The biggest mistake when designing a house? Designing the interior and the garden separately
Today, gardens, patios, and balconies are an integral part of living spaces, and their design should be developed in tandem with the interior. Materials, colors, proportions, and views can come together to create a unified whole, allowing the living room to flow naturally outdoors. How do architects today approach the connection between the interior and the garden? We asked Eliška Paták, an exterior design specialist at Tempus Design.
A garden is no longer just an accessory to a house. It is another living space.
Have clients' requirements for the design of a house or apartment changed in recent years?
Very significantly. Just a few years ago, most clients were primarily concerned with interior design. Today, they increasingly want to design their entire home—from the living room to the garden or rooftop terrace.
Why is this important?
Because a garden, patio, or balcony is no longer just an afterthought for homeowners. It’s another living space they want to enjoy. It’s where they have their morning coffee, work on their laptops, enjoy family dinners, and meet with friends. When designed separately from the interior, the whole space never feels natural.
How to Integrate Interior and Garden Design
What does that mean in practice?
We work with a single architectural concept. The materials, colors, proportions, and views all flow seamlessly together. When the large-format glass walls open, you should feel as though the living room extends outward.
Connecting the interior and outdoor spaces works well for apartments, too
Does this apply only to houses and luxury properties? Or does a similar principle apply to ordinary apartments as well?
It should apply everywhere. In recent years, people living in all types of properties have wanted to enjoy their outdoor spaces, whether it’s a large garden, a luxurious rooftop terrace, or just a regular balcony. Just take a look at discussion groups on social media, where people post photos of how they’re decorating their balconies. They prefer a sense of comfort, the ability to grow plants that make their outdoor space cozier and bring that feeling of a garden into a traditional apartment and onto an ordinary balcony.
The Garden Series · Episode 16
How can you turn your patio into an extra living space that you can enjoy from spring through fall? Continue to Part 17 on patio design. You can find completed projects in the Gardens section.
Tempus Design Studio
Are you working on a design for a house, interior, or garden?
When designing, it is important to treat the interior and exterior as a single unit. Tempus Design specializes in interior and exterior design in Prague and throughout the Czech Republic. The initial consultation is non-binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should garden design be addressed in conjunction with interior design?
According to Eliška Paták, the interior and the garden should be part of a single architectural concept. Materials, colors, proportions, and views can all complement one another to create a natural extension of the living space outdoors.
Is the garden now part of the living space?
Yes. According to Eliška Paták, gardens, patios, and balconies are additional living spaces where people spend time enjoying their morning coffee, working on their laptops, having family dinners, or meeting with friends.
Does the connection between the interior and the garden apply to regular apartments as well?
Yes. According to Eliška Paták, the same principle can be applied to a large garden, a rooftop terrace, and even a standard balcony. People want to use their outdoor space to relax, grow plants, and create a garden-like atmosphere.
How can you create a seamless connection between your home and garden?
It is important to work with a single architectural concept and to harmonize materials, colors, proportions, and views. When the large-format glass walls are opened, the living room should feel as if it extends outdoors.