Large or small, the garden is an extension of the house and as such ought to be considered as part of it and reflect its style. Volumes, shapes, proportions, colours, materials and general feel found in the house can all be emulated outside to provide that sense of oneness — an impression that the garden or courtyard is just another room.
If the interior is contemporary, sleek and stripped, the outside should be too: straight lines, flat surfaces, contemporary lighting, simplicity. If your interior is busy — loaded with decorative objects, souvenirs, books, colours and cushions — so should the garden be. All shapes of shrubs, flowers, pots, chairs and tables: make it as busy as the inside.
Getting into the details, match the flowers on your cushions or curtains with the real thing outside and have them in the same field of vision. Choose flowers in the same colour range as your décor.
Access needs to be as easy as walking into another room. Large windows and French doors add to the attraction of the outdoors. Organise your inside so the outside is right there, calling you. Ensure the patio or terrace is at the same level as the room floor — no step is better. Once the doors are open, moving outside should be seamless and effortless, and the terrace looks like a true extension of your house.