How to arrange a nice terrace?
April 21, 2016
Whether it is a small balcony in the city or a vast open space in the garden, a terrace can become a real “living room” once the fine days of summer arrive. How can you make the most of it? How can you arrange it to make it as beautiful as it is enjoyable? Here are a few tips.
Broad trends
As with everything hom-related, terraces, their coverings and their furniture are all very influenced by trends. Today, they combine at least three aspects. First, natural features, both in materials and colors, is undeniable. Ecru, taupe, gray, wood or stone effects are among the most requested. Second, it is essential for the materials to be resistant and easy to maintain. Finally, both consumers and designers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the use of specific recyclable and renewable materials, whose environmental impact is as low as possible.
Choosing your materials
Both for a terrace’s flooring as well as for its furniture and decoration, choosing materials and products designed for outdoor use is essential. For example, the tiles must be slip-resistant and cold-resistant. Beware of cheap plastic tables and chairs that age badly. You also need to assess maintenance needs. While natural wood gives a unique finish, it requires yearly added protection. To overcome these drawbacks, new materials such as composite wood, made of a mixture of recycled wood particles and polymer resins, are both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Finally, stones come in a wide variety of colors and textures. However, they can be very expensive. Grating or concrete slabs are much cheaper!
Should you cover your terrace?
The solution to take advantage of your terrace as long as possible is to cover it well. Pergolas and awnings can allow you to stay outside even if it rains, or when it is a bit chilly. That said, with strong sunlight, they can give an unpleasant feeling of excessive heat. Bioclimatic pergolas with reclining blades allow you to adjust your terrace’s ventilation and exposure to sunlight. Depending on your space’s layout, you can either cover your entire terrace, or only its lounge area, for example. Remember to take your level of exposure to the wind into account!
What about decoration?
For furniture and decoration, almost anything is possible, always while taking into account the elements and your exposure. To move away from your tek coating, you could for example opt for wrought iron furniture, alongside some planters. It is also possible to play with different contrasts between light stone flooring and dark wicker furniture. Finally, many accessories can also help you create a very personal atmosphere, such as water fountains, whose soft murmurs will accompany your relaxation sessions, or hung lights and flower pots…
As for interior decoration, having a nice terrace is a matter of budget, taste and choice! Professionals can advise you to make the most of your terrace.
Broad trends
As with everything hom-related, terraces, their coverings and their furniture are all very influenced by trends. Today, they combine at least three aspects. First, natural features, both in materials and colors, is undeniable. Ecru, taupe, gray, wood or stone effects are among the most requested. Second, it is essential for the materials to be resistant and easy to maintain. Finally, both consumers and designers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the use of specific recyclable and renewable materials, whose environmental impact is as low as possible.
Choosing your materials
Both for a terrace’s flooring as well as for its furniture and decoration, choosing materials and products designed for outdoor use is essential. For example, the tiles must be slip-resistant and cold-resistant. Beware of cheap plastic tables and chairs that age badly. You also need to assess maintenance needs. While natural wood gives a unique finish, it requires yearly added protection. To overcome these drawbacks, new materials such as composite wood, made of a mixture of recycled wood particles and polymer resins, are both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Finally, stones come in a wide variety of colors and textures. However, they can be very expensive. Grating or concrete slabs are much cheaper!
Should you cover your terrace?
The solution to take advantage of your terrace as long as possible is to cover it well. Pergolas and awnings can allow you to stay outside even if it rains, or when it is a bit chilly. That said, with strong sunlight, they can give an unpleasant feeling of excessive heat. Bioclimatic pergolas with reclining blades allow you to adjust your terrace’s ventilation and exposure to sunlight. Depending on your space’s layout, you can either cover your entire terrace, or only its lounge area, for example. Remember to take your level of exposure to the wind into account!
What about decoration?
For furniture and decoration, almost anything is possible, always while taking into account the elements and your exposure. To move away from your tek coating, you could for example opt for wrought iron furniture, alongside some planters. It is also possible to play with different contrasts between light stone flooring and dark wicker furniture. Finally, many accessories can also help you create a very personal atmosphere, such as water fountains, whose soft murmurs will accompany your relaxation sessions, or hung lights and flower pots…
As for interior decoration, having a nice terrace is a matter of budget, taste and choice! Professionals can advise you to make the most of your terrace.