Your Favourite Gardens and Outdoor Spaces from Around the World
Autumn is a great time to start planning next year’s garden, so find some inspiration from this year’s most-saved photos
Houzz
13 November 2022
Considering a new garden scheme? Garden designer Roberto Silva says autumn is the best time to contact a landscape professional, because “the design can be done in the next couple of months, then built in winter and planted in spring … The weather and the seasonal aspects of the business have an effect, too. Some plants can only be planted in a certain season, or they’re not available to buy at certain times of the year.”
For inspiration, take a look at this roundup of the garden and outdoor photos that were most saved in each country by Houzz users, both within that country and around the world. The selection is limited to photos uploaded and saved from March to the start of September 2022, and are presented in alphabetical order. And remember: there are lots of reasons why users might have saved a photo; while some may be visually striking, others might highlight clever ideas that users found inspiring.
For inspiration, take a look at this roundup of the garden and outdoor photos that were most saved in each country by Houzz users, both within that country and around the world. The selection is limited to photos uploaded and saved from March to the start of September 2022, and are presented in alphabetical order. And remember: there are lots of reasons why users might have saved a photo; while some may be visually striking, others might highlight clever ideas that users found inspiring.
Australia
Back garden cricket anyone? Australians have a long tradition of large lawn gardens… all the better to invite neighbours over for a friendly game of cricket. This Perth home by Refined Edge Homes also features a large deck and outdoor kitchen for entertaining, as well as a pool, making it the perfect representation of the great outdoors lifestyle.
Read reviews of garden designers in your area on Houzz.
Back garden cricket anyone? Australians have a long tradition of large lawn gardens… all the better to invite neighbours over for a friendly game of cricket. This Perth home by Refined Edge Homes also features a large deck and outdoor kitchen for entertaining, as well as a pool, making it the perfect representation of the great outdoors lifestyle.
Read reviews of garden designers in your area on Houzz.
France
This external shower was created by Sarl AR Architecture in the garden of a house near Bordeaux. The region profits from a mostly mild climate, so this shower gets used frequently.
Generally, exterior showers are currently very popular in France. This is particularly true in properties where a pool can’t be put in, as showers offer an alternative for freshening up during a heatwave.
Here, the wood enclosure creates a seaside feel that’s particularly enticing on hot days.
This external shower was created by Sarl AR Architecture in the garden of a house near Bordeaux. The region profits from a mostly mild climate, so this shower gets used frequently.
Generally, exterior showers are currently very popular in France. This is particularly true in properties where a pool can’t be put in, as showers offer an alternative for freshening up during a heatwave.
Here, the wood enclosure creates a seaside feel that’s particularly enticing on hot days.
Germany
With a net and a view over the Bavarian Fünf-Seen-Land (literally, ‘land of five lakes’), this veranda is really set up for enjoying outdoor life. The large glass doors can be opened to smooth the transition between inside and out.
Jacob & Spreng Architekten placed another patio in the garden area, as well as a large wood balcony with various well-lit areas on the floor above.
With a net and a view over the Bavarian Fünf-Seen-Land (literally, ‘land of five lakes’), this veranda is really set up for enjoying outdoor life. The large glass doors can be opened to smooth the transition between inside and out.
Jacob & Spreng Architekten placed another patio in the garden area, as well as a large wood balcony with various well-lit areas on the floor above.
Ireland
This driveway and front garden by McKenna + Associates in Co Meath is a masterclass in restrained planting and elegant style. From the tightly clipped hedging to the uniformly spaced trees, everything about this garden is carefully considered. The quiet calm of an all-green colour palette pairs well with the pale grey gravel and edging stones for a restful scheme.
To create a similar effect in your own garden, you’ll need to be prepared to undertake regular maintenance to keep on top of those crisp lines and create such an effortless-looking finish.
This driveway and front garden by McKenna + Associates in Co Meath is a masterclass in restrained planting and elegant style. From the tightly clipped hedging to the uniformly spaced trees, everything about this garden is carefully considered. The quiet calm of an all-green colour palette pairs well with the pale grey gravel and edging stones for a restful scheme.
To create a similar effect in your own garden, you’ll need to be prepared to undertake regular maintenance to keep on top of those crisp lines and create such an effortless-looking finish.
Italy
“The general request of the homeowners – a family with three children – for this flat in Rome was a pared-back and informal feel, with special attention on natural materials and sustainability,” architect Roberta Zanetti says.
This is particularly visible on the terrace: the flooring is traditional sestini tile, comprising small terracotta tiles set in a herringbone pattern. The architect chose this particular flooring as a reference to the pavement in the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
The patio also includes a fitted masonry kitchen designed by the architect, with matt black metal cabinet doors. Distressed-wood louvres and bamboo reeds overhead provide cooling shade on even the hottest of days. Terracotta pots throughout the terrace contain different plants that will grow into a variety of shapes to add interest.
