— Ideas & inspiration

Terrace

A terrace is defined by a hard-wearing outdoor floor plane, usually in stone, concrete, ceramic pavers, or timber decking, with clean edges and weather-resistant finishes. Its palette is typically grounded in neutral earth tones, greys, sand, and muted wood tones, chosen to sit between the house and the landscape. Railings, planters, seating, shade structures, and low retaining walls are the elements that give it shape and use.

terrace

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— References

References to explore

Ideas & inspiration

art nouveau store — terrace (urban) — terrace store art nouveau urban

modern house — terrace (urban) — terrace house modern urban

vintage apartment — terrace (urban) — terrace apartment vintage urban

colonial condo — terrace (mountain) — terrace condo colonial mountain

craftsman yard — terrace (desert) — terrace yard desert

art nouveau home — terrace (rural) — terrace home art nouveau rural

southwestern building — terrace (space) — terrace building southwestern space

farmhouse condo — terrace (desert) — terrace condo farmhouse desert

tropical penthouse — terrace (alpine) — terrace penthouse tropical alpine

farmhouse church — terrace (tropical) — terrace church farmhouse tropical

farmhouse office space — terrace (forest) — terrace office space farmhouse forest

bohemian office space — terrace (rural) — terrace office space bohemian rural

southwestern house — terrace (savanna) — terrace house southwestern savanna

japandi rooftop garden — terrace (urban) — terrace rooftop garden japandi urban

art deco church — terrace (savanna) — terrace church art deco savanna

colonial rooftop garden — terrace (rural) — terrace rooftop garden colonial rural

modern house — terrace (tropical) — terrace house modern tropical

rustic yard — terrace (savanna) — terrace yard rustic savanna

bauhaus apartment — terrace (space) — terrace apartment bauhaus space

eclectic theater — terrace (mountain) — terrace theater eclectic mountain

art deco farmhouse — terrace (forest) — terrace farmhouse art deco forest

minimalist hotel — terrace (alpine) — terrace hotel minimalist alpine

art deco hotel — terrace (forest) — terrace hotel art deco forest

industrial greenhouse — terrace (savanna) — terrace greenhouse industrial savanna

— The style

What defines it

Materials

Stone, poured concrete, ceramic pavers, timber decking, metal railings, and exterior-grade joinery are the most common choices.

Palette

Neutral and natural tones work best: grey, beige, off-white, charcoal, terracotta, and weathered wood finishes.

Combines with

Terraces pair well with gardens, courtyards, pools, sliding glass openings, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens.

— Professionals

Who has already built it

slade slade designBristol
contemporarysustainable
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LoftRobejoiners · Guildford · 4 projectsView profile →
Beneito Faurelighting designers · 2 projectsView profile →
Lusso Stonetile suppliers · Stocktonontees · 7 projectsView profile →
paquis norris group limitedbuilders · Reading · 3 projectsView profile →

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— Explore

Keep exploring

— Questions

Frequently asked questions

What makes a terrace different from a balcony or patio?

A terrace is usually a larger outdoor surface that sits at ground level, on a roof, or on a raised platform, and it is defined by its hardscape and direct use for outdoor living. A balcony is attached to an upper floor and projects from the facade, while a patio is typically a ground-level paved outdoor area.

Which materials hold up best on a terrace?

Durable, weather-resistant surfaces work best, such as natural stone, concrete, porcelain pavers, treated timber, and outdoor-rated metal details. The right choice depends on sun exposure, drainage, slip resistance, and how much maintenance you want to accept.

What should I think about when designing a terrace?

Focus on drainage, sun and wind exposure, privacy, and how the terrace connects to the rooms inside. Furniture layout, shade, lighting, and planter placement also matter because they determine how usable the space feels day to day.