Outdoor Living

New Zealanders are all about indoor-outdoor living and G.J. Gardner's designs celebrate that – these great spaces are welcoming even in cooler weather

Forget in-ground and inflatable spas with their hidden, costly negatives – here, Hot Spring Spas shares six key benefits of quality portable spa pools

Here, landscaping was required to enhance and complement the new pool and down play the backyard fencing – the lush tropical, resort style look results in hard elements appearing to rise out of the plantings

Your backyard pool is an oasis of fun – Covers 4 Pools NZ has several options to keep it warm and safe – here we focus on two favourites

Two major plusses of the right pool cover are trapping heat for energy savings and locking in water safety – here experts Covers 4 Pools NZ outlines two of the company's most popular products

Paths aren't just a way around the garden without getting you shoes or feet dirty – they can lead your direction, inform the house or garden architecture and add texture – along with colour and form

The pool may be the eye candy and place of fun in this design – however, a generous surrounding space not only makes the pool look even grander but it also provides plenty of room to play

This house sits modestly within the landscape with a natural materials palette of wood, concrete, and glass elements – retaining existing native trees was another key assimilating aspect

Don't just look out on unused lawn space – erect a deck! Here are some examples of how a not-so-humble outdoor platform can add character as well as broad functionality to your home

Glass fencing provides swimming pool safety and contributes to a sense of greater space for this landscaping project – avoiding blocking views of the pool and the garden beyond

The cost of a spa is only half the picture – what does it cost to run? Here, HotSpring provides an experienced word up on what to look for and what to avoid

For this project, Luijten Landscaping achieved improved connections, an expanded deck with seating area, barbecue and morning coffee spot, lush plantings and a pool to really swim in

This immersive outdoor living design creates gentle connections from garden to climbing frame to the site’s stunning environmental surrounds

Simple and low maintenance, this garden underpins and celebrates all the sculptures on this property, including the architectural house itself

Here, plants in the planters include purple Aeonium Schwarzkopf and green Ceanothus Diamond eights at rear while to the right is a fan aloe underplanted with black mondo grass

A pool and connected spa radiate brilliant blues while a change in mosaic tile creates a subtle, pleasing difference

This water-hued shower stall, part of a comprehensive pool house design, opens right up to the great outdoors

For this outdoor living project, Kwila stairs feature concealed lighting – both for looks and for safety

Bluestone pavers are a feature of this backyard escape – they also make for a loose connection with the home's red brick cladding

For this project, colourful planting was used to soften hardscaping and to tie in with the vibrancy of the surrounding countryside 

Yup, crazy paving is back, albeit in a more sophisticated look – as this modern Bullen Sandstone Crazy Paving, from Eco Outdoor, attests

Here, a new ipe deck with planter-bench seating steps down to a flagstone patio from where a pathway meanders through mature trees to a play area

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best – here, a flowerbed within an expansive landscape is delineated, naturally, by river stones

Various areas were covered in this landscaping project – not least the lush central courtyard which is on show to most areas of the home

This recessed pool house entry lock has got it going on – a great example of why whoever said 'it's all in the detailing' got it exactly right

The decking, pool and changing space in this landscape project takes the home to the next level – the owners wanted an LA vibe and this design delivered

Well, at the very least, your views of your pool could go on forever – spied from the accompanying pavilion, this pool's infinity edge merges with the ocean

It's not just the water's soft tone (white pebbles in a clear glass pool interior) that evokes a beachscape, there's the naturalistic 'shoreline' too

With dense scrub cleared and fountain, firepit and small lawn added – plus pool revamped – this landscaping project aligns with the home it connects to

Only a small passing cloud breaks up the inviting blue of this pool and spa – the result of a vibrant blue tile-lined pool interior

Pools are usually reserved for the backyard but here the watering hole is pushed up front, separated from the entry by a fence

Just because your older, much-loved pool isn't cutting edge doesn't mean it can't deliver up-to-the minute functionality – Covers 4 Pools offers two styles ideal for retrofitting 

Family fun, architectural extension, exercise resource, thing of beauty – there are many reasons to get a pool; here are some great watering holes to inspire

It's not just plantings that bring landscape harmony – here, off-form concrete elements provide continuity and connection through the garden

Sure, green walls look amazing but there's more to recommend them, too – as Mark Paul, founder of nature-based solutions company Greenwall, outlines here

This townhouse landscape design creates outdoor spaces that extend the home's interior and are useable for most of the year

A poured concrete surround forms this pool terrace – the tone of the concrete selected to tie in with the pool's granite coping tiles

