Contemporary Outdoor Rooms for Entertaining

Outdoor rooms for entertaining! Water feature.

The open plan area at the rear of the property is undoubtedly the heart of the home. Here, an extension by Charlotte Heather Interiors has resulted in a very long room that encompasses the kitchen, dining and sitting areas. Natural light was a prerequisite for the clients so Charlotte cleverly incorporated roof lights along the space to maximise the light and diffuse it beautifully throughout the day. ‘Early in the morning, the light comes down into the kitchen area where the clients enjoy a coffee, then towards the afternoon the light extends towards the sitting area where they like to read,’ reveals Charlotte. Vast rear bi-folding doors contribute to the space being bathed in light and allow for impressive inside outside use. Entertaining is key to the kitchen and dining area. Warm whites and putty shades envelop the kitchen, which is punctuated by the deep blue of the decorative extractor fan and also the island designed specifically for guests to sit while the client cooks. Brass details sing out and link to the brassware in the master bathroom. Reinforcing the presence of exquisite craftsmanship, a Carl Hansen dining table and chairs in rich walnut injects warmth into the space. A bespoke Tollgard leaf artwork was specially commissioned for the space and brings together the dominant colours in the house. The relaxed sitting area is a perfect example of a space specifically designed to reflect the clients’ needs. The clients are avid readers and bespoke cabinetry houses their vast collection of books. The sofa in the clients’ favourite shade of teal and a dainty white boucle chair are perfect for curling up and reading, while also escalating the softness and femininity in the space. Beyond the bifold doors, the pergola extends the living space further and is designed to provide natural shading and privacy. The space is designed for stylish alfresco entertaining with its chic Carl Hansen furniture. Luxury sheepskins and an outdoor fireplace help combat inclement temperatures. The perfect finishing touch is the wisteria and jasmine that were specially selected to drape over the pergola because they remind the clients of home and also because they echo beautiful blossom.

Backyard gathering meadows

ecore habitat Studio

The backyard is proposed with a vintage feeling. Space is combining pathways, patio, fireplace, outdoor kitchen, swing, and colorful and different plant turfs. The backyard was converted into an ideal environment to hear the bird noises and rustling sounds of nature.

Balinese Paradise

Magic Garden Dreams

Balinese style water garden including a pond less waterfall and 18’ stream, crossed by a custom made wooden bridge and stone mosaic pathway. 12’ x 16’ Pergola custom built to enjoy the sound of the running water.

Belmont Modern

Avenue 39 Landscape Design

A fresh landscape and patio update to compliment this beautiful modern house.

Estate Landscaping with Privacy

Burkhart Outdoors, Inc.

Aluminium patio doors connecting inside and outside space

Absolute Project Management

The new Patio doors are moderns and smart, and beautifully connect the patio and living space. Many potted plants clustered add a layer of personality to the deck, and continue the flow of greenery into the living space. Photo by Helen Rayner

Garden Restoration

Wilber & King

Photography by Stacy Bass

Privacy from the street

Plan-it Earth Design

A long trellis with arbor provides privacy for the sunken path around the house. People walking on the sidewalk would be able to see right into the house without it. Large round boulders create a natural retaining wall around this corner property Design by Amy Whitworth Photo by Amy Whitworth

Living Privacy Wall

Plan-it Earth Design

A stepping stone path takes you from the main patio around the corner of the house to the sunny raised bed vegetable garden. Lots of interesting plants to see on the way. You hardly know you're in a dense urban neighborhood with all the privacy plants that soften the fenceline. Design by Amy Whitworth Installed by J Walter Landscape & Irrigation Photo by Janet Loughrey

Deer Grass Accents in Spring

FormLA Landscaping

In spring, Deer Grass continues to hold its own among the blooms, forming large mounds of true green.

Uptown Front Yard Landscape and Sod

Prados Landscapes LLC

New build garden - Olympic park Stratford

Melanie Hick Garden Design

This blank canvas space in a new build in London's Olympic park had a bespoke transformation without digging down into soil. The entire design sits on a suspended patio above a carpark and includes bespoke features like a pergola, seating, bug hotel, irrigated planters and green climbers. The garden is a haven for a young family who love to bring their natural finds back home after walks.

Plantings

Sage Landscape Contractors Inc

Detail of backyard patio and pool project featuring assorted landscape plantings

East Vancouver Front Garden Project

Take Root Gardens

A stained cedar fence with entrance path leading into the garden

1 Acre in Gilbert & A Complete Landscape Transformation - Lush Outdoor Living

Shearon Design Collective

1 Acre in Gilbert that needed a complete transformation from bad grass and desert plants to this lush dream home in prime Gilbert! Raised planters and hedges surrounding existing trees, new pavers, fire features - fireplace and fire pits, flower beds, new shrubs, trees, landscape lighting, sunken pool dining cabana, swim up bar, tennis court, soccer field, edible garden, iron trellis, private garden, and stunning paver entryways.

St. Anne's Road Garden

PLANT Architect Inc.

Three generations of one family live in a semi-detached house on an urban hillcrest that drops off sharply in their backyard. They wanted an enclosed, courtyard-like rear garden that would enable them to use as much of the slope as possible and provide some privacy on a tightly constrained site. Wood structures occupy significantly more area than the planting beds on this small, sloping lot. These structures perform multiple storage functions and create distinct areas – the dining area, the bridge to the shed, the stepped-down ‘secret garden’ at the rear with a Venus Dogwood tree and bench seating, and several planted areas. Vibrantly painted slats accent the natural-finish boards in the cedar fence, ensuring that there is colour in the garden year round. Between the side walkway and the rear entry a half-storey below, a balustrade with angled slats organizes the accent colours into a spectrum. From the interior of the house, the chromatic shift in the slats and the spaces between them create visual effects that change with the viewing point.

Contemporary Outdoor Rooms for Entertaining

Ravenscourt Landscaping and Design LLC

Entry and kitchen garden.

Countryside Escape

Hartman Companies, Inc.

La Sombra - Steel Vine Screen

Hush House

Detail of the steel vine screen, with dappled sunlight falling into the new entryway deck. The steel frame surrounds the juliet balcony lookout.

Garden Design Ideas with with Privacy Feature and with a Gate

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.