A Sai Kung village house garden, furnished for year-round use

Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay village houses come with something rare in Hong Kong: private ground-level outdoor space. The climate makes it usable for most of the year — with the right specification.

Coastal air first

Within a few hundred metres of the sea, salt is the deciding factor. Marine-grade aluminium frames, A4 stainless fixings and FSC teak all cope; mild steel and ordinary hardware will not last two years.

Build a shaded outdoor dining table

The centre of a village-house garden is a table for eight under shade. In teak or aluminium with a slatted top, it can stay out permanently and needs no cover.

Separate the lounging zone

A low modular sofa set placed away from the dining table, on a paved or decked pad, gives the garden two distinct rooms rather than one large one.

Store the cushions where they are used

A ventilated cushion cabinet built to match the seating, sited beside it, is what determines whether cushions are actually brought out.

Plan for the roof terrace too

Most village houses have a roof as well as a garden. Specifying both at once means one design language, one delivery and one installation visit — and usually a better price than commissioning them separately.