Homes with Gardens|Introduction to Examples by Floor Plan & Room Type Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department
A garden is not just an external feature but a crucial element that influences the comfort and quality of a home. A south-facing garden guides winter sunlight indoors, while deciduous trees act as a natural sunshade in the summer.
The placement of plants and fences to block sightlines protects privacy while creating a moderate connection with the outside. For garden maintenance, selecting plants suited to the purpose and installing an automatic watering system are desirable, requiring a design that aligns with daily life.
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te to te — House in Ryugasaki
e do design architects3-7-7 Minatocho, Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan -
A living-dining room that gently encloses the courtyard. The living room is a single, high-ceilinged space, with subtle zoning created by floor-level changes and furniture that gently emphasizes the courtyard’s topography. The large opening to the north blocks the intense sunlight while allowing the beautiful greenery, illuminated by the light, to be enjoyed. A swimming pool and flowing pond were placed along the edge of the woodland at the rear, which forms the other side enclosing the courtyard, gently surrounding a lawn where the children can run and play.
Troom1-19-10-203 Seijo, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo -
A bathroom with views and a direct connection to the swimming pool. The densely wooded cliffside can be seen to the right of the photograph. From the infinity-edged large bathtub, the swimming pool and flowing pond were arranged as though forming a continuous sequence in which the water surface gradually steps down. The large bathhouse maintains visual separation from the living room enclosing the courtyard, while opening in an L-shape toward the untouched woodland and pool, offering the openness of a semi-outdoor bath. This opening can also be closed.
Troom1-19-10-203 Seijo, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Gardening and the Garden: Zoning the Garden According to Use. The Small Daily Changes and Joys Created by Gardening. Homes with Gardens |Stylish Gardens
By zoning the garden according to its use, it becomes a space that complements daily life. Clarify the purpose, such as a children's play area, a vegetable patch, or a flower bed, and consider sunlight and wind direction.
Plants should be placed with their future growth and root spread in mind, taking care to avoid overcrowding. To reduce the maintenance burden, using automatic watering systems and weed control fabric is recommended. It is important to plan the garden not just as scenery, but as a practical space that supports daily living.
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House in Higashi-Ikoma — Two-Family Residence with Three Gardens
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
House in Tokushima — Parent Household: A Two-Generation Residence Connected by a Through Doma
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
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Gardening and the LDK: The Pleasant Influence of Gardening on Family Time and Space. Homes with Gardens |Stylish Living-Dining-Kitchen Space
The garden plants visible from the LDK (living-dining-kitchen area) greatly affect the comfort of the living space. By thoughtfully designing the placement and size of windows and balancing the arrangement of seasonal trees and shrubs, a rich view is created from indoors.
Planting deciduous trees on the south side allows sunlight in during the winter and provides shade in the summer. The burden of insects and cleaning fallen leaves can be reduced by selecting appropriate tree species and flooring materials. A design that emphasizes the continuity between indoors and outdoors enhances the quality of life.
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The younger generation’s living-dining-kitchen area on the second floor. The weeping cherry tree can be seen across the balcony.
Archiplace502 Palm House Hatsudai, 1-20-2 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo -
The wife's workspace is on the right, and the transparent transom above creates a sense of spaciousness.
Archiplace502 Palm House Hatsudai, 1-20-2 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo -
Gardening and the Terrace: A Place Surrounded by Greenery that Lets in Light, Gently Connecting the House and Garden. Homes with Gardens |Stylish Terrace
A terrace strengthens the connection between the garden and the interior, serving as a place to incorporate the nature of the four seasons into daily life. Aligning its floor level with the interior creates a sense of unity and smooths movement.
Plants are arranged around the terrace, designed to create a visually enclosing effect. Installing a pergola or shade as a sun shield softens direct summer sunlight and allows for use on rainy days. Planning for watering and drainage systems during the design phase is essential for creating a comfortable terrace space.
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A Home Living with Plants
Tatsumi Negishi Architectural Studio532-5 Nakazawa, Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan -
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POCCO — Excellence Award, Residential Interior Coordination Contest
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
A 'Japanese and Scandinavian' Residence Arranged on a Diagonal
AITOHUS Co., Ltd.6-6-1 Otsukanishi, Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan -
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Gardening and Exterior: A Soft Exterior Design Woven from the Building and Its Plants. Homes with Gardens |Stylish Exteriors
The exterior of a house gains depth from the combination of building material textures and plantings. Vibrant greens and flower colors stand out against white exterior walls, while soft leaf tones harmonize with wood-based exteriors.
It is important to place plants in consideration of their future impact on sunlight and ventilation as they grow, coordinating with a pruning plan. By adjusting their height and density in stages, you can maintain a natural sense of openness while still blocking sightlines. Such a planting plan enriches the expression of the exterior and creates a home that blends into the streetscape.
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Multiple Living Spaces That Evoke a Sense of Family
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
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