— Ideas & inspiration

Rooftop garden

A rooftop garden is defined by a planted layer installed above the main roof structure, usually built over a waterproof membrane, drainage layer, root barrier, and lightweight growing medium. It typically uses paving, planters, timber or metal edging, gravel, and drought-tolerant planting to keep weight and maintenance in check. The composition reads as a mix of hardscape and vegetation, with visible irrigation and drainage details often integrated into the build.

rooftop garden

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Rooftop garden — Projectrooftop gardenReferences24

— References

References to explore

Ideas & inspiration

rustic rooftop garden — storage room (tropical) — storage room rooftop garden rustic tropical

art nouveau rooftop garden — workshop (desert) — workshop rooftop garden art nouveau desert

southwestern rooftop garden — small kitchen (coastal) — small kitchen rooftop garden southwestern coastal

neoclassical rooftop garden — music room (urban) — music room rooftop garden neoclassical urban

bauhaus rooftop garden — kitchen (urban) — kitchen rooftop garden bauhaus urban

bauhaus rooftop garden — living room (urban) — living room rooftop garden bauhaus urban

sustainable rooftop garden — bedroom (mountain) — bedroom rooftop garden sustainable mountain

renaissance rooftop garden — library (rural) — library rooftop garden renaissance rural

colonial rooftop garden — living room (alpine) — living room rooftop garden colonial alpine

colonial rooftop garden — atrium (forest) — atrium rooftop garden colonial forest

southwestern rooftop garden — sunroom (desert) — sunroom rooftop garden southwestern desert

colonial rooftop garden — staircase (rural) — staircase rooftop garden colonial rural

japandi rooftop garden — family room (urban) — family room rooftop garden japandi urban

futuristic rooftop garden — master bedroom (urban) — master bedroom rooftop garden futuristic urban

southwestern rooftop garden — wine cellar (desert) — wine cellar rooftop garden southwestern desert

art nouveau rooftop garden — attic (coastal) — attic rooftop garden art nouveau coastal

contemporary rooftop garden — patio (forest) — patio rooftop garden contemporary forest

bohemian rooftop garden — balcony (beach) — balcony rooftop garden bohemian beach

eclectic rooftop garden — nursery (ocean) — nursery rooftop garden eclectic ocean

japandi rooftop garden — terrace (urban) — terrace rooftop garden japandi urban

japandi rooftop garden — pergola (forest) — pergola rooftop garden japandi forest

colonial rooftop garden — terrace (rural) — terrace rooftop garden colonial rural

modern rooftop garden — workshop (mountain) — workshop rooftop garden modern mountain

rustic rooftop garden — bathroom (ocean) — bathroom rooftop garden rustic ocean

— The style

What defines it

Materials

Waterproofing membrane, root barrier, drainage board, lightweight soil, pavers, timber or metal planters, gravel, and selected planting.

Palette

Natural greens, weathered wood, stone gray, charcoal metal, and neutral concrete tones; often softened with seasonal color from foliage and flowers.

Combines with

Roof terraces, penthouses, outdoor kitchens, seating areas, and low-profile privacy screens or pergolas.

— Professionals

Who has already built it

vorbild architecturearchitects · 6 projectsView profile →
kerem erbagci3d renderers · London · 9 projectsView profile →
paquis norris group limitedbuilders · Reading · 3 projectsView profile →
LoftRobejoiners · Guildford · 4 projectsView profile →

See all professionals →Start a brief with this style →

— Explore

Keep exploring

— Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can any roof become a rooftop garden?

Not every roof can take one as-is. The structure needs to support the added weight of soil, plants, planters, and retained water, so a structural check is usually the first step.

What kind of plants work best?

Plants that tolerate wind, sun, and shallow soil tend to perform best, such as sedums, grasses, herbs, and hardy perennials. Deeper planters allow for shrubs and small trees if the structure supports them.

How much upkeep does a rooftop garden need?

Maintenance is usually moderate to high depending on the planting scheme and irrigation. Typical care includes watering, weeding, pruning, checking drainage, and replacing plants exposed to harsh rooftop conditions.