courtyard at Twilight with Pergola Arch, Bench & Glowing Path Lights

Mediterranean compact courtyard featuring a light wood pergola, beige stucco walls, raised stone planter wall with lavender, light wood bench, terracotta pots with topiaries, beige paver patio, and an olive tree.

Mediterranean Courtyard with Pergola, Bench & Lavender Planter Wall

Mediterranean walled courtyard featuring a light wood paver path, white walls, lavender borders with ornamental grasses, agave, olive trees in raised stone planters, dwarf evergreens, and gravel patches.

Mediterranean Walled Courtyard with Paver Path, Olive Trees & Agave

Mediterranean villa courtyard featuring a beige stucco wall with terracotta tile roof, paver path, brown wood door, mulched borders with white roses and lavender, terracotta pots with topiaries, dark planters, beige umbrella, and ornamental grasses.

Mediterranean Villa Courtyard with Stucco Walls, Rose Borders & Umbrella

Mediterranean walled courtyard featuring white walls, light wood paver path with gravel, lavender borders, ornamental grasses, mature olive trees, dwarf evergreens, agave, and a modern white stucco entrance with brown wood door.

Mediterranean Walled Courtyard with Paver Path, Olive Trees & Lavender Borders

Mediterranean compact courtyard featuring white walls, light wood seating, dining set, brown wood door with festoon string lights, cream paver patio, mulched border with ornamental grasses, lavender, and raised wood planter beds.

Mediterranean Compact Courtyard with Stucco Walls, Dining Set & Festoon Lights

Mediterranean productive courtyard featuring a red stucco home, raised wood vegetable bed with cabbages, lettuces, tomato plants on stakes, lavender, herbs, gravel path, low concrete wall, and a mature pine tree.

Mediterranean Productive Courtyard with Vegetable Bed, Pine Tree & Stucco Home

Mediterranean Spanish courtyard at golden hour featuring a beige stucco home with terracotta tile roof, dining set with chairs, terracotta urns with herbs, brick patio, beige stone wall, mulched border with bougainvillea (pink flowers), and an olive tree.

Mediterranean Spanish Courtyard with Bougainvillea & Dining Set

Cottage compact courtyard featuring a red brick wall house, manicured boxwood spheres along a cobblestone path, ornamental grasses, dark grey wood double doors, paver path with cobblestones, and dwarf evergreens.

Cottage Compact Courtyard with Boxwood Spheres, Cobblestone Path & Double Doors

Mediterranean Greek courtyard featuring a cobblestone paver path, brown wood pergola, brown wood bench, terracotta pots with topiaries, lavender, red flowers, mulched border with grasses, white iron lanterns, climbing vines, manicured lawn, and a beige stucco home with terracotta tile roof.

Mediterranean Greek Courtyard with Cobblestone Path, Pergola & Fountain

Compact Mediterranean courtyard featuring a cream stucco home with red tile roof, light wood dining set with chairs, dark wicker armchair, central round stone fountain, brown lanterns, paver path, lavender borders, dwarf evergreens, and a beige paver patio.

Mediterranean Compact Courtyard with Fountain, Dining Set & Lavender Borders

Mediterranean compact courtyard featuring white stucco walls, manicured boxwood spheres, ornamental grasses, lavender, olive trees, paver path with stepping stones, terracotta brick edging, and dwarf evergreens.

Mediterranean Compact Courtyard with Boxwood Spheres, Olive Trees & Stepping Stones

Modern compact courtyard featuring a dark grey gate, raised wood vegetable beds with leafy greens, beige paver patio, ornamental grasses, lavender, white stucco walls, and a brick column entry.

Modern Compact Courtyard with Raised Vegetable Beds & Stucco Walls

Courtyard design by style

The same courtyard in 9 different styles — see which look fits your house and climate.

Modern Courtyard — Modern courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall backdrop, dark wicker sectional, light wood coffee table, slate paver path, dark grey concrete planters with agave, geometric metal sculpture, glowing path lights, and climbing roses.

