How to design a perfect terrace

There’s nothing better than spending your free time relaxing on your terrace - having your own outdoor seating area gives you a chance to enjoy a free afternoon or holding dinner for your guests outside. But before any of that is possible, there’s one more thing left to do - designing a terrace that’s comfortable and beautiful at the same time. So how exactly can you do it?

Create a terrace you’ll enjoy anytime

There seems to be a common belief that you can enjoy spending time on your terrace only when the weather is nice. And it’s simply not the case - with the right design, you can spend time outside anytime. Unpleasant weather - whether it’s rain or scorching sun - is only a problem if it’s affecting you directly. Luckily, there’s a rather easy solution to this issue. What is it? You just need to find a way to shelter yourself from the elements!

And while it might be easier said than done, there are actually two main options to choose from. The first option is permanent - you can build a roof over your terrace or patio, but there’s one downside here as well, a roof will stop you from enjoying the sunny summer afternoons by creating too much shadow. Hence the rising popularity of a more flexible solution - an easy-to-operate canopy that you can install over the terrace. And since it’s retractable, whether you want to open it or not is entirely up to you!

Think about the ways in which you want to use your terrace

Now that we know that a well-designed terrace has a lot to offer throughout the year, and not only on those rare days with perfect weather, it’s time to think about ways in which you can use such a space! This will determine the details of this entire project, so don’t rush your decisions. Do you want to be able to throw a garden party? A place to have friends over for dinner? Or maybe you just want to have your own private place to sit in with a cup of tea and a good book? And remember that when deciding on the purpose of your terrace, you should always keep in mind the amount of space you have. It’ll be incredibly difficult to create a comfortable seating area for 10 people when your space is limited. So be realistic with your expectations and don’t try to add too many elements into your project - you’ll only end up making it feel cramped and uncomfortable.

When decorating, use your imagination

And at last, we come to the best part - decorating. It’s time to use your imagination and get creative. After all, it’s your own terrace, and you’re the one who’s going to spend the most time there. You can, of course, look for inspiration in magazines or online, but there are also a few general tips to keep in mind:

• keep it stylish: think about your terrace as of your outdoor living room and decorate it accordingly. There are many types of garden furniture available, so you’ll easily pick something that suits your taste. Look for beautiful fabrics and textiles to add to it as well - a few cushions or an outdoor carpet will help you bring warmth into the project and make your terrace feel more comfortable and welcoming.
• don’t forget about plants: having a terrace gives you a chance to gain more living space by, in a way, taking your home outside. But it’s also a chance to enjoy being closer to nature - you can achieve this by adding a lot of greenery and flowers. But don’t just pick plants at random and always check whether you can provide them with the right conditions to grow and thrive.
• light up your terrace: including lighting in your design is a solution that lets you enjoy your terrace not only during the day but also in the evenings. Once the sun sets and the world around gradually gets darker and darker, you’ll still be able to stay outside and feel perfectly comfortable by simply turning on the light. You can also use lighting to make the entire design more interesting by combining decorative lights with floor lamps or by choosing an awning with integrated lighting.

There is no such thing as a universal terrace design that will suit the needs and taste of everyone - so instead of focusing on the popular trends, you should focus on your own expectations. Create a space just for yourself, one that you’ll enjoy and cherish for years to come, and hopefully, you’ll be able to do so by using the tips listed above.