5 Stunning Before and After Garden Makeovers

In my experience, transforming your garden and backyard spaces can be one of the most worthwhile and rewarding activities for your home. Whether you want to add color and texture with native flowers and plants, open up space for pets and wildlife, or simply create a serene spot for yourself, friends, and family to enjoy, the options are almost limitless. Here, you’ll find five absolutely stunning garden makeover and transformation projects to admire and inspire.

1) Lake Forest Garden and Pergola

This stunning large family home’s back garden was transformed into a serene outdoor living space in this expansive transformation project.

The centerpiece of this garden makeover design was a flagstone patio with a pergola, which provided a stunning area to relax and unwind in the spring, summer, and fall months.

The broader garden also features newly planted garden beds, water features, and decorative trees to complete the space.

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2) Upper North Shore, Sydney – Sloped Backyard Landscaping

This expansive, sloping backyard was initially open and empty, urgently requiring some enhancement to its character.

The design of this extensive backyard centers around dry-stacked sandstone retaining walls, a wet edge pool, and a curved feature wall. The once-sloping lawn has been cleverly divided into three distinct levels for entertainment. The redesign’s striking effect comes from integrating natural materials like pebbles, timber, and stone, which provide a stark contrast to the sleek, modern pool.

I love that the standout feature of this garden is the curved sandstone wall paired with a curved timber bench set against a backdrop of decomposed granite flooring.

Wide granite-tiled stairs, another use of natural material, connect the garden’s upper and lower levels. The strategically placed seating area lets the homeowners fully appreciate every aspect of this beautifully reimagined garden.

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3) United Kingdom – Landscaped Garden and Water Feature

This lovely older property in England previously had a large paved patio garden with a swimming pool, which had been left to decay for many years.

This extensive garden makeover saw the pool replaced with a beautiful new water feature and the grounds planted with a broad array of native trees and plants.

I love the textures and colors the new garden affords, which will effortlessly evolve as the seasons change each year. This one is also great for friendly pollinators and biodiversity.

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4) Chicago Front Yard Home Transformation

This small mid-century family home’s garden hadn’t changed much since it was originally built.

The garden makeover project did an excellent job of rejuvenating the space that was previously prone to frequent flooding and standing water.

The lovely new patio is now a great spot to sit back and relax. With extensive new planting and hedging, the front yard also has some privacy from the sidewalk and street. There’s also now a working stone oven for cookouts!

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5) North London Garden Makeover

This old Victorian home’s back garden in London was incredibly run down and unappealing before this stunning transformation.

Alongside new fencing and borders, the garden space has been cleverly divided to feature a limestone patio at the front with a sizeable area for newly laid grass towards the back.

I love that the raised beds and borders provide ample space for local plants and evergreen trees in this garden makeover. This is now a peaceful and tranquil garden, perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

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Further Reading: Discover a collection of the most beautiful types of purple flowers for your garden: