The One Garden Feature That Makes David and Victoria Beckham’s Home Irresistible – Experts Say You’ll Want It Too

The garden pergola might not be new, but it is seeing a resurgence in popularity right now, as a way to add an affordable extension to the home and create an intentional indoor-outdoor living area as we look towards brighter and warmer weather. This rise in interest may also be down to the fact that its favored by celebs, such as David and Victoria Beckham, whose Cotswolds garden features a stylish outdoor dining area framed by a wooden structure.

According to experts, garden pergola ideas are the perfect way to create that coveted indoor-outdoor feel, and they can look so beautiful covered in greenery and dotted with twinkling lights come night time. David and Victoria Beckham's garden in the below post, which David shared on Instagram, features seating that would feel just at home indoors as out, including Windsor-back wooden chairs and a concrete-top table (Pottery Barn has a lookalike), as well as a pretty silver lantern (this wayfair hanging lantern is similar) to bring the look to life by night.

I've asked the garden design and furniture experts for their tips on creating garden zones and curated a shopping list of garden furniture and accessories to get the Beckhams' pared back look.

Shop Outdoor Furniture Inspired by the Beckhams' Zonal Garden

As the weather starts to turn and we're ready to get back into our gardens, an in-between space that bridges the gap between indoors and out can make all the difference while the evenings still feel a little chill. 'Over the past few years, our relationship with our outdoor spaces has shifted dramatically,' explains Andrew White, Outdoor Expert at Harbour Lifestyle. 'Gardens aren’t just somewhere to host the occasional barbecue anymore – they are increasingly seen as an extension of the home itself.'

Mike Fretto, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Neighbor agrees: 'The biggest shift we’re seeing is people treating outdoor spaces more like interiors – breaking them into distinct areas with different purposes.'

That's exactly what the Beckhams have done here with garden zoning at their Cotwolds home. There's a relaxed open-air seating area with wooden folding chairs – an ideal spot for enjoying a mindful morning coffee with a newspaper – and a more formal entertaining area, delineated by a wooden structure, with a dining table and chairs underneath.

An outdoor structure like this is a clever way to signpost a distinct zone. 'A pergola or covered structure helps define a “room” for dining or hosting, especially when paired with more structured furniture,' adds Mike. 'Then you can layer in looser, more flexible pieces (folding chairs, loungers, smaller side tables) in surrounding areas for quieter, everyday use.'

Andrew explains how zoning, created by the likes of outdoor structures, is gaining popularity and how trying this look could actually make your home more saleable. 'Pergolas help create that indoor-outdoor flow and are quickly becoming one of the most desirable features for house hunters,' he says. 'Just as interiors benefit from clearly defined areas, gardens also feel more considered when different ‘zones’ are introduced. A pergola creates a natural focal point for outdoor dining or lounging, making the garden feel structured and thoughtfully designed.'

If you focus on garden room ideas that are more substantial, it could certainly increase the value of your property, although there is a larger initial outlay. 'With flexible layouts, integrated lighting and heating, and weather-resistant materials, many modern pergolas can be used throughout the year. This increased usability is exactly why buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes with well-designed outdoor spaces,' adds Andrew.

However, you don't have to spend out on a fully fledged bricks-and-mortar structure to try this zoning idea; you can keep it simple with a wooden frame and furniture that leans into a natural look, like the Beckhams. 'Pergolas blur the boundary between house and garden,' says Andrew. 'If your garden is ‘au naturale’ and full of organic materials, select a wood-effect pergola over a metal frame to maintain the vibe.'

Jake Anderson of Stone Ridge Outdoor Experiences, praises the Beckhams' less-is-more look: 'For a more classic garden aesthetic, pairing a concrete or zinc-top table with Windsor-style chairs works beautifully under a pergola. These pieces bring an indoor level of style outside, helping the space feel elevated and cohesive with the home.'

Henry Stoll, Founder of Enduria Structures explains that 'A well-designed garden benefits from distinct zones that serve different purposes at different times of day.' And as we've seen from the Beckhams garden, that can be as simple as a quietly luxurious indoor-outdoor dining area, to a calm breakout area for relaxed conversation or moments of peace and quiet. 'Smaller, more relaxed pockets with informal seating can bring more depth and flexibility to the space,' adds Henry.

So, whatever your space and budget, you can create zonal areas that make your backyard feel more considered and styled in a way that reflects the inside of your home. 'Because so many people are building these types of “zones,” we’re seeing more and more customers come to expect this high level of design and comfort for their outdoor spaces,' adds Mike.

When you're shopping for outdoor furniture it's worth bearing in mind what style will suit the different zones you want to create within your space before committing. The resulting look will bring a layered and intentional look to your outdoor living area.

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