Layers of greenery and a natural material palette feature in this landscape design that melds homage to the home's origins with a more contemporary air

Au contraire – this outdoor setting benefits from a nearly 13m-long pool with infinity edge – just 1692 laps and you're across Cook Strait

For this pool house, paired wings stretch out into a covered courtyard while paired baton roofs further extend their reach

Maintained sight corridors, architectural empathy with the house, natural accents and the inclusion of cooking, dining and lounge spaces all helped shape this river-view pavilion

On full display from the home, this garden with grass mounds and pergola inspires intrigue and adventure – lawn bowls might be out though

Nothing makes a thing stand out more than something different next to it –  these brilliant blue pool mosaics make the garden look all the more verdant

Poolside lounging is no longer limited to a towel or a lilo – this splash-proof setting would be equally at home indoors in the living room

A drone's eye view shows just how symmetrical and appealing this entertainment pit is – part of a grand pool in keeping with its lodge setting

There's more to landscaping than grass and flowers – here, an appealing statue adds to the craft imbued vibe of the accompanying home

White outdoor kitchen, glowing red al fresco fire coals and sparkling blue swimming pool – this outdoor space waves a flag to relaxation

While the cladding on this home catches the eye, the transparent pool balustrading does not – keeping views from the living areas to the pool and garden unobstructed

Here, sliders pull back to put you right among the bamboo leaves – even with the doors closed, the panda's favourite meal item makes for a verdant display

High-performing and easy-care – here are three ‘out of fashion’ garden plants that deserve a comeback based on good looks alone

An intelligent response to a tricky site creates an L-shaped, glass-walled pavilion home with a sheltered courtyard at its heart 

Part of a Modernist landscaping project, this uncovered deck seems to disappear into the verdant surroundings courtesy of glass balustrading

This Hawke's Bay garden is inspired by the Spanish style 1950s home it accompanies and offers a restful retreat for the busy homeowners

Delineated by deck and framing, this al fresco space creates a relaxed under the skies dining venue without interfering with the lines of the home

If you can't get to Bali, bring Bali back home to you – for this garden, a Balinese water sculpture appeals to more than one of the senses

Just like summer bodies are made in the cooler months, so are summer gardens – now is the time to start planning your backyard pool, says Landart director Matt Leacy

Plantings bring a sense of nature and softness wherever they go – including mitigating the strong architectural lines on this home

This sculptural, clean-lined pergola mitigates the impact of the midday sun for in-pool lounging – and looks pretty spectacular doing it

This design utilises outdoor spaces for degrees of separation while formal plantings close to the home give way to more natural forms further away

A private bedroom deck with loungers looks out on the rear yard complete with infinity pool, generous timber decking and ravine views beyond

This serene white cabana continues the home's Grecian bleached white aesthetic – the tricky part was the precarious clifftop location

A sculptural al fresco kitchen and matching moveable dining table complement this spectacular Princes Wharf penthouse setting

No, not a parent admonishing a child, rather an al fresco kitchen with operable louvres designed to shrug off whatever mother nature throws at it

This all weather al fresco setting tones in with the hard landscaping and the verdant flora that softens the lines of the new swimming pool

This grand, contemporary outdoor design brings the scale and sweep to balance the renovated, now barn-like family home on the stately rural property 

A new home by Fowler Homes offers outdoor living heaven in part due to this covered al fresco space with modern in wall fire and skylights

For this landscape design, the underfoot patio decking is sandstone while the bar leaner and other seating is in a timber decking material

This pool's tilework ties with black accents on the home while the infinity edge seems to go on forever, requiring skilled craftsmanship to achieve

Fitted with a fireplace, kitchen and woodfire pizza oven, this outdoor living space is in use all year round, rather than just during summer 

Decks come in all shapes, materials and aesthetics – a deck is not an afterthought, it's the cheapest way to add floorspace while facilitating that all-important indoor-outdoor flow

No, heart of the home. This landscaped space bites into the floor plan of this family residence and as such brings a verdant vibe indoors

This contemporary plunge-pool-meets-spa-pool is built for relaxation in more ways than one – large tiled steps make for ideal in-pool seating

The brief was for a design that accentuated the family’s love of swimming and spending time together in their garden – scale and balance were key

Landscaping for this home was designed to nestle into the surroundings – even the furniture in this al fresco setting celebrates curvaceous lines 

With an underwater ledge for both safety and sitting, an infinity edge, and glass fencing, this pool area is both safe and scenic

Continuity in finishes contributes to the cohesion of this pleasing landscape renovation which also complements the home, new pool included