Modern Courtyard

Modern Courtyard with Brick Wall, Sectional & Agave Planters

Mediterranean Courtyard — Mediterranean courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, central terracotta jar with an olive tree, ferns, lavender in terracotta pots, climbing roses, ornamental grasses, festoon string lights, and a stone-edged border.

Mediterranean Courtyard

Mediterranean Courtyard with Olive Tree Jar, Ferns & Lavender

Japanese Courtyard — Japanese-inspired courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, river rock central bed, dark wood bench, stone lantern, bamboo water fountain, ferns, hostas, glazed pots, and glowing path lights.

Japanese Courtyard

Japanese Courtyard with River Rock Bed, Stone Lantern & Bamboo Fountain

Tropical Courtyard — Tropical courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, terracotta pots with monstera, bromeliads, crotons and bird of paradise, light wood rattan chair, copper path lights, and a stone-edged border.

Tropical Courtyard

Tropical Courtyard with Monstera, Bromeliads & Rattan Chair

Contemporary Courtyard — Contemporary courtyard featuring a vine-covered brick wall, horizontal wood slat privacy screen, dark metal bench with cushions, dark grey concrete planters with agave, copper bowl water fountain, festoon string lights, and a stone-edged border.

Contemporary Courtyard

Contemporary Courtyard with Slat Screen, Bench & Bowl Fountain

Cozy Courtyard — Enclosed cozy courtyard featuring a central firepit, wicker armchairs with cushions, brick paver flooring, a wooden bench, and terracotta planters with flowers.

Cozy Courtyard

Cozy Courtyard with Firepit & Wicker Lounge Chairs

Bohemian Courtyard — Eclectic bohemian courtyard with terracotta walls featuring a rattan loveseat, wooden bench, terracotta planters with ferns and palms, succulent bowl planter, lanterns, and a wooden gate.

Bohemian Courtyard

Bohemian Courtyard with Rattan Loveseat & Tropical Pots

Traditional Courtyard — Compact traditional courtyard featuring a sandstone paver patio, wrought-iron bistro set with cream cushions and parasol, terracotta planters with red geraniums, lavender, topiaries, and a white spiral staircase.

Traditional Courtyard

Traditional Courtyard with Bistro Set & Spiral Staircase

Cottage Courtyard — Compact cottage courtyard featuring a light wood pergola arch with green wreaths, light wood lattice privacy panels, wooden bench with white cushion, dark wicker sectional sofa with cushions, dark wicker coffee table, terracotta pots with topiaries, and lavender.

Cottage Courtyard

Cottage Courtyard with Pergola Arch, Bench & Sectional

More modern designs →More mediterranean designs →More japanese designs →More tropical designs →More contemporary designs →More cozy designs →More bohemian designs →More traditional designs →More cottage designs →

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Courtyard garden design — frequently asked questions

How do I start designing a courtyard?

Plant vertically. Climbers on the walls, espalier fruit trees, and tall narrow planters multiply your planting surface without taking floor space. A single water feature against one wall changes the acoustics, courtyards amplify sound, and trickling water masks neighbour noise. Pale paving and walls bounce light into a space that is often shadier than it looks.

What is the best garden style for a courtyard?

Every major garden style works in a courtyard — the right one depends on your house, your climate, and how you want to use the space. The "Courtyard design by style" section above shows the 9 styles represented in this gallery so you can see each one applied to a courtyard before committing.

How much does a courtyard redesign cost?

Courtyard redesigns vary from $3,000–$10,000 for refresh-level projects (new planting, furniture, lighting), $15,000–$40,000 for full mid-range builds including hardscape and structural work, and $50,000+ for premium builds with custom features. Use AI Garden Design to preview the look before spending a cent.

Can I get an AI redesign of my own courtyard?

Yes. Upload a photo of your current courtyard, pick a target style, and AI Garden Design returns a photorealistic redesign in under two minutes that keeps your structural elements and reimagines the rest.

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