Meet the 2022 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards Nominees

From waterside retreats to curb appeal the 2022 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards feature incredible landscape and architectural designs from across the country that are sure to blow your socks off. Scroll through these stunning images from gorgeous outdoor spaces to see all the amazing work featured this year.

February 10, 2022

From: HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards

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Photo By: Tamara Alvarez, Contractor: Curry Dixon Construction, Landscape Contractor: Gauthier Tree & Landscape

Photo By: Jon Huelskamp, Landmark Photo Design

Photo By: Stephen Govel Photography

Photo By: Tamara Alvarez, Landscape Contractors: Just Keys Trees, Pool & Spa Designers and Builders: KW Pro Pools

Photo By: Marrion Brenner

Photo By: Rosemary Fletcher Photography

Photo By: Brett Hilton

Photo By: John McCarthy

Photo By: Arborway Studio

Photo By: Christopher Stark

Photo By: Kern & Co.

Photo By: Lifestyle Production Group

Photo By: Mike Small

Photo By: Chris & Cami Photography

Photo By: Durston Saylor, Landscape Architect: Kevin Campion with Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Contractor: Mark Koski with GYC Group Ltd.

Photo By: David Burroughs, Landscape Architect: Kevin Campion with Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Contractor: Mark Koski with GYC Group Ltd.

Photo By: Durston Saylor, Landscape Architect: Kevin Campion with Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Contractor: Mark Koski with GYC Group Ltd.

Photo By: Aaron Greene

Photo By: Patrick Brickman, Architect: Chris Rose, Pool Contractor: Blue Haven Pools, Landscape Contractor: Charleston Landscape

Photo By: Adam Potts

Photo By: James Florio

Photo By: Holly Lepere - Lepere Studio

Photo By: Jenifer McNeil Baker, Landscape: From the Ground Up, Builder: The Ed Jarrett Company

Photo By: Adam Potts

Photo By: Patrick Brickman, Architect: Clarke Design Group, Builder: Curtis Daniel Homes, Landscape Contractor: Green Grass

Photo By: Jeri Koegel Photography

Photo By: Caitlin Atkinson

Photo By: Jackson Design and Remodeling

Photo By: Caitlin Atkinson

Photo By: Steven R. Haning, Landscape Contractor: Aspen Creek Landscaping

Photo By: Emma McAlary

Photo By: Rosemary Fletcher Photography

Photo By: Caitlin Atkinson

Photo By: Chris & Cami Photography

Photo By: Irene Kalina-Jones

Photo By: Meiwen Wang Photography

Photo By: Mason Summers - Anchor Pictures

Photo By: Holly Lepere

Photo By: Pelin Hoskan

Tropical Backyard at Sunset

Palm trees line this tropical backyard with a stunning pool and lounge chairs.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Swimming Pool Leading to Shoreline

Take a dip in this luxe pool and enjoy oceanside views in this tropical backyard.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Tropical Waterside Retreat

This tropical home's smaller front pool was designed for lounging and relaxing. It was placed in front of the property to give protection from the occasional winds.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Reflecting Pool in Formal Garden

One almost expects to see Alice and the White Rabbit dashing across the lawns of this grand formal garden. Here, a reflecting pool is shaded by rows of trees.

From: Windsor Companies

Lakefront Parterre Garden

A parterre garden dotted with statues also comes with sweeping lake views.

From: Windsor Companies

Formal Courtyard With Boxwood Hedges

Boxwood hedges carve a symmetrical border of green around this formal courtyard.

From: Windsor Companies

White Gate and Poolhouse

Mismatched stepping stones lead the way from an outdoor entertaining area through an adorable white picket gate to the backyard's pool and poolhouse.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

White Coastal Poolhouse With Blue Chairs

Grab lunch and a little shade under the poolhouse's pergola. Pool blue chairs and the planters' mix of seasonal annuals provide the cheery color.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Swimming Pool and Green Floor Cushions

The swimming pool got a face lift, and now homeowners can swim and lounge (love those green and blue floor cushions) with the beautiful backdrop of garden views.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Tropical Open Air Pool House

Peek out from under the shade of the open air pool house, framed in mahogany with crisp white accents.

From: Kanga Construction

Tropical Poolhouse and Pool

This Key West backyard is a tropical retreat with its lush landscaping, pool and poolside cabana.

From: Kanga Construction

Tropical Backyard With Small Decks

Just off the primary bedroom, a petite ipe deck is perfect for a morning coffee. Or head to the pool.

