Design a terrace Tips and inspiration

Once the newly built home is finished and the move has been successfully completed, attention quickly shifts to the outdoor area. After all, you want to fully enjoy your new home. As a passage between the house and the garden, a terrace offers the opportunity to expand the outdoor living space and create a real favorite corner surrounded by nature. With the right design, a terrace can be not only a welcoming retreat, but also the perfect stage for social gatherings with family and friends. But how to transform a simple terrace into a place of well-being that appeals to our senses and is functional at the same time? In this blog post we have collected ideas and tips on how to design your terrace and transform it into an inviting oasis. Get inspired!

Designing a terrace – types of use of the terrace

The way you design your terrace mainly depends on the purpose of the outdoor space. Do you want a seating area for relaxing afternoons or a special area for barbecue evenings with friends? Or would you like to use the extra space to grow vegetables and herbs? Make sure you think about the role you want your terrace to play before you start designing it. For example, you can create the following areas:

Cozy seating corner

What’s more beautiful than spending sunny and relaxing weekends in the open air? A comfortable seating area on the terrace can create a pleasant and homely atmosphere. All you need are comfortable seats such as sofas, armchairs or ottomans. If you choose water-repellent and sturdy furniture suitable for outdoor use, you can leave it outside without worries. Soft pillows and blankets provide additional comfort, but should be brought indoors at night to protect them from moisture.

Outdoor dining area

Whether it’s a hearty breakfast, a convivial dinner or a relaxed afternoon coffee, when the weather is nice, many people like to eat outdoors. A terrace can be ideally designed as a dining area with a table and chairs. If more space is needed, a coffee table can help. And if you like cooking or grilling, you can also equip your terrace with a grill station or an outdoor kitchen. This means you can prepare and enjoy your meals outdoors.

Vertical garden

Small terraces offer little space for planters and raised beds. They often border walls and walls, which are well suited for planting. On the terrace it is possible to create a vertical garden using trellises, plant walls or suspended planters. This not only creates a pleasant atmosphere, but can also serve as a natural privacy screen. The following plants are particularly suitable for the vertical garden:

• Herbs
• Salad
• Edible flowers
• Ornamental grasses
• Perennial plants
• Do it
• Succulent

You can find more terrace garden tips in our blog post “Above: A vertical garden for the balcony or terrace”.

Design a terrace: decoration gives intimacy

• Lighting: Solar lights, lanterns and fairy lights – similar to garden lighting, light elements on the terrace create a warm and inviting atmosphere for evening relaxation or outdoor parties.
• Plants and flowers: Planters or planters add color to the terrace. Plants that thrive well in the region and require little care are best suited. This means that the plants on the terrace remain green and fresh for a long time.
• Water Elements: Small fountains or mini ponds in tubs can also be used for patio design. Even though they take up space, they are extremely decorative. The gentle sound of water can also have a calming effect. If you are passionate about aquatic elements but prefer them in the garden, you can also create a garden pond visible from the terrace.
• Other decorative elements: Decorative elements such as wind chimes, sculptures, outdoor rugs or decorative pillows easily add accents. With them you give your terrace personality and an individual touch.

Sun protection options for the terrace

When designing your patio, be sure to include sun protection so you can sit outside even on the hottest days. There are various sun protection solutions for the terrace, to be selected based on needs and aesthetic preferences. Common options are:

• Umbrellas: Looking for affordable sun protection? Umbrellas are available in various sizes, shapes and colors and offer flexible shading options.
• Awnings: Awnings are a permanent sun protection solution that can be installed both on the facade and in a freestanding position. They cover larger areas than umbrellas and can be operated manually or automatically.
• Pergolas: Self-supporting structures with beam or slat roofs are currently very popular. Pergolas offer partial protection from the sun and create a pleasant atmosphere. Alternatively they can also be equipped with a fabric or glass roof.
• Solar sail: A sun sail is a large sheet of fabric that is stretched over the deck to provide shade. They can be flexibly adjusted and thus regulate the incidence of sunlight. If folded and stored carefully, they can be stored over the winter and hung up again next summer.
• Slatted roofs: Movable louvered roofs can be opened or closed as needed. They offer the possibility of regulating sun protection and at the same time regulating the incidence of light and ventilation.

For further reading

A terrace is as beautiful as the surrounding garden. In our blog post “Wellness oasis in your garden: A place of well-being and relaxation” you will find lots of tips on how to transform your outdoor space into your paradise.