To create an inviting courtyard garden on your property, it is essential to personalize your space and add some verdant greenery for an outdoor oasis. Comfortable and attractive seating is a fabulous idea for your outdoor area, as you will want to enjoy the fruits of your labor and entertain family and friends.

Growing vines can help to add visual interest and intimacy while also concealing a part of your wall. Depending on where you live, varying plants will help to add to the overall aesthetic. Have a look below for some fantastic ideas on how to transform your outdoor space into a secret garden that you will wish to spend plenty of time in. Don’t forget to let us know which one of these ideas most inspired you and why in the Comments below!

1. A farmstead in the Northwest corner of Washington State features this lovely kitchen courtyard, sheltered from the elements. A glass breezeway opens to embrace the sprawling fields to the south. The paver patio is defined by a stone wall and arbor, thoughtfully positioned around and under a 50-year-old ornamental cherry tree. The pathway is composed of Skagit Valley basalt, crushed 1/2″ minus gravel. The lime green plants at the base of the wall are Heuchera ‘key lime’. Pathway lights are the 7206 from Vista Pro. (via Lankford Associates Landscape Architects)

2. This Mediterranean courtyard located in the Silverleaf community of Scottsdale, Arizona features a beautiful water fountain as its focal point. The gardens are lush and regal, accented by pathways and a beautiful iron pergola. (via Berghoff Design Group)

3. Located in Philadelphia, this inviting industrial courtyard brick patio offers a Zen-like feel. A similar outdoor bistro set can be found at Fermob. (via Hanson Fine Building)

4. This Asian-inspired courtyard in Washington DC with a beautiful water feature — lilies and lotuses fill the upper and lower pools. Irises fill in behind the water channel. Ipe planter boxes are set on a stucco retaining wall with vines cascade down. The planter boxes are composed of 16″ H and 36″ L prefab plastic troughs that are clad with Ipe. (via Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture)

5. A backyard in Greenwich Village, New York was completely transformed, including the addition of built-in planting beds, salvaged bluestone pavers, green screen trellis and an abundance of charm. Reclaimed barn doors creates a unique focal point on the wall. A custom fabricated, two-tier planting system enables vines to fill this courtyard garden. (via Jeffrey Erb Landscape Design)

6. A small courtyard garden in London features a lovely country garden brimming with lush plantings. A mismatched bistro table and chairs provides a colorful accent to this outdoor oasis. (via House & Garden)

7. This Mediterranean style courtyard patio features a pergola for shading. Dining al fresco offers an intimate feel thanks to an outdoor fireplace. On the floor, the decorative concrete tiles are 8 x 8 and were imported from Spain. The built-in kitchen countertop is composed of cast cement with a red dye. (via Interior Archaeology)

8. A fabulous townhouse courtyard in London features a mix of clean lines and natural textures. The beautiful garden surrounding the custom built-in bench was designed by Charles Harman. The outdoor dining table was designed by Neptune, while the cushions are a variety of fabrics sourced from Christopher Farr Cloth. (via Benjamin Edwards for House & Garden)

9. An inspiring Mediterranean style courtyard patio features a garden oasis in Pebble Beach, California. The sculpture is by Richard McDonald. (via Anthony Brancato Landscape Contractor)

10. A garden courtyard in Santa Fe, New Mexico provides shelter from the elements courtesy of a 14′ x 14′ square Shade Sail. The space is about 20′ w x 45′ L. The walls are El Rey stucco, color ochre (matched off a paint chip from Sherwin Williams called Sienna). The stone fountain is a custom design costing $1,200, however a similar version can be found at Stone Forest. On the ground is artificial grass called SYNLawn along with Flagstone. A succulent feature wall is 40″ x 40″. It’s made up of (4) 20″ x 20″ plant trays mounted on a board and framed. The plant trays are from Flora Grubb. The vine is English ivy. Lighting is from Rejuvenation. This project took four months to complete! (via Mark Design, llc)

11. In Atlanta, a Georgian home features a lovely and intimate English style courtyard garden. The potted evergreen plants are Boxwood, while the blue flowers are hydrangeas. The trees are Little Gem Magnolias in an espalier form. The stone walkway is antique “York Stone” imported from England. Beautiful benches were custom fabricated out of mahogany. Adding to the intimacy of this space, the walls are a slate colored brick imported from England. The pool dimensions is roughly 8’x6′. (via Howard Design Studio)

12. This cozy and compact courtyard is part of the London home of designer Helen Green. The space consists of simple yet elegant touches, which includes a trellis of roses climbing up the wall. In the center, a cast stone plinth bird bath. Beautiful blooms are potted in an array of vessels — wicker baskets, wooden crates and pewter milk pails.

13. A mediterranean style courtyard in Austin, Texas features an exquisite stone water feature as the centerpiece of this dreamy outdoor space. Lush gardens surround outdoor furnishings to create a tranquil oasis.(via Root Design Company)

14. An inspiring tuscan courtyard patio design in Denver, Colorado. The flooring is Colorado buff flagstone, surrounded by creeping thyme. (via Designscapes Colorado Inc.)

15. A modern bungalow in Venice Beach, California features this modern courtyard that provides shelter for convenient dining just off the kitchen. The fireplace adds warmth and ambiance, sourced from Spark Modern Fires. (via Sebastian Mariscal)

16. In Alys Beach, Florida is this refreshing Mediterranean courtyard featuring a “fruit salad tree” as its centerpiece. The tree has 5 different types of citrus fruits grafted together. The table is custom fabricated out of concrete, framing the tree in the center (grown in a nursery until it was the size pictured). The table base and the top are two separate pieces. (via Jean Allsopp)