From: Kanga Construction

Home with Two Round Gates and Fence

This large home features two eye-catching gates, both rounded and made of wood. The gate leading to the backyard is lined with white stone for added brightness.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Round Gate Leading to Home's Backyard

This home features brick, stone and wooden accents that combine to make a unique feel.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Backyard with Unique Fence and Patio

A unique fence connects to the entryway and round gate in this home's backyard.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Pool With Black Modern Armchairs

Soak up some sun or just the spectacular setting at this magical estate. Landscaping has a faint Zen-like appeal including the white pergola at one end of the pool, cheery ceramic orange tables and the garden's deep serenity.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Patio With Grass Trimmed Pavers

Grass gives these pavers geometric definition and is a pretty way to move visually from the pool to the gardens. Feathery greenery softens the look of the stone steps up into the garden.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Pool and Grass Trimmed Pavers

Green grass trim around the pavers is a pretty way to transition from lawn to pool. Stretches of unbroken patio at the pool's end are reserved for lounging.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Covered Patio With Outdoor Dining Table

A long gazebo offers shade to this backyard's outdoor kitchen and dining area. Wide paver walkways are the chic, geometric bridges across the grass.

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Backyard With Outdoor Dining Room

All kinds of lush greenery give this backyard the feeling of a secret oasis. The shaded outdoor dining room is at the heart with beautiful lighting and a backdrop of taller bushes for added privacy .

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Outdoor Sitting Area With Floor Cushions

An array of soft pillows and throws cozies up this built-in corner bench, wrapped around a fire pit. Floor cushions are additional inviting —and flexible—seating.

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Aerial View of Lakeside Backyard

This breathtaking view of a lakeside backyard showcases how spacious the area is.

From: Andover Landscape

Sitting Area with Fire Pit By Lake

Right off the shore of a lake sits this cozy patio area with lounge chairs and a fire pit.

From: Andover Landscape

Terrace View of Patio with Fire Pit

This breathtaking view from the terrace showcases the backyard's patio with an eye-catching fire pit.

From: Andover Landscape

Pool Area with Cabana and Deck

The pool is understated which allows the ipe cabana and pergola to stand out in this contemporary backyard.

From: MDLA

Lounge Area with Granite Fireplace

A large backyard calls for a large fireplace to fill the space. This granite fireplace matches the trim boarding the patio to pull the whole look together.

From: MDLA

Yoga Terrace in Contemporary Backyard

Fitness gurus will love the yoga terrace in this contemporary backyard. Add plush seating for a multipurpose space.

From: MDLA

Ranch House and Backyard

Designers used natural materials like grass, gravel and wood chips to create a textural quilt out of the grounds.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Patio and Pool With Raised Brick Garden

A raised garden bed is a fun way to draw a subtle line between the patio and swimming pool.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Garden With Sunlit Grasses

At certain times of day in this breathtaking garden, sunlight makes the grasses and trees glow.

From: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Swimming Pool and Lawns

The glassy pool is a lovely textural change in the middle of this backyard large lawns.

From: Kern & Co.

Mediterranean House and Yard With Pool

Deep porches extend off the back of this Mediterranean villa, looking out over the grand swimming pool and hot tub.

From: Kern & Co.

Fire Table and Pool in Backyard

This blissful backyard scene could easily be part of a noble Italian estate. Enjoy the views from the pool or cozied up by the fire pit.

From: Kern & Co.

Pool and Sunken Outdoor Sitting Area

Large glass doors slide back to connect this home's main living area with a posh deck. Outside, there's a slim infinity-edge pool whose back side appears to vanish into the nearby bay. Designers also created a sunken seating arrangement, with benches surrounding a fire pit, to be an outdoor living room.

From: Choeff Levy Fischman

Tropical Modern Pool and Deck

This home's outdoor areas are designed to be easy extensions of the indoor ones. There's a deck that ends in an infinity pool. A sunken fire pit sits in between the pool and an outdoor kitchen and bar.

From: Choeff Levy Fischman

Infinity Pool and Hot Tub at Night

The pool echoes the clean angles and geometry of the cantilevered home and is a sparkling blue focal point between the house and the bay.

From: Choeff Levy Fischman

Outdoor Fireplace and Sitting Area

Elevate your outdoor space with a simple stone fireplace and comfy lounge seating. The brick layout in the tile floor provides a beautiful contrast.

From: Pascale Land Design

Backyard with Garden Pavers and Fire Pit

This backyard has dedicated space for sitting areas. Here, the area is marked off by stone garden pavers that create an elegant pattern with the lush, green lawn.

