Gorgeous Outdoor Looks to Steal

The metal water feature, curved benches and custom fire pit create a stunning contemporary gathering spot in this California home. A low-cost way to enhance the look of your landscaping and pull the look together is to repeat the foliage and flower colors in outdoor fabric. Designer Jane Ellison says the cushions change with the seasons.

In this design by Virginia Rockwell, lush plantings soften the sculptural quality of the multi-trunked tree and rustic Windsor chairs for a retreat-like feeling. To create this look in your backyard, choose an assortment of one-gallon perennials that do well in your climate; planted well, one-gallon perennials will soon catch up to three- and five-gallon plants, and you will have saved a bundle.

Designed by Bob Hursthouse, this gorgeous wooded backyard has an easy flow between dining, cooking and relaxing areas. Stone can be a huge expense for a large space such as this; to save money, use stamped concrete pavers, which can be stained to mimic the look of flagstone, slate and other natural stone.

Side yards are often the most neglected part of the landscape. Here, designer Pamela Berstler converted a narrow space into a private, shady garden area, thanks to a combination of fencing and plants, plus a pergola that blocks the view from neighboring windows. Shop at flea markets and salvage yards for trellises and fence panels.