The best ideas for a rooftop garden

According to experts, having plants on top of buildings is one way to combat air pollution. And there's more. In terms of sustainability and energy efficiency, green roofs can save up to 30% on building air conditioning.

The idea of installing a rooftop garden is not only attractive from a design point of view, but also a great decision to combat pollution and improve efficiency.

Countries like France or Denmark have been working for years on the proliferation of these spaces. But beyond what the rules dictate, creating a green area on your terrace can be really simple and here are some ideas to prove it.

For your project to be successful, the first thing to do is to analyze the possibilities of the space. It is not the same to have an open rooftop without any kind of protection, than to consider the landscaping of a roof with shaded areas or even the more or less generous terrace of a penthouse with views.

So that your rooftop garden lasts over time and remains in good condition, you must pay attention to certain basic aspects. The climatology of the place where you live is fundamental and not only from the point of view of rainfall. Wind or excessive sunshine can also wreak havoc on your plants.

Choose native species and those that are best suited to the conditions of your city. If necessary, create shaded areas or take advantage of covered areas to combine different types of plants and flowers to create a setting that is pure inspiration.

Stone pots, clay pots, planters... There are many systems that you can use to create your rooftop garden although factors such as space or plants can affect the choice.

The distribution of space is another consideration that you cannot overlook for a successful design. Original planters will help you give your green roof a unique character. However, to get the best results, play with different sizes, colors and even materials; add planters or dare to create flowerbeds if the surface allows it. The possibilities are endless!

Remember, however, that any element you incorporate will have water requirements that must be met either by traditional watering with a watering can or hose, or by a drip irrigation system.

A good alternative to make the most of your rooftop is to add a vertical garden. This type of solution allows you to take advantage of vertical space and you can combine them perfectly with planters and pots at ground level. Professional advice will be of great help if you decide on this type of garden, although you can always design a DIY option with recycled materials, pallets...

If you don't want to get too complicated but you don't want to give up having a rooftop garden either, installing artificial grass can be a feasible alternative. You will not benefit from the goodness of plants but, at least, aesthetically you will get results that evoke nature.

But if you are determined to make your rooftop garden a space with its own personality, you need to pay attention to the details. Good lighting will allow you to take advantage of this space day and night. In fact, with the right layout, it will also help you to enhance the presence of vegetation. Include lights in your plant compositions and get ready to make them shine with their own light!

Who said plants had to take center stage on your rooftop? Their presence can be an ideal complement to create a setting that awakens the senses. If space allows it, dividing your terrace and adding a seating area will be very inspiring, and you can even include a barbecue!