Most-Saved Photos: Your Fave Outdoor Spaces From Around the World
Spring is a great time to start planning next year's garden, so get some inspiration from 2022's most-loved photos
Now is the perfect time to think about what you’d like to see in your garden next year and how you want to use your outdoor space. Whether you’re planning some minor tweaks such as new plantings, or more major changes including a full garden redesign, be inspired by Houzz readers’ favourite alfresco projects from 2022.
This round-up looks at the garden and outdoor photos that were saved the most in each country by Houzz users, both within that country and around the world. The pool is limited to photos uploaded and saved from March 2022 to the start of September 2022. There are many reasons why readers may have saved a photo – some may be visually striking, others might highlight clever, inspiring ideas. Which ones appeal to you?
This round-up looks at the garden and outdoor photos that were saved the most in each country by Houzz users, both within that country and around the world. The pool is limited to photos uploaded and saved from March 2022 to the start of September 2022. There are many reasons why readers may have saved a photo – some may be visually striking, others might highlight clever, inspiring ideas. Which ones appeal to you?
New Zealand
This expansive home in Mahoenui 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 Mahoenui 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.
Japan
This garden in a house situated in a dense residential area in Tokyo was lacking in privacy and overgrown with weeds. Sanken Planet Co created a tiled terrace paired with a louvred fence, which offers air flow and preserves views to the newly-built garden next door, and preserves privacy without making the owners feel closed in.
With Covid-19 still keeping elderly people at home in Japan, the owner and her elderly mother now spend many hours on the terrace. They tell us they feel lucky to have such a cosy outdoor living area.
Does your outdoor area need some TLC? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
This garden in a house situated in a dense residential area in Tokyo was lacking in privacy and overgrown with weeds. Sanken Planet Co created a tiled terrace paired with a louvred fence, which offers air flow and preserves views to the newly-built garden next door, and preserves privacy without making the owners feel closed in.
With Covid-19 still keeping elderly people at home in Japan, the owner and her elderly mother now spend many hours on the terrace. They tell us they feel lucky to have such a cosy outdoor living area.
Does your outdoor area need some TLC? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
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 cannot be put in, as showers offer an alternative for freshening up during a heatwave.
Here, the timber enclosure and the decor also create 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 cannot be put in, as showers offer an alternative for freshening up during a heatwave.
Here, the timber enclosure and the decor also create a seaside feel that’s particularly enticing on hot days.
Spain
Landscape designer Jordi Sánchez of Simbiosi transformed what was once an ugly and neglected garden in Barcelona into an inspiring zigzag space with intriguing corners and spaces underscored in timber and concrete.
The owners asked for a garden that would be easy to maintain, so Sánchez selected a variety of grasses and succulent plants.
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 space with intriguing corners and spaces underscored in timber and concrete.
The owners asked for a garden that would be easy to maintain, so Sánchez selected a variety of grasses and succulent plants.
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.
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 joie de vivre. The large glass doors can all 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 timber deck with various well-lit areas on the floor above.
Browse more inspiring deck designs
With a net and a view over the Bavarian Fünf-Seen-Land (literally, ‘land of five lakes’) this veranda is really set up for joie de vivre. The large glass doors can all 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 timber deck with various well-lit areas on the floor above.
Browse more inspiring deck designs
Italy
“The general request of the homeowners, a family with three kids, for this flat was a pared-back and informal feel with special attention on natural materials and sustainability” says Roberta Zanetti, the architect of this space.
This is particularly visible on the terrace: the flooring is traditional sestini tiles, 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 an outdoor kitchen designed by the architect, with matt-black metal cabinet doors. Distressed-wood louvres and bamboo reeds overhead provide shade, even in high temperatures. 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 kids, for this flat was a pared-back and informal feel with special attention on natural materials and sustainability” says Roberta Zanetti, the architect of this space.
This is particularly visible on the terrace: the flooring is traditional sestini tiles, 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 an outdoor kitchen designed by the architect, with matt-black metal cabinet doors. Distressed-wood louvres and bamboo reeds overhead provide shade, even in high temperatures. Terracotta pots throughout the terrace contain different plants that will grow into a variety of shapes to add interest.
Ireland
This driveway and front garden by McKenna + Associates is a masterclass in restrained planting and elegant style. From the tightly-clipped hedging to the uniformly-spaced trees, everything about this formal 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 is a masterclass in restrained planting and elegant style. From the tightly-clipped hedging to the uniformly-spaced trees, everything about this formal 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.
United Kingdom
Garden designer Kate Eyre has taken an unusual approach with the layout of this standard-sized terrace garden. Playing with diagonal lines and carving up the outdoor area into different zones, she was able to pack the small space with interest and functionality.
With pockets of planting, integrated corner seating, a fire pit and even a space for a shed, this compact city garden packs a lot in while still feeling considered and calm.
Garden designer Kate Eyre has taken an unusual approach with the layout of this standard-sized terrace garden. Playing with diagonal lines and carving up the outdoor area into different zones, she was able to pack the small space with interest and functionality.
With pockets of planting, integrated corner seating, a fire pit and even a space for a shed, this compact city garden packs a lot in while still feeling considered and calm.
United States
The rustle of bamboo, the visual texture of a stone gabion-basket wall and the warmth of a fire pit are a few elements that engage the senses while relaxing on this lovely Seattle patio by Board & Vellum.
The stone gabion-basket wall around the seating area serves both as a retaining wall for the planter and a support for the bench. Bamboo adds privacy, and lush, layered plantings create a feeling of intimacy in the entertaining and relaxation space.
Your turn
Which of these 10 most-saved images is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want to see which other projects proved the most popular this year? Find out here with the Top-5 Most-Saved Kitchens, Bathrooms and Home Offices of 2021
The rustle of bamboo, the visual texture of a stone gabion-basket wall and the warmth of a fire pit are a few elements that engage the senses while relaxing on this lovely Seattle patio by Board & Vellum.
The stone gabion-basket wall around the seating area serves both as a retaining wall for the planter and a support for the bench. Bamboo adds privacy, and lush, layered plantings create a feeling of intimacy in the entertaining and relaxation space.
Your turn
Which of these 10 most-saved images is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want to see which other projects proved the most popular this year? Find out here with the Top-5 Most-Saved Kitchens, Bathrooms and Home Offices of 2021
Backyard cricket, anyone? Australians have a long tradition of large lawn gardens… all the better to invite neighbours over for a friendly catch up. This home in Perth, WA, by Refined Edge Homes, also features a large deck, outdoor kitchen for entertaining and a pool, making it the perfect representation of the great outdoors lifestyle.