12 Great Ideas for Outdoors From Best of Houzz Award Winners
Parquet-style flooring, hammock-inspired nets and creative planting pockets: these outdoor spaces have us hooked!
Each year, we look through thousands of photos that talented design and building professionals have uploaded to Houzz to find the most popular images from around the world. The resulting gallery of Best of Houzz Design Award winners is a terrific source of inspiration. We’ve had a look and discovered some of the coolest ideas from around the world for your outdoor spaces.
2. Sculptural pizza oven with added extras
Rowlands Architecture Design Studio, Australia
This courtyard and backyard in a project designed by Rowlands Architecture Design Studio plays with the theme of connectivity: the timber pergola connects to the matching side building; and the paving appears to be fraying onto the lawn, while its pattern is repeated in the flooring on the inside of the building. The eye-catching wood-fire pizza oven structure also features plant boxes with fresh herbs to sprinkle directly onto freshly cooked pizzas.
Rowlands Architecture Design Studio, Australia
This courtyard and backyard in a project designed by Rowlands Architecture Design Studio plays with the theme of connectivity: the timber pergola connects to the matching side building; and the paving appears to be fraying onto the lawn, while its pattern is repeated in the flooring on the inside of the building. The eye-catching wood-fire pizza oven structure also features plant boxes with fresh herbs to sprinkle directly onto freshly cooked pizzas.
3. Veranda with a lounging net
Jacob&Spreng Architekten, Germany
Jacob&Spreng Architekten designed this veranda overlooking the Bavarian Fünfseenland (‘Land of Five Lakes’) to encourage a joie de vivre with a permanently installed hanging net for extra fun. And for a beautiful view of the sky, check out the well-placed atrium almost directly above it.
The large glass sliding doors can be opened to create a smooth transition between inside and outside, which beckons people to head outside and relax.
Is your outdoor area in need of a new look? Find local landscape architects and designers near you for innovative, custom ideas
Jacob&Spreng Architekten, Germany
Jacob&Spreng Architekten designed this veranda overlooking the Bavarian Fünfseenland (‘Land of Five Lakes’) to encourage a joie de vivre with a permanently installed hanging net for extra fun. And for a beautiful view of the sky, check out the well-placed atrium almost directly above it.
The large glass sliding doors can be opened to create a smooth transition between inside and outside, which beckons people to head outside and relax.
Is your outdoor area in need of a new look? Find local landscape architects and designers near you for innovative, custom ideas
4. A sunken terrace that lets the light in
Heider Pannen-Vulpi Architekten, Germany
The lower alfresco terrace level in this project by Heider Pannen-Vulpi Architekten gives the house a bright basement, in what’s normally a dim room.
It also significantly increases the usable living space while remaining within the local building height regulations. The large windows create a modern home that is warm and inviting, which facilitates a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Heider Pannen-Vulpi Architekten, Germany
The lower alfresco terrace level in this project by Heider Pannen-Vulpi Architekten gives the house a bright basement, in what’s normally a dim room.
It also significantly increases the usable living space while remaining within the local building height regulations. The large windows create a modern home that is warm and inviting, which facilitates a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
5. Romantic curtains complete a pergola
d’Aussy Interiors, Spain
Located near Spain’s Costa Brava, this patio by d’Aussy Interiors is nestled up against stone walls and has a steel pergola with a bamboo cane roof. Translucent white curtains catch every breeze, providing additional shade and a relaxed atmosphere.
d’Aussy Interiors, Spain
Located near Spain’s Costa Brava, this patio by d’Aussy Interiors is nestled up against stone walls and has a steel pergola with a bamboo cane roof. Translucent white curtains catch every breeze, providing additional shade and a relaxed atmosphere.
6. A folded-style garden path
Simbiosi, Spain
Landscape designer Jordi Sánchez of Simbiosi transformed a neglected courtyard into a low-maintenance garden, thanks to a variety of grasses and succulent plants. The garden path, which looks as if it has been casually folded, adds interest when journeying through this outdoor space.
Browse more beautiful garden paths
Simbiosi, Spain
Landscape designer Jordi Sánchez of Simbiosi transformed a neglected courtyard into a low-maintenance garden, thanks to a variety of grasses and succulent plants. The garden path, which looks as if it has been casually folded, adds interest when journeying through this outdoor space.
Browse more beautiful garden paths
7. Parquet-style outdoor paving
Carola Vannini Architecture, Italy
All the rooms in this apartment in the historical centre of Rome look out onto this spacious terrace. Previously neglected, one of the aims of the renovation, led by Carola Vannini, was to open up the interior to the great outdoors.
Now, both inside the apartment and on the terrace, warm colours enhanced by black details match the bespoke furniture. Combined with the timber-effect stoneware paving in a classic chevron pattern, this creates a fluid transition between inside and out.
Carola Vannini Architecture, Italy
All the rooms in this apartment in the historical centre of Rome look out onto this spacious terrace. Previously neglected, one of the aims of the renovation, led by Carola Vannini, was to open up the interior to the great outdoors.