From: Pascale Land Design

Outdoor Dining Area

This eye-catching black dining table is a nice contrast against the white home exterior.

From: Pascale Land Design

Small Backyard With Pool

The backyard feels perfectly balanced, brick patio trading places with ribbons of lawn. The swimming pool is the sparkling gemstone focal point.

From: Carolina Landscape

Porch and Garden With Pool

When it's hot at this Charleston home, there are options: Enjoy a cool iced tea on the shady porch, or stroll down a few steps and jump into the pool!

From: Carolina Landscape

Backyard With Small Brick Patios

Instead of one big patio, landscape designers set up several smaller ones. They all feel unified, made of the same brick. There's one for poolside conversation, poolside lounging and an outdoor dining area.

From: Carolina Landscape

Waterfront Estate with Pool House

The main home sits approximately 300 feet from the water. This design allows for a terrace from the house to the walkway and a lower terrace from the walkway to the pool. As a result, the homeowners can enjoy sweeping waterfront views without obstruction from the pool.

From: Purple Cherry Architects

Grandeur Pool House

This large pool terrace accommodates dozens of guests, accented by seasonally rotated containers and colorful summer plantings. Here, alliums provide a whimsical display of purple in the early summer garden.

From: Purple Cherry Architects

Waterfront Estate with Pool House at Night

The exterior of the pool house features sliding barn doors on each side that allow the interior spaces to be fully open to the outside or enclosed for protection from the elements.

From: Purple Cherry Architects

Traditional Backyard With Unique Swimming Pool

A unique shaped pool was added to this traditional backyard to add a touch of pizzaz to the space.

From: DabneyCollins

View of Backyard Through Pergola

Plush white patio furniture lines this traditional backyard with an elegant pool and brick privacy fence.

From: DabneyCollins

Backyard Garden With Cottage-Style Shed

With a backyard this impressive, you need a stylish shed to go with it. Here, a cottage-style shed was added for the perfect place to store lawn tools.

From: DabneyCollins

Pink Ornamental Grasses and Pool

Pink-tipped grasses are a beautiful way to visually transition from the house down to the swimming pool.

From: J.R. Kramer

Boardwalk and Garden With Pine Needles

Pine needles are pretty groundcover for this garden, a nice layer of texture that also sets off the plants' pink, purple and green.

From: J.R. Kramer

Pool and Two Urns

The grounds of this estate sit at water's edge, so the landscaping is an attractive blend of the tropical, coastal surroundings and a clipped, formal feel.

From: J.R. Kramer

Outdoor Sitting Area With Lanterns

This home in the heart of wine country draws landscaping inspiration from its location. Lush vines envelop the simple wood pergola; underneath, a seating arrangement cozies up to a fire pit.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Backyard With Raised Vegetable Garden

The large backyard very carefully carves out unique areas. This corner is dedicated to an edible garden grown in charming raised beds.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Backyard and White Cafe Table

Gather round this backyard's charming cafe table and slip into another world. Green, growing vines and trees make the outdoor space feel like a secret garden with a sparkling pool at the very center.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Urban Backyard With Elevated Pool

The backyard is at once eclectic and artistic (a welcome fit with the home's art district neighborhood) as well as modern. Pre-existing trees were complemented by rolling lawns and a large sculptural boulder. There is also an elevated pool and space for dining and lounging.

From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Stone Patio With Fire Bowl

Sand-colored stone and furniture help this simple patio take a backseat to the striking gardens all around it.

From: CommonGround Landscape Architecture

Lounge Chairs and Drought Tolerant Garden

Native plants and succulents give an almost lush quality to this home's expansive gardens. Two lounge chairs are perfectly located to take in all the natural beauty.

From: CommonGround Landscape Architecture

Porch and Succulent Garden Overview

The ranch house's low lines make the open mountaintop and ocean views even more majestic. Beautifully-textured succulent gardens surround the porch and stone patios.

From: CommonGround Landscape Architecture

Traditional White Home With Floor-to-Ceiling Windows

Floor-to-ceiling windows make a grand statement in this impressive traditional home.

From: Maestri Studio

Traditional White Home With Arch Over Front Door

This traditional white home features a striking gray front door with an arch and pendant light above.

From: Maestri Studio

Traditional White Home With Gym In Garage

This traditional white home features a 3-car garage that can fit up to 6 vehicles. To the left is a single-car garage that doubles as a home gym.