Part of a Miami-look pool/landscape design, this cabana's versatility is greatly expanded with an Escea outdoor gas fire set into one of its substantial columns

One foot in sunlight, the other in the shade – part of a wider landscaping project, this poolside outdoor dining space is ideally situated

A crisp landscape design and adroit species selection provides colourful contrast and interest while softening the strong lines of the contemporary seaside home

This family swimming pool achieves a relaxed, organic feel with substantial rocks helping delineate the diving area from the main pool area

Simple yet dramatic would be one way to describe this dynamic new family home and the poolside seating is more than in keeping

This outdoor space merges pool, pool safety, vibrant full sun plantings and year-round al fresco living in a design that flows into its rural surround

This outdoor living space with pool is organised in tiers – the varying landscaping layers creating interest and deftly negotiating the terrain

This spiritual garden fits within ancient Indian principles of architecture – traditional statuary standing side-by-side with a contemporary cabana and outdoor kitchen

This outdoor design covers 2ha and includes everything from a large lawn and pool to gardens, al fresco entertaining and a track for kid racers 

Just in case you are outside in dark of night, this home's deck edge lighting lets you know when you're straying onto the damp lawn

Between copper ceiling, louvres and shade sail, this outdoor setting complete with al fresco kitchen has its all-weather options covered 

Landscaping is so much more than just ‘doing the garden’ – in your new home, it’s a fundamental aspect of the architecture; here a prominent house designer/builder points the way

ConeHome pendants, by Laal, provide dining task lighting for this al fresco setting while natural light leaks on from all sides, skylight included

This pool has competition in terms of drawing the eye – the backyard watering hole is surrounded by sculptures in tune with the natural setting

The calmness, the colours, the elegant lines – we're not sure how the pool designers connected with the home's Grecian feel, but connect they did

This pool-side retreat takes facilities next level – guest bedroom, office, yoga room, wet bar, bathroom and sheltered outdoor living all feature

For this landscaping project, the rotting timber deck was replaced with Biowood composite decking for its durability, water & termite resistance

Bringer of natural light, privacy, outdoor living, optimal views and even an outdoor kingdom for your pet – here are some home courtyards to brighten up your life

This sumptuous garden celebrates the natural world at every turn of its curvaceous flower bed – taking its cue from the saying 'there are no straight lines in nature'

Reinvented by Poolco, this now smooth-surfaced pool – with an Aqua Bright Eco Finish – requires almost no upkeep and will last for decades

Infinity edges add drama and avoid blocking views for this expansive and highly contemporary backyard oasis in step with its adjacent home

This well-known saying is reflected in this organic-look garden design – the soft curves of the garden bed are also soft on the eye

This pool would give its house a run for its money in the luxury stakes – check out these gold-winning pools as judged by the NZ Swimming Pool Industry Association

With as much to do as there is to look at, this multi-faceted backyard pool project includes a swim lane, child's pool beach, a diving board and two spas

This understated pool, on sunny Waiheke island, responds to its idyllic setting – making the most of solar power and with glass fencing that doesn't impede the spectacular outlooks

The setting is perfect, the existing in-ground pool nestles into its sandy location – but the pool itself is tired – enter Pool Co for an award-winning make over

This Gold award-winning pool by Acacia Pools dovetails with other needs on the property while making the most of its rural outlooks

With the joy of having a family pool comes the all important responsibility to keep it safe – another area where NZ Pool Industry Association makes life easy

The New Zealand Pool Industry Association is a one stop shop when sourcing reliable contacts to address all aspects of your pool – from install to upkeep – but there's warmth as well as professionalism

This brand new home looks out on an existing, if upgraded, pool – the greenest building is one already built, and that goes for backyard oases, too

Pools take forever to build and cost the earth – wrong and wrong! A budget Cascade is built in a few short weeks at an achievable cost

So you’re introducing a backyard pool for fun and a healthy family lifestyle – with Cascade Pools, that means the water you swim and play in is healthy too

Not all pools are created equally. The makeup of a pool by Cascade Pools addresses heating costs head on – trapping the sun's rays and utilising this free heat source to warm your pool.

Why create seperate hard landscaping when your house can come to the party? Here a blade wall connects architecture and courtyard

This deck features a pebbled rooftop area complete with sculpture. The ‘garden’ evokes the natural world without needing watering or weeding

We all want a great looking garden for the family to enjoy over summer – but often pay no attention to the lawn until it's too late. Here are the five most common lawn problems you can face and and how to remedy them before they get out of hand

Specialist bamboo importer and distributor Plantation Bamboo offers high quality, sustainable bamboo products – including game-changing Bamboo X-treme Decking