21 Roof Gardens That Are Heaven on Earth
Divert your mind from chaos and towards serenity as we bring you 20 inspiring terrace gardens from the world over
Have a roof garden, but it just doesn’t look like you want it to look? These images and essential tips can provide you all the motivation and inspiration to design the rooftop of your dreams.
2. Firm: Xanadu Organic Gardens
Location: India
Compact, green and welcoming – this garden pairs a green lawn with a wooden floor bordered with pebbles and peppered with wooden seating, creating an atmosphere of laid-back luxury.
Tip: Wondering if you should install artificial turf on your rooftop garden? Given its durability, faux turf can be a real problem-solver in high-traffic areas like balcony or rooftops, as it doesn’t require water, fertiliser or mowing to look good.
Get inspired by more roof garden ideas
Location: India
Compact, green and welcoming – this garden pairs a green lawn with a wooden floor bordered with pebbles and peppered with wooden seating, creating an atmosphere of laid-back luxury.
Tip: Wondering if you should install artificial turf on your rooftop garden? Given its durability, faux turf can be a real problem-solver in high-traffic areas like balcony or rooftops, as it doesn’t require water, fertiliser or mowing to look good.
Get inspired by more roof garden ideas
4. Firm: Thomas Shafer Architects LLC
Location: United States
Rows of raised beds filled with culinary herbs, corn, tomatoes, sunflowers and vegetables turn this roof garden into a productive farm.
Note: Ensure that the terrace has constant access to water – whether from a hose, tap or a watering can. Rooftops should have a proper drainage system too so that the water can drain away easily.
Want to have your own kitchen garden?
Location: United States
Rows of raised beds filled with culinary herbs, corn, tomatoes, sunflowers and vegetables turn this roof garden into a productive farm.
Note: Ensure that the terrace has constant access to water – whether from a hose, tap or a watering can. Rooftops should have a proper drainage system too so that the water can drain away easily.
Want to have your own kitchen garden?
5. Firm: Frits de Vries Architect Ltd.
Location: Canada
In terrace garden designs like this one, where there is a dense patch of flowers and plants, it’s a good idea to have gravel around the green to demarcate the area.
See how pebbles make for decorative additions to a space
Location: Canada
In terrace garden designs like this one, where there is a dense patch of flowers and plants, it’s a good idea to have gravel around the green to demarcate the area.
See how pebbles make for decorative additions to a space
6. Firm: Paal Grant Designs In Landscaping
Location: Australia
This terrace is a secluded garden retreat with the lush planters, semi-circular seating and the tall gazebo that creates a cosy covering, with the climbers and tall back wall partially blocking the sight of nearby buildings.
Location: Australia
This terrace is a secluded garden retreat with the lush planters, semi-circular seating and the tall gazebo that creates a cosy covering, with the climbers and tall back wall partially blocking the sight of nearby buildings.
7. Firm: Vacation Veranda
Location: Japan
A cool spacious garden with a large water feature, sculptures and plants – just the spot to retire to on hot summer days.
See these water features for indoor and outdoor spaces
Location: Japan
A cool spacious garden with a large water feature, sculptures and plants – just the spot to retire to on hot summer days.
See these water features for indoor and outdoor spaces
8. Firm: Studio Yamini
Location: India
This roof garden conjures up a sophisticated, luxurious vibe, thanks to the sleek bar area, waterfall and the well-manicured grass. A great spot to have a big party.
Location: India
This roof garden conjures up a sophisticated, luxurious vibe, thanks to the sleek bar area, waterfall and the well-manicured grass. A great spot to have a big party.
9. Firm: Anagram Architects
Location: India
The clean-lined, minimal seating and the jali boundary wall add a dainty touch to this roof garden.
Location: India
The clean-lined, minimal seating and the jali boundary wall add a dainty touch to this roof garden.
10. Firm: 一級建築士事務所 group-scoop
Location: Japan
A roof garden design like this is effective in places that can get extremely warm. A living-green-covered roof like this insulates the home, keeping it cool.
Tip: If you are looking at ideas to cool down your home, other than a green roof, a light-coloured or white roof of any material can help bring down the temperature. Neutral colours reflect the sun’s rays away from the roof, keeping the interiors cool.
Location: Japan
A roof garden design like this is effective in places that can get extremely warm. A living-green-covered roof like this insulates the home, keeping it cool.
Tip: If you are looking at ideas to cool down your home, other than a green roof, a light-coloured or white roof of any material can help bring down the temperature. Neutral colours reflect the sun’s rays away from the roof, keeping the interiors cool.
11. Firm: Diego Bortolato Architetto
Location: Italy
Climbers and vines are not only decorative, they can also add texture, soften edges and conceal unsightly walls. In this terrace garden design, the pretty pink cover on the walls gives the space a whimsical look. The wooden flooring, plant boxes and furniture balance the vibrant hues of nature and also add warmth to the setting.
Tip: Instead of letting them grow haphazardly, vines can be tied and trimmed to grow in pre-designed, meticulous shapes and patterns around a wire or over a mesh.
