An open terrace is basically free real estate in this era of space crunch. It is nothing short of a blank canvas waiting to be painted by your imagination. You may choose to use this strategic location of your house as the garden, or you may set it up with outdoor furniture and transform it into an open room (think open bars, open movie theatres, etc.).
Similarly, some may use it as their quiet place to relax and rejuvenate – read a book, if you may – while others think of an open terrace as the hotspot for hosting parties and entertaining guests. No matter your preferences, the fact remains that it is a highly versatile area of your home that opens up a world of possibilities to expand your lifestyle. Anything is possible, provided your open terrace dresses the part.
Here are a few open terrace designs that offer you a preview of what is possible.
‘Back to Nature’ Open Terrace Design
Let’s begin with the small open terrace design ideas first. Here, we have a simple open terrace that makes the best of the limited space available. Even with very few elements involved, it bears a rustic charm that makes the space appear warm, inviting, and cosy. You will notice how everything is decked up in earthy shades of brown – the flooring, the bannister, and even the window frames.
Everything about this setup is raw and natural – from the railings to the windchime to the plant. One can easily imagine themselves in such a setting, reading a book or sipping on a cup of tea – this open terrace design is that accessible and appealing. It is easy to pull off without blowing up your bank, serves its purpose, promises easy maintenance, and is aesthetically pleasing. What more would one want?!?
‘Elegant Table for Two’ Open Terrace Design
Here’s yet another open terrace design for small houses and balconies in place of full-blown terraces. Even though there isn’t a lot going on in this tight space, its charm lies in the minimalism that opens the area up and makes it look larger. Add to it the fact that the clever use of black in the outdoor furniture makes the decor look sleek, chic, and modern.
Note how the plants are on the outside surface of the bannister, which allows you to have lush greenery without taking up space inside. You could get this look using railing planters or leaving a trough into the open terrace parapet wall design. It makes for an intimate nook that you can enjoy with your loved one while enjoying a romantic breakfast or dinner.
An Open Terrace Design with Vines
Plants are a great way to liven up a space. They add a dash of colour, come in various shades, and impart a hospitable ambience to the area. However, as much as we would want beautiful flowers and plants lining the sides of the terrace, it also creates bottlenecks in the carpet area by taking up space.
Clearly, it is not one of the most practicable small open terrace design ideas. However, what if we told you that it is possible to invite greenery into the open terrace without worrying about pots and such?
This first-floor open terrace design is a perfect example of it. This open terrace design makes excellent use of its location as the vines creep up from the ground floor. We particularly recommend vines as they are quite pliable to decorate, seeing how you can choose to drape them along the railing or let them fall to form a curtain. However, feel free to experiment with the foliage of your choice.
Tent on a Terrace
If you are some of the lucky few who have a home overlooking a majestic view, then this front open terrace design is almost godsent for you! Rather than leaving your open terrace bare, you can utilise this space to set up an outdoor camp that lets you enjoy the view in all its glory. You can get a taste of the fresh air and witness the warm glow of sunrise and/or sunset without leaving the comforts of your home.
As an example, we see this open terrace design that features a wigwam placed on a rug and a couple of throw pillows inside to make the space comfortable and homely. You will also notice the few fairy lights that add to the dreamy ambience, and you can even consider a firepit for a crackling bonfire. Everyone in your home – from kids to adults – will love the idea of setting camp at home and enjoying the occasional nightcap on the terrace if the weather permits!
An Open Terrace Design with a Pool
You don’t need a deep infinity pool to make your open terrace feel luxe. If anything, the open terrace design shown above is a classic example of space-efficient layouts. The swimming pool is shallow enough to wade so that you can enjoy the water feature and the area surrounding it, with the chairs and plants pretty much gels with the decor.
You also witness a stunning play of lights, with the lamp string up high and the underwater lighting in the pool. The mosaic pattern of the open sink and the swimming pool match each other and pop out from the background. If you think that even a narrow swimming pool is too much to take on, you can even have an open jacuzzi installed on the open terrace. Such a substitute would have nearly the same effect with a few more additional features (read jets!).
