When indoors and outdoors become one

If summer remains the preferred season for enjoying outdoor spaces, a thoughtfully designed property allows this connection with the surrounding environment to be appreciated throughout the year. From the very first days of spring, terraces, patios, courtyards, and gardens become natural extensions of the living areas, while also encouraging an abundance of natural light to flow into the home.

In the world of luxury real estate, these features now play a central role. Far more than a simple asset, they contribute significantly to everyday comfort and quality of life. Their design is given careful consideration, both in terms of architecture and landscape planning.

“In the luxury segment, the objective goes far beyond simply having a terrace,” explains Shamon Shamonki, real estate advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage in Los Angeles. “Buyers are looking for a seamless connection between spaces. They want the indoor living experience to extend naturally outdoors, whether that means enjoying views over a lake, a landscaped garden, or an area designed for entertaining.”

This approach can be found in exceptional properties around the world, including along the shores of Lake Annecy. A villa with direct lake access via its private pontoon is a perfect example. Open to panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, it offers a living environment where the landscape naturally becomes part of everyday life.

Large openings allow natural light to flow generously through the reception rooms, while the terraces extend the living spaces outdoors. The ever-present views play an integral role in the residential experience, strengthening the connection between the home and its surroundings.

In Madrid, a four-story residence is organized around a leafy courtyard framed by mature trees and carefully maintained plantings. On the upper level, a spacious terrace sheltered by a vine-covered pergola creates a peaceful and private retreat.

According to Shamonki, this evolution reflects a lasting shift in buyer expectations: “Since the pandemic, outdoor spaces have become an essential part of the home. When thoughtfully integrated, they add another dimension to a property and enhance its overall appeal.”

Designing outdoor spaces that remain enjoyable throughout the seasons begins with selecting the right site and fostering collaboration between architects and landscape designers from the earliest stages of a project.

“In spring and early summer, a property's orientation and the way it captures sunlight and prevailing winds are key considerations,” explains Michael McGowan, Associate Principal and Landscape Architect at KAA Design Group in Los Angeles. “The goal is to maximize natural light during the most pleasant times of the day while minimizing exposure to harsher conditions.”

Pergolas, lightweight structures, and deciduous plantings can help create shaded areas while preserving a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

The choice of materials also plays an important role in ensuring these spaces stand the test of time. Wood, linen, leather, and patinated metals age gracefully and help establish a seamless visual continuity between indoor and outdoor environments, notes Grant Kirkpatrick, Founder of KAA Design.

The organization of space also plays an important role. The most successful layouts are often those that directly connect indoor areas with their outdoor counterparts: a kitchen extending onto a dining terrace, or a living room that naturally opens onto an outdoor lounge area.

Patios and courtyards can also encourage interaction and conviviality, particularly when positioned between the home's entertaining spaces and its more private areas.

This philosophy notably guided architects Caireen O’Hagan and Base Associates in the transformation of a former aircraft factory in London into a luxurious seven-bedroom residence. The design is centered around a spacious outdoor terrace, directly connected to the kitchen and principal living areas through large, step-free sliding glass doors.

To reinforce this sense of continuity, architects often align floor levels, minimize visual interruptions, and extend the same material palette from the interior to the exterior.

In a 19th-century residence in Sausalito, California, a large covered veranda extends the kitchen and dining area while offering sweeping views over San Francisco Bay. The bedrooms also benefit from outdoor spaces oriented toward the water.

For Grant Kirkpatrick, the most successful projects are those in which the home appears to belong naturally to its surroundings, as though it had always been part of the landscape that envelops it.