Location: Italy
Climbers and vines are not only decorative, they can also add texture, soften edges and conceal unsightly walls. In this terrace garden design, the pretty pink cover on the walls gives the space a whimsical look. The wooden flooring, plant boxes and furniture balance the vibrant hues of nature and also add warmth to the setting.
Tip: Instead of letting them grow haphazardly, vines can be tied and trimmed to grow in pre-designed, meticulous shapes and patterns around a wire or over a mesh.
12. Firm: Atelier FB
Location: France
Casual seating, stunning panoramic views and plenty of well-maintained trees and shrubs create a serene and harmonious retreat here.
Take a look at these outdoor seating arrangements
Location: France
Casual seating, stunning panoramic views and plenty of well-maintained trees and shrubs create a serene and harmonious retreat here.
Take a look at these outdoor seating arrangements
13. Firm: Paal Grant Designs In Landscaping
Location: Australia
By adding curves to the scape, the feeling of being in a hard-edged terrace gets dialled down and replaced by the sense of walking in a terraced garden.
Location: Australia
By adding curves to the scape, the feeling of being in a hard-edged terrace gets dialled down and replaced by the sense of walking in a terraced garden.
14. Firm: Studio Wood
Location: India
This barsati (rooftop flat) on the terrace of a Delhi home makes good use of the open area. The lush green faux grass cover in the centre makes for a pleasant spot to spend an evening.
Take a tour of this New Delhi home
Location: India
This barsati (rooftop flat) on the terrace of a Delhi home makes good use of the open area. The lush green faux grass cover in the centre makes for a pleasant spot to spend an evening.
Take a tour of this New Delhi home
16. Firm: Little Miracles Designs
Location: Canada
Modern, neat and accessible – this rooftop has a well-balanced design, with a large grass patch, plenty of seating and enough deck area to walk around.
Location: Canada
Modern, neat and accessible – this rooftop has a well-balanced design, with a large grass patch, plenty of seating and enough deck area to walk around.
17. Firm: Riviera Gardens
Location: Monaco
This rooftop combines casual seating with formal dining, thanks to the long table, chairs and the raised platform. The bushy plants along the platform not only add greenery but also a decorative touch to the scape.
Location: Monaco
This rooftop combines casual seating with formal dining, thanks to the long table, chairs and the raised platform. The bushy plants along the platform not only add greenery but also a decorative touch to the scape.
18. Firm: Aralia: Innovation in Landscape Design
Location: United Kingdom
Doesn’t this space have a hotel-like vibe? The smart lighting pieces and outward-facing swing-style seating create a stylish high-end look.
Location: United Kingdom
Doesn’t this space have a hotel-like vibe? The smart lighting pieces and outward-facing swing-style seating create a stylish high-end look.
19. Firm: Harold Leidner Landscape Architects
Location: United States
This jazzed-up roof garden design with loungers, recessed lighting and plenty of seats isn’t just made for enjoying leisurely sips of wine; it’s designed for its owner to throw the best parties of the year.
Tip: Consider wall and floor sconces, handi lamps and even pendants to lit up the terrace.
Check out these ideas for a terrace makeover
Location: United States
This jazzed-up roof garden design with loungers, recessed lighting and plenty of seats isn’t just made for enjoying leisurely sips of wine; it’s designed for its owner to throw the best parties of the year.
Tip: Consider wall and floor sconces, handi lamps and even pendants to lit up the terrace.
Check out these ideas for a terrace makeover
20. Firm: yardscapes Inc.
Location: United States
Cosy and warm – this roof garden with greenery on the perimeter, a metal and limestone table and relaxing chairs makes for a comfortable outdoor perch.
Tip: Resin rattan is a good solution for outdoor furniture in a hot tropical country like India. Unlike metal, resin rattan doesn’t get scorching hot if the furniture is left under direct sun.
Location: United States
Cosy and warm – this roof garden with greenery on the perimeter, a metal and limestone table and relaxing chairs makes for a comfortable outdoor perch.
Tip: Resin rattan is a good solution for outdoor furniture in a hot tropical country like India. Unlike metal, resin rattan doesn’t get scorching hot if the furniture is left under direct sun.
21. Firm: Studio d’Architecture Nadege Guido
Location: France
This pleasant terrace garden with a few plants, laid-back seating and a pink-and-orange colour palette is the epitome of casual chic.
Read more:
7 Expert Tips for a Lush, Green Terrace Garden
Tell us:
Do you have a roof garden? Tell us how you’ve designed it in Comments below.
Location: France
This pleasant terrace garden with a few plants, laid-back seating and a pink-and-orange colour palette is the epitome of casual chic.
Read more:
7 Expert Tips for a Lush, Green Terrace Garden
Tell us:
Do you have a roof garden? Tell us how you’ve designed it in Comments below.
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Location: Canada
A built-in bench in this gazebo offers cosy seating for this roof garden, while keeping views open to the blue skies around. The short, lush green cover here makes for a dream space for those who like to socialise in style.