A well-designed terrace is like an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle of life. Give this outdoor zone a facelift with nature-inspired furnishing, comfy lounges and entertainment areas. We think it’s important to invest in your outdoor living space as much as your indoor space as it’s an extension of your property that sadly most homeowners overlook.
Over the last year especially, as we’ve been cooped up inside under lockdown, we’ve come to value our outdoor space even more. So if you happen to be in possession of a terrace and are looking for ideas to bring out the best of every inch of it, here’s our advice for how to maximise your space.
Having a large terrace gives you more options to explore. However, don’t fret if you’re stuck with a smaller space; it just takes a little more thinking and planning before you can get started with its makeover. Proper planning and a creative mind can convert any small (but mighty) or large space into a lovely atmosphere.
If you’re lucky enough to have a terrace, then you owe it to yourself—and all your friends—to make the most of it. This means doing more than putting out a folding chair and calling it a day. No matter how tiny it is, your terrace has plenty of design potential.
Any space needs to be measured before you can start working on it. By doing so you’ll avoid making the mistake of buying furniture which would be too large, which would engulf the space or vice versa. Therefore, it is essential to measure your space in order to have the correct idea of how big your terrace is and plan accordingly. There’s a fine line between cosy and crammed.
Overspending is not cool. Feeling guilty about enjoying your new space or running out of money midway and not being able to finish off the project aren’t either. Either scenario is unfavourable therefore it is important to create a budget for this project even though it’s not necessarily the most fun.
There are so many styles to choose from in regards to your terrace’s decor. One may either play a wild card and go for something that’s dramatically different to your inside space or play it safe and mirror your inside space on your terrace. The decision is yours. It would be helpful to create a mood board either using pinterest or a folder in your saved archive on instagram to gather inspiration from.
A terrace is at its best when it’s adorned with plants, whether you have a green thumb or not. Think big if you love gardening (shrubs, towering ferns, prickly cacti) and keep it simple if you’re a novice: potted herbs, hanging baskets and hardy shrubs. In this case, more is more and there’s no need to hold back. You cannot go wrong with greenery.
You won’t be on your balcony for long this summer if you don’t have anywhere to sit in the shade. Even if you’re a sun worshipper, you need somewhere to get out of the heat. Small terraces, unfortunately, might not have the space to accommodate both a daybed and a sun umbrella, so consider a canopy, which will work wonders. Whether you custom make it or even diy-it, it will extend the amount of time you can sit on (and enjoy) your terrace.
It’s easy to assume that it’s not worth investing any time, money or energy into improving your outdoor space, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With a little creative thinking, you can transform your terrace into an irresistible summer retreat.
No matter the size of your terrace, it’s part of your home’s precious square meterage – you should try and make the most of them! You won’t regret it.
GAP Homes always include private outdoor spaces. Have a look at our available properties here
