15 Creative Desert Landscape Ideas
Desert areas have become increasingly popular as both full-time residences and seasonal retreats and vacation homes. Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California, and Nevada are among the areas people of all ages are choosing to settle — both for job and investment opportunities and quality of life. So, if you've recently moved to a desert area, or have plans to, think about ways to transform your home into a unique paradise with creative desert landscape ideas.
But before you let your imagination run rampant with Pinterest inspiration, know that desert homes have specific challenges. Aesthetic appeal, sustainability, and maintenance costs are all critical considerations as you create your own outdoor oasis. So, to get you started, here are some of the top Xeriscaping ideas.
DCA88 / Shutterstock
Outdoor areas should vibe with your house style, which may range from classic adobe to ultra-modern. As with interior home design, you don't have to execute the entire plan at once. Create a timeline that allows you to create your ideal desert landscaping in stages.
Sarah Edwards / Shutterstock
All deserts are not equal. The elevation of your home can have an impact on temperature and water availability, so be sure to select plants and outdoor decor that are right for your specific climate.
Santiago Cornejo
Spaces for basking in the sunlight are essential for the desert landscape, but you should also consider the impact of desert heat on your home and family. Creative shade structures like pergolas and gazebos are popular, as are installations that cover carports or the front of your house.
Ingrid Curry / Shutterstock
Walkways are not only functional, but they can also add drama and interest to the front of your home. Choose colors and pavers that fit with your decor, drain well, and withstand desert heat.
Shippee / Shutterstock
Succulents require very little watering and maintenance. Create a succulent garden that will stand the tests of time and weather.
spetenfia / Shutterstock
When you think of the desert, you might only imagine cacti and dull green or brown vegetation. But many desert plants produce vibrant blooms. Plants flower at different times, so stage your display so you'll have the maximum amount of color in your desert landscaping.
Lori Williamson / Shutterstock
Citrus and nut trees, as well as varieties like these, contain edible parts, but you can also create a veritable fruit salad from these desert-friendly plantings.
Martin Kulle / Shutterstock
From hummingbirds to monarchs, certain creatures love colors and fragrances. Choose plants that draw birds and butterflies into your desert landscaping.
Simone Hogan / Shutterstock
Throughout the desert, natural rock formations are dramatic and unique. Interspersing different colors and sizes, as in this yard, adds a new dimension — especially for larger areas.
Svetlana123 / Shutterstock
Rocks and stones can be used to create everything from outdoor furniture to walls that separate different parts of your property. Combine those elements with vegetation to break up the monotony of flat spaces.
Rafael Koga Fotografia / Shutterstock
Potted plants, a miniature "zen garden," and wood screens or trellises add visual interest and can also create a sense of privacy.
Jodie Johnson / Shutterstock
According to Kellan Ray, Owner of Blue Ribbon Landscape in Mesa, Arizona, planning for both the path of the sun and evening lighting are essential. Choose fixtures that work with your decor and provide security and ambiance.
alexandre zveiger / Shutterstock
Budget and space permitting, you can build a fully-functional cooking and entertaining area outdoors. These homeowners incorporated stoves, refrigerators, and even fully-functioning bars to their desert kitchens.
Jannie van Wyk / Shutterstock
Pools and hot tubs are a focal point of many desert dwellings. Naturally-shaped and stone pools that fit with the landscape are especially popular.
Dimasik_sh / Shutterstock
Temperatures into the 100s are commonplace in the desert, so select dining and lounging options that won't scorch your skin. When you invest in outside decor, think about wearability, longevity, cleaning, and temperature resistance. Practicality and sustainability are as important as visual appeal.
Know Your Environment: What Is Xeriscaping?
Droughts are frequent in desert climates, and many of us are conserving water these days. Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping that minimizes water use as much as 50-75%. You can do it not only through plant choice but also through your irrigation plans. Limiting lawn areas and using water-efficient plants and mulch are among the seven core principles of xeriscaping.15 landscape ideas to help you create your outdoor oasis
1. Let your Xeriscaping compliment your house style
DCA88 / Shutterstock
Outdoor areas should vibe with your house style, which may range from classic adobe to ultra-modern. As with interior home design, you don't have to execute the entire plan at once. Create a timeline that allows you to create your ideal desert landscaping in stages.
2. Understand highs and lows
Sarah Edwards / Shutterstock
All deserts are not equal. The elevation of your home can have an impact on temperature and water availability, so be sure to select plants and outdoor decor that are right for your specific climate.
3. Balance shade and sun
Santiago Cornejo
Spaces for basking in the sunlight are essential for the desert landscape, but you should also consider the impact of desert heat on your home and family. Creative shade structures like pergolas and gazebos are popular, as are installations that cover carports or the front of your house.
4. Plot your paths
Ingrid Curry / Shutterstock
Walkways are not only functional, but they can also add drama and interest to the front of your home. Choose colors and pavers that fit with your decor, drain well, and withstand desert heat.
5. Stay simple with succulents
Shippee / Shutterstock
Succulents require very little watering and maintenance. Create a succulent garden that will stand the tests of time and weather.
6. Consider flowers
spetenfia / Shutterstock
When you think of the desert, you might only imagine cacti and dull green or brown vegetation. But many desert plants produce vibrant blooms. Plants flower at different times, so stage your display so you'll have the maximum amount of color in your desert landscaping.
7. Fruit trees are fun and functional
Lori Williamson / Shutterstock
Citrus and nut trees, as well as varieties like these, contain edible parts, but you can also create a veritable fruit salad from these desert-friendly plantings.
8. Birds and butterflies make great house guests
Martin Kulle / Shutterstock
From hummingbirds to monarchs, certain creatures love colors and fragrances. Choose plants that draw birds and butterflies into your desert landscaping.
9. Know your rocks
Simone Hogan / Shutterstock
Throughout the desert, natural rock formations are dramatic and unique. Interspersing different colors and sizes, as in this yard, adds a new dimension — especially for larger areas.
10. Create elevations in flat areas
Svetlana123 / Shutterstock
Rocks and stones can be used to create everything from outdoor furniture to walls that separate different parts of your property. Combine those elements with vegetation to break up the monotony of flat spaces.
11. Small backyard area? No problem
Rafael Koga Fotografia / Shutterstock
Potted plants, a miniature "zen garden," and wood screens or trellises add visual interest and can also create a sense of privacy.
12. Light it up
Jodie Johnson / Shutterstock
According to Kellan Ray, Owner of Blue Ribbon Landscape in Mesa, Arizona, planning for both the path of the sun and evening lighting are essential. Choose fixtures that work with your decor and provide security and ambiance.
13. Create your dream kitchen outdoors
alexandre zveiger / Shutterstock
Budget and space permitting, you can build a fully-functional cooking and entertaining area outdoors. These homeowners incorporated stoves, refrigerators, and even fully-functioning bars to their desert kitchens.
14. Splash and soak
Jannie van Wyk / Shutterstock
Pools and hot tubs are a focal point of many desert dwellings. Naturally-shaped and stone pools that fit with the landscape are especially popular.
15. Choose outdoor furniture that withstands the climate
Dimasik_sh / Shutterstock
Temperatures into the 100s are commonplace in the desert, so select dining and lounging options that won't scorch your skin. When you invest in outside decor, think about wearability, longevity, cleaning, and temperature resistance. Practicality and sustainability are as important as visual appeal.