“The general request of the homeowners – a family with three children – for this flat in Rome was a pared-back and informal feel, with special attention on natural materials and sustainability,” architect Roberta Zanetti says.
This is particularly visible on the terrace: the flooring is traditional sestini tile, comprising small terracotta tiles set in a herringbone pattern. The architect chose this particular flooring as a reference to the pavement in the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
The patio also includes a fitted masonry kitchen designed by the architect, with matt black metal cabinet doors. Distressed-wood louvres and bamboo reeds overhead provide cooling shade on even the hottest of days. Terracotta pots throughout the terrace contain different plants that will grow into a variety of shapes to add interest.
Japan
This garden of a house in a dense residential area in Tokyo was lacking in privacy and overgrown with weeds. Sanken Planet created a tiled terrace paired with a louvred fence, which offers airflow and preserves views to the newly built stone and planted garden next door, and protects privacy without making the owners feel closed in.
With Covid-19 still resulting in elderly people staying at home more in Japan, the owner and her elderly mother now spend many hours on the terrace and say they feel lucky to have such a cosy outdoor living area.
This garden of a house in a dense residential area in Tokyo was lacking in privacy and overgrown with weeds. Sanken Planet created a tiled terrace paired with a louvred fence, which offers airflow and preserves views to the newly built stone and planted garden next door, and protects privacy without making the owners feel closed in.
With Covid-19 still resulting in elderly people staying at home more in Japan, the owner and her elderly mother now spend many hours on the terrace and say they feel lucky to have such a cosy outdoor living area.
New Zealand
This expansive home in Auckland includes a pool house with a gym, steam shower and sauna, guest accommodation and living space, and has an equally generous outdoor area, fit for swimming and in keeping with its rural setting.
Border plantings around the home built by Bindon Design Group help demarcate the two areas, one watery, the other with a perfect lawn.
This expansive home in Auckland includes a pool house with a gym, steam shower and sauna, guest accommodation and living space, and has an equally generous outdoor area, fit for swimming and in keeping with its rural setting.
Border plantings around the home built by Bindon Design Group help demarcate the two areas, one watery, the other with a perfect lawn.
Spain
Landscape designer Jordi Sánchez of Simbiosi transformed what was once an ugly and neglected garden in Barcelona into an inspiring zigzag retreat with intriguing corners and spaces underscored in wood and concrete. The owners asked for a garden that would be easy to maintain, so the professional selected a variety of grasses and succulents.
The owner says that what she likes most about her new garden is the feeling that it extends the home, and that it gives her an opportunity to enjoy the changing light throughout the day.
Landscape designer Jordi Sánchez of Simbiosi transformed what was once an ugly and neglected garden in Barcelona into an inspiring zigzag retreat with intriguing corners and spaces underscored in wood and concrete. The owners asked for a garden that would be easy to maintain, so the professional selected a variety of grasses and succulents.
The owner says that what she likes most about her new garden is the feeling that it extends the home, and that it gives her an opportunity to enjoy the changing light throughout the day.
United Kingdom
Garden designer Kate Eyre has taken an unusual approach with the layout of this standard-size terraced house garden in London. Playing with diagonal lines and carving up the area into different zones, she was able to pack the small space with interest and functionality.
With pockets of planting, integrated corner seating, a firepit and even a shed, this compact city garden packs a lot in while still feeling considered and calm.
More: Browse hundreds of photos of UK gardens
Garden designer Kate Eyre has taken an unusual approach with the layout of this standard-size terraced house garden in London. Playing with diagonal lines and carving up the area into different zones, she was able to pack the small space with interest and functionality.
With pockets of planting, integrated corner seating, a firepit and even a shed, this compact city garden packs a lot in while still feeling considered and calm.
More: Browse hundreds of photos of UK gardens
United States
The rustle of bamboo, the visual texture of a gabion wall and the warmth of a firepit are a few elements that engage the senses while relaxing on this lovely Seattle patio by Board & Vellum.
The gabion wall around the patio seating area serves both as a retaining wall for the planter and a support for the bench. Bamboo adds privacy, and lush, layered planting creates a feeling of intimacy in the entertaining and lounging space.
Tell us…
Which of these gardens caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The rustle of bamboo, the visual texture of a gabion wall and the warmth of a firepit are a few elements that engage the senses while relaxing on this lovely Seattle patio by Board & Vellum.
The gabion wall around the patio seating area serves both as a retaining wall for the planter and a support for the bench. Bamboo adds privacy, and lush, layered planting creates a feeling of intimacy in the entertaining and lounging space.
Tell us…
Which of these gardens caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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South Africa it's breath takingὊFὄC
Nice ideas.
I am always drawn to the Japanese designs. Understated and peaceful