From: Maestri Studio

Front Garden With Bowl Fountain

The front yard has a magic all its own. A low fountain sits opposite the front door, the heart of a romantic garden full of purple flowers and wispy grasses.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Multi-Level Backyard With Swimming Pool

This multi-level backyard features a rectangular swimming pool, hot tub with matching lining and tiered seating area with twin white umbrellas.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Circle Sculpture and Fire Pit

Instead of a traditional gate, a circular sculpture heralds the entrance to this seating arrangement (and gets bonus points for being a striking frame).

From: Christian Douglas Design

Modern White Home Exterior with Curb Appeal

This modern white home is oozing with curb appeal, from the custom mailbox to the lush greenery lining the driveway.

From: J.R. Kramer

Modern White Home Exterior with Gray Garage Doors

This modern white home features contrasting gray details in the soft gray driveway and slate gray garage doors and roof.

From: J.R. Kramer

Modern White Home with Simple Lawn

With a home this impressive, a simple lawn allows the home's beauty to shine through.

From: J.R. Kramer

Gray Front Door and Twin Trees

The front entrance of the home is given grace and softness with two tree sentries planted in the gravel before the main steps.

From: Zucker Design Associates

Black and White Villa With Vines

Green does gorgeous things out front of this Mediterranean home. Landscape designers beautifully layered climbing vines, low-scale foliage plants and grass to offset the exterior's crisp white with black shutters.

From: Zucker Design Associates

Patio With Green Sofa and Chairs

Green cushions adorn much of the seating on this home's patio, helping the furniture fade into the beauty of the surrounding gardens.

From: Zucker Design Associates

Ivy-Covered Atherton House and Romantic Garden

This drought-tolerant garden takes a romantic bent with its eclectic mix of Mediterranean and California native plants.

From: Chris Jacobson

Cottage Garden With Winding Gravel Path

This enchanting garden feels so diverse and lush, it's difficult to believe that it's also drought resistant. Plantings are made up of plants native to the Mediterranean and California.

From: Chris Jacobson

Drought-Tolerant California Garden With Blue Planters

Ceramic planters provide the exciting color in this drought-tolerant garden, their electric blue popping out against the garden's soft greens and earth tones.

From: Chris Jacobson

White Farmhouse with Light Brown Garage Door

This chic white farmhouse features an eye-catching light brown garage door and lush green lawn.

From: Jackson Design and Remodeling

Chic White Farmhouse with Dutch Front Door

This chic white farmhouse embraces the California coastal climate, allowing natural light and fresh ocean breezes to flow throughout.

From: Jackson Design and Remodeling

Chic White Farmhouse

Reclaimed wood posts and beams on the exterior of this chic white farmhouse hint at the aesthetic of the interior and make the whole home feel unified in its approach.

From: Jackson Design and Remodeling

Drought Resistant Yard With Boulders

This California property's large yard was broken up into distinct areas and landscaped with plants native to the Mediterranean climate. Gravel trades off with grasses, both dotted with succulents and cactus.

From: Chris Jacobson

Low Water Garden With Stepping Stones

This drought-tolerant garden has a surprisingly lush feel thanks to its carefully-curated mix of succulents, cactus and plants native to a Mediterranean climate.

From: Chris Jacobson

Succulent Garden With Gravel

This California home's drought-tolerant garden—populated with native Mediterranean plants and succulents—is a beautiful foil to the backdrop of green trees.

From: Chris Jacobson

Portland Cottage with Attractive Wooden Door

This inviting stone home features an eye-catching front door and lush greenery leading up the path. To the right you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful patio area.

From: Casa Smith Designs, LLC

Cottage Garden with Lush Greenery and Fountain

The space draws inspiration from the traditional English garden style. A large fountain provides a soothing ambiance, and drought-tolerant plantings invite birds, bees and butterflies to the environs.

From: Casa Smith Designs, LLC

Patio With Wood Furniture and and Fire Pit

This warm and inviting patio draws inspiration from the traditional English garden style with paths leading to the front door, garden and entertaining space all surrounded by a lush garden. In the evening the space is artfully lit with strategically placed lights for safety and ambiance while speakers fill the air with music.

From: Casa Smith Designs, LLC

Front Garden With Black-Eyed Susans

Insects, butterflies and anyone walking by will fall for the lush perennial garden in this home's front yard. Its collection of flowers and plants create an eye-catching seasonal display.

From: CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects

Front Yard With White Grasses

This home's front yard is like a magnificent fireworks display with different-textured plants showing off their stuff in bright white, pink, orange, purple and yellow. The staggered flower beds help every color be seen.

