Zooey Deschanel’s Latest Instagram Post Reveals a Clever Garden Trellis Trick for Small Spaces

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Zooey Deschanel has held an iron-grip on public affection ever since she starred in (500) Days of Summer. So, when the beloved actor shared a recent snapshot into her home on social media, it was little wonder that fans and design enthusiasts alike sat up and paid attention to the details of her living space.

At first glance, it is undoubtedly Zooey’s cat—alongside a rather fabulous and elaborate cat tree—that steals the spotlight in the Instagram photo. However, for those who look beyond the window glass, another detail quickly emerges as worthy of notice: a tall, striking black trellis, partly softened by lush greenery, that introduces a lovely and sophisticated vertical element to the terrace just outside.

It is the sort of subtle garden feature that is remarkably easy to overlook at a casual glance, yet it represents a particularly clever design addition for any outdoor space that is frequently viewed from indoors. Rather than functioning simply as a utilitarian support structure for a climbing plant, this particular type of architectural trellis creates an intentional focal point immediately outside the window, giving the eye something rich and interesting to land on beyond the glass pane.

The benefits of incorporating a structure like Zooey Deschanel’s black trellis—which shares a striking aesthetic similarity to the classical garden obelisks popular in landscape design—extend far beyond the purely aesthetic. As the climbing foliage gradually matures and fills out the frame, it begins to create a greater sense of privacy for the homeowner, softens the raw architectural view from the window, and provides some welcome, dappled shade from strong summer sunshine beating down on the terrace.

For those of us working with distinctly smaller gardens, courtyards, or terraces compared to a celebrity property, the strategic placement of a well-chosen trellis can work wonders. It is an effective way to make an outdoor space feel significantly greener, more intimate, and more enclosed, all without taking up the valuable floor space that a bulky traditional hedge or large shrub would invariably require.

This approach feels entirely fitting for Zooey Deschanel and her personal design sensibilities. When she and her partner, Jonathan Scott, previously opened up their home to Architectural Digest, the New Girl star explained that they specifically wanted their outdoor terraces to capture the charming cottage garden feel that they both deeply love. During the interview, she noted that they had intentionally incorporated a significant amount of trellis work into the overall design scheme of their Los Angeles residence to achieve that relaxed, organic atmosphere.

In traditional landscaping, a trellis is frequently treated as a purely practical and utilitarian garden accessory: positioned flat against a plain brick wall, given a single climbing plant to cling to, and left for nature to slowly take over. However, repositioning a trellis so that it can be actively viewed from an indoor window completely transforms its role in the broader design. It allows the accessory to transcend its basic function and become an integral part of the garden’s permanent architecture. The dark framework provides sharp structural lines, while the wandering foliage and seasonal flowers gradually soften its edges over time.

Viewed from the comfort of indoors, this arrangement can create the compelling optical illusion of a much lusher, greener outlook without requiring any major, costly landscaping projects. This design strategy proves especially useful on urban terraces or compact patios, where space constraints simply rule out the possibility of planting mature shade trees or establishing traditional boundary hedges.

Achieving a similar look at home does not require tracking down an exact match for the actor’s specific garden accessories. Landscape designers suggest looking for a tall black metal obelisk or an open-frame architectural trellis with enough vertical presence to create a noticeable, eye-catching feature from the vantage point of an indoor window. Even simpler, more compact solutions—such as utilizing a spiral frame trellis for climbing plants contained within a decorative pot—can achieve a remarkably similar visual impact in tight quarters.

The real secret to success lies entirely in thoughtful positioning. If the primary motivation for installing a trellis is to dramatically improve the everyday view from inside the house, designers advise against automatically shoving the structure into the furthest, least noticeable corner of a garden border. Instead, homeowners should carefully consider the specific vantage points from which they view their outdoor space most frequently, placing the framework and its future foliage so that they sit naturally and prominently within the primary sightline of a frequently used window.

Once the physical structure is securely in place, selecting the right climbing plant for the local climate and sunlight conditions is essential. Varieties such as clematis, climbing roses, sweet-scented honeysuckle, and delicate jasmine can all provide an attractive, dense leafy screen throughout the growing season, while fast-growing annuals like sweet peas offer a much quicker seasonal option for those eager for immediate results.

Ultimately, Zooey Deschanel’s choice of garden architecture serves as a brilliant reminder that a climbing plant does not simply need a surface to grow on. With thoughtful planning, the support structure itself can become an integral, beautiful part of the view, bridging the gap between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity.