Need ideas for your terrace? What’s the secret behind this enchanting space? To make the most of sunny days, with a focus on aesthetics and functionality, the design of the terrace is carefully thought out to connect the spaces between the interior and the rest of the garden.
Push open the garden door to our design tips: the terrace will hold no more secrets for you!
A beautiful terrace is more than just a breathtaking view. It’s the fruit of a garden design with spaces defined by their functionality and a threaded, easily legible ambience. Here are a few essential secrets for creating a functional terrace without neglecting its aesthetic appeal!
01
The first thing to consider when designing a terrace is its functionality. For a dining area, it’s best to count on a minimum depth of 3 meters to accommodate your table, pull out chairs and ensure good circulation.
In the solarium area, you’ll need to allow for 2.5 meters of depth to move around, and a width of 75 cm per deckchair.
02
Never skimp on the quality of materials: this would be the second precept for a long-lasting terrace. Some garden furniture can remain outside all year round: in wood or woven resin, they can withstand the vagaries of the weather. Treated aluminum and high-end metal can also be left outside. Other materials can be stored in the garage, or for textiles, in special storage boxes.
Choose lightweight materials for easy transport.
03
A pretty garland, soft outdoor cushions, an original outdoor rug or even eye-catching flowerpots… small in price but big in effect, accessories are the charming trump card you need to complete the installation of a beautiful, welcoming terrace.
To ensure a smooth flow of space, place your table, pull out the chairs and ensure good circulation.
Is entertaining a priority? Whatever the number of guests, an extendable garden table is the right choice, to be unfolded as required. Think of chairs and armchairs to pass under the table, to maximize circulation.
A good idea? Stacking chairs or armchairs like Petite Friture’s Week-end collection, to bring out when there are lots of guests.
Style first? Mix colors and materials in the same collection of metal chairs for a surprising effect with a strong personality! We’ve fallen for this Vitra image, featuring combinations of beige, green and black, for a natural yet sophisticated, hyper-trendy effect.
We also love the oval shape of the Ethnicraft stone table, for maximum durability.
Terrace space permitting, a solarium area gives you the feeling of being at home on vacation.
As sunbeds are generally 2 m to 2.10 m long, you’ll need at least 2.50 m to move around them.
Count on 75 cm per deckchair, i.e. 2 m wide to accommodate two, plus an occasional table.
The detail that does it all? Choose a matching side table and two slightly staggered deckchairs for a vacation effect.
No room to spare? Chilean chairs and hammocks ensure you’ll be lounging in no time, as soon as the sun comes out.
Those who prefer comfort will love them on their terrace: garden furniture is diversifying in all price and design ranges, to extend (well seated) the hours spent in conviviality.
We love the modularity of sets like Fatboy’s Paletti, or Houe’s Level garden collection. The experience is perfect accompanied by outdoor lighting or an outdoor fireplace, to gather around a source of warmth once the sun goes down!
Rely on the ultra-comfort of XXL garden sofas like Nardi and maxi modular sofas: modular sets from Kartell, Rouli from Ferm Living or are a must.
⬣ Additional tips: To delineate spaces, plant the non-passage points: a beautiful wisteria, a vine running along the pergola, clustered flower pots establish an undeniable charm to this garden furniture and frame the eye.
Create a surprise by embedding your garden set in a custom-made wall space: surrounded by stone and set below the rest of the terrace, encased in wood or attached to a wall, this relaxation area becomes naturally obvious and eye-catching, creating the need to spend time there.
Delineate spaces according to the rooms in your home that give access to them, with pots and planters. Or rugs for a more premium effect.
The key is to connect the spaces together, but keep them functional and easy to access.
⬣ Layout tip: Arrange functional corners by islands, determined by different outdoor carpets or floors.
⬣ Material tips : Preserve unity in colors/materials/styles by corner to even better materialize spaces. A subtle, secondary color reminder can be made to preserve the overall harmony of the terrace.
In the heart of the city, a single or rooftop terrace is an extra room to pamper, a kind of escape from daily stress with a view overlooking the city. It needs to be perfectly functional, and lined with plants to give it shape, and preserve the intimacy of this cocoon.
⬣ Color tip : Choose rather dark or colored furniture, to prevent dust and pollution from being too visible.
⬣ Practical tip : Maximum functionality: round tables create movement around the terrace, and structure the space, while remaining rather compact.
For a successful layout, it’s essential to combine the right furniture, flooring, lighting, shading and decorative elements. Think about creating different zones (dining, relaxation, greenery) according to the surface area available.
Choose outdoor furniture that’s weather-resistant, easy to maintain and suited to the size of your space. Materials such as aluminum, woven resin, teak or galvanized steel are preferred for their durability.
For a small space, opt for :
Foldable or stackable furniture
Bench seats with integrated storage compartments
Hanging plants or wall-mounted planters
Exterior mirrors to visually enlarge the space
Choose a combination of perennials, grasses, potted shrubs and herbs. Potted olive trees, boxwood, lavender or bamboo create a Mediterranean ambience and are easy to maintain.
Play with :
String lights or solar lanterns
Outdoor cushions and rugs
Candles or braziers
Natural colors and warm materials such as wood and rattan
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