From: CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects

Front Garden and Stone Stairs

There's an alluring softness to this home's front garden with its beautiful wash of pale colors and inviting textures.

Garden With Gray Gravel Path

The route up to the house wanders this way and that, broken up by big boulders and garden beds. Tall trees also give the homeowners more privacy.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Evergreen Tree and Gravel

Evergreens—in tree and bush form—make striking partners with this garden's gravel groundcover.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Stream With Small Waterfalls

What would a woodland garden be without a charming stream?

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Backyard with Pergola and Plants

The "overgrown" plant look can work when walkways are kept cleared. Here, the walkway is clear and leads to the sitting area under the pergola.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Backyard with Pergola and Sitting Area

Pergolas are an easy way to separate a backyard and make it feel more spacious.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Backyard with Colorful Garden and Shed

This small shed makes a large impact in this bright backyard, complete with a cozy patio on its side.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Side Garden With Brick Path

This home has only a little bit of land alongside it, but a wonderful collection of tropical and evergreen plants (and a fountain) make it feel lush and so inviting.

From: Carolina Landscape

Porch With Tabletop Topiaries

In Charleston, deep shade is the place to be. This porch corner offers a cool respite with its marble floor, dining table and comfy armchairs.

From: Carolina Landscape

Fountain With Brick Base

The focal point of the garden is a fountain featuring a bugle boy with a stately brick-and-concrete base.

From: Carolina Landscape

Rooftop Garden With Four Chairs

Originally, this New York City rooftop was large, empty and hot with the sun beating down especially on the side of the river. So one of the main goals was to make it cooler, which landscape designers achieved with a masterful collection of container gardens, shade structures and trees.

From: Outside Space NYC

Rooftop Garden With White Chairs

A birch tree in a large planter is the anchor of one of the rooftop garden's seating arrangements. The deck was divided up into four usable areas: one for lounging, one for dining, one for playing and one for cooking.

From: Outside Space NYC

Rooftop Garden With Play Area

For the children of the family, designers set up a play area using Synlawn, a material that is soft to the touch and has the added advantage of keeping its green even in the winter. A custom-made shade sail extends on super sunny days.

From: Outside Space NYC

Pool With Tennis Court and Gravel Patio

This magical property came with a creek and majestic California-native oak trees. Landscape designers used those elements as a centering point, and styled the rest of the backyard around them. The theme was: eco-adventure resort and the grounds include a pool, tennis court, multiple lounge areas and room for the family's chickens to roam.

From: ZFreedman Landscape Architecture

Cement Walkway and Paper Lantern

The walkway through this backyard isn't a red carpet, but it has all the grandeur of one with twinkling fairy lights and paper lanterns dancing overhead.

From: ZFreedman Landscape Architecture

Waterfall and Stream

The infinity edge of the pool becomes a remarkable focal point from the lower level of the yard. The waterfall blends into its surroundings with the help of wood retaining walls and a pretty garden. A few steps further down, a fire pit has a lovely vantage point by the stream.

From: ZFreedman Landscape Architecture

Cape Cod Style Home With Cedar Shakes

Tiny topiary trees line the walkway of this Cape Cod home like well-trained soldiers.

From: D. A. Dunlevy

Wood Front Door and Stone Walkway

Pale stone creates the handsome walkway up to this farmhouse's front door. Small bushes are neatly clipped for a formal garden feel along the way.

From: D. A. Dunlevy

Arched Trellis and Paver Path

This archway is an example of the custom carpentry touches used throughout the home's landscaping. Paired with the large square pavers, it makes a charming transition from the front of the home to the back.

From: D. A. Dunlevy

Mountainside Backyard

This spacious backyard features gorgeous gardens that pops with color and texture against a backdrop of rolling hills and majestic mountains.

From: Kiesel Design

Spacious Backyard With Native Garden Plantings

This backyard features a lush array of native and English garden plantings that gracefully sweep along a wooden fence.

From: Kiesel Design

Backyard With Fire Pit

This backyard features a place to relax with a simple fire pit and black and wood chairs.

From: Kiesel Design

Pool and Rustic Gazebo

The tidy geometry of this patio's large pavers bordered in grass is an attractive design contrast to the rambling landscape just outside the yard.

From: FineLines Design Studio

Fire Pit Sitting Area and Turf

The green lawn around the fire pit is actually made of artificial turf.

From: FineLines Design Studio

Pool Waterfalls and Owl

For a pretty border along one edge of the pool, designers planned a series of waterfalls and different height stone walls. A friendly owl and container gardens add a little whimsy along the top.

From: FineLines Design Studio