Now, both inside the apartment and on the terrace, warm colours enhanced by black details match the bespoke furniture. Combined with the timber-effect stoneware paving in a classic chevron pattern, this creates a fluid transition between inside and out.
8. A raised terrace makes a pool possible
La Nostra, Secrets d’Intérieur, France
In this garden, the extensive roots of the magnolia tree and the shallow rocky ground prevented the owner from installing a traditional sunken swimming pool in this 13 x 12-metre high-walled courtyard.
However, with the help of landscape professionals, the owner, interior designer Laure Arancio of La Nostra Secrets d’intérieur, found the solution in an elevated timber terrace, which allowed for a 140-centimetre-deep pool. All the pool equipment is hidden beneath the terrace, which creates a relaxing spot to lounge on.
La Nostra, Secrets d’Intérieur, France
In this garden, the extensive roots of the magnolia tree and the shallow rocky ground prevented the owner from installing a traditional sunken swimming pool in this 13 x 12-metre high-walled courtyard.
However, with the help of landscape professionals, the owner, interior designer Laure Arancio of La Nostra Secrets d’intérieur, found the solution in an elevated timber terrace, which allowed for a 140-centimetre-deep pool. All the pool equipment is hidden beneath the terrace, which creates a relaxing spot to lounge on.
9. From open deck to private pergola
Maéma Architectes, France
Sometimes, a deck feels too open and exposed. By planting large shrubs in containers around the edges and adding a charming wooden pergola, a wide open rooftop terrace was turned into a private ‘Neverland’ in this project by Maéma Architectes.
Maéma Architectes, France
Sometimes, a deck feels too open and exposed. By planting large shrubs in containers around the edges and adding a charming wooden pergola, a wide open rooftop terrace was turned into a private ‘Neverland’ in this project by Maéma Architectes.
10. Pockets of planting instead of a lawn
Belsize Gardens, UK
The organically shaped beds and flowing paths here offer a lovely journey through this peaceful haven designed by Miles Raybould of Belsize Gardens. The lack of a traditional lawn has made it possible to add a variety of plants, as well as spaces for movement in the relatively compact (11 x 11-metre) plot. The individual garden beds also make it easier to access the plants.
Belsize Gardens, UK
The organically shaped beds and flowing paths here offer a lovely journey through this peaceful haven designed by Miles Raybould of Belsize Gardens. The lack of a traditional lawn has made it possible to add a variety of plants, as well as spaces for movement in the relatively compact (11 x 11-metre) plot. The individual garden beds also make it easier to access the plants.
11. Mini Hot Tub instead of a pool
Oslo I LA, USA
A plunge pool or hot tub can be less expensive than a full-size swimming pool and easier to maintain. They also add a soothing spa experience to your outdoor space.
Here, Oslo I LA maximised this relatively small backyard in California with a cedar deck and built-in hot tub. Perimeter planters contain hedges that will grow to provide privacy and further soften the landscape.
Oslo I LA, USA
A plunge pool or hot tub can be less expensive than a full-size swimming pool and easier to maintain. They also add a soothing spa experience to your outdoor space.
Here, Oslo I LA maximised this relatively small backyard in California with a cedar deck and built-in hot tub. Perimeter planters contain hedges that will grow to provide privacy and further soften the landscape.
12. Artful composition with huge impact
Hankura Design, Japan
This small courtyard in a home by Hankura Design is proof that a vast amount of space is not always necessary to create a true oasis. Although completely enclosed, it evokes a sense of freedom and peace.
Its delicate composition with a running water feature, moss-covered stones and an artful play of light and shadow makes it feel akin to an urban forest. Wide opening doors provide a seamless transition from the interior to the terrace and out to the garden, all of which are on the same level for easy access.
Your turn
Which of these 12 inspired ideas could revive your outdoor space? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with the amazing winning projects from the Best of Houzz Awards? Catch all the action here with the Best of Houzz Awards Revealed! Top-Rated Pros & Winning Projects
Hankura Design, Japan
This small courtyard in a home by Hankura Design is proof that a vast amount of space is not always necessary to create a true oasis. Although completely enclosed, it evokes a sense of freedom and peace.
Its delicate composition with a running water feature, moss-covered stones and an artful play of light and shadow makes it feel akin to an urban forest. Wide opening doors provide a seamless transition from the interior to the terrace and out to the garden, all of which are on the same level for easy access.
Your turn
Which of these 12 inspired ideas could revive your outdoor space? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with the amazing winning projects from the Best of Houzz Awards? Catch all the action here with the Best of Houzz Awards Revealed! Top-Rated Pros & Winning Projects
Xanthe White Design, NZ
In this home, the facade’s colour palette echoes the greens and whites found in the narrow side garden, designed by landscaper Xanthe White Design.
The normally challenging, long stretched garden zone benefits from lush planting and oversize stepping stones that create a sense of spaciousness. The full garden design is also considered a rain chain, with water from the roof nourishing the garden’s layers of sand, pebbles, and mulch.