Pergola Design for an Open Terrace
The pergola design for an open terrace is extremely popular. It sports a simple construction of beams, rafters, and posts that offer shelter from the sun, wind, and rain. At the same time, it puts together an open-closed look to the terrace and extends your living quarters. Even though the structure is pretty basic and plain, there are several ways in which you can design the open terrace area with pergolas.
For instance, we can see how the vines weave through the beams to recreate a boulevard. Similarly, you can string up fairy lights, paper lanterns, and even candles for nighttime adventures on the open terrace. Cover the top with bamboo mats (aka chick mats) for an ad-hoc roof and hang curtains along the open walls and you get a private space that is as good as a room! Whichever approach you choose, the pergola design for an open terrace will come through and make the terrace stand out.
Lazy Hammocks on an Open Terrace
If you are looking for laidback open terrace design ideas, then this design would suit your palate. For starters, the open terrace is covered in an Indian-style pergola design with a thatched roof. As such, you can enjoy your time outside without worrying about rain or sun. The pergola beams and one side of the wall of the terrace come with hooks where you can hang hammocks.
Once this is set up, all you need to do is kick back and unwind – it is that easy to set up. The overall open terrace design is carefree and easygoing, which makes it perfect for beachside homes, bachelor pads, etc. While hammocks are a wonderful and temporary arrangement, you can also choose something more permanent with a couch swing, swing chairs, and pod swings, to name a few.
An Open Terrace Design with Textile Roof
Bamboo mats or thatched roofs are not the only coverings that you can install on pergola designs. You also have the option to use a textile roof to offer shade. In fact, you can install a textile roof even without pergola designs! Just a few poles at corners or frames on opposite sides can hold up this roof.
With fabric, you have the option to cover up the terrace or take down the covering – as you will – without too much effort (or skill). Or you can have an awning-style roof that can be manipulated by cranking a lever.
Plus, you can invest in waterproof material to protect the area from rain and snow. Interestingly, you can even wash this roofing material and reuse it, which is a distinct quality among the other options. If nothing else works, your open terrace design can feature patio umbrellas to localise coverage.
A Spacious Open Terrace Design
Here is one of those open terrace design ideas for villas and bungalows that boast of having ample space. In this open terrace design in Indian style, we see a baithak area furnished in some wicker-based flair that will make even some of the best-looking living rooms jealous. It is also worth mentioning that even though they may not seem to be the most “aesthetic” choice for some, wicker is perfect for any kind of outdoor seating or furnishing due to its durability and weather resistance. The cushions and throw pillows add to the cosy vibe of the open terrace while the lavish breakfast spread is a nice touch to give the area a “lived-in” look. It is almost as if this open terrace design is inviting us for breakfast!
The Party Host’s Open Terrace Design
If you wish to entertain guests on your open terrace, then this is the open terrace design for you. Don’t be fooled by its bare and basic design as we break it down for you. First, you have the barbecue stand where you can enjoy a nice outdoor cooking fest. With this feature, you can make sure that the guests are fed without missing out on socialising.
There is also a cosy seating space where the guests can rest while engaging in conversations. The remaining empty space could be where the others can stand, move around, and even dance! Throw in an open bar counter at a corner, and you are all set to part-aayy!
Closing Thoughts
We now come to a close on our list of open terrace design ideas that will transform the look and feel of your home. You can make your pick depending on the space available and the vision for the space. Whether you plan on covering it up or leaving it open so that you can enjoy the outdoors, an open terrace is an open opportunity to personalise your home and increase its utility. So don’t shy from capitalising on this opportunity to make your home unique.
If you are looking to get more value from the open terrace at home, then book a consultation with a HomeLane design expert to get custom recommendations.
FAQs
1. How Do You Beautify the Terrace?
Apart from the open terrace design ideas discussed above, there are many more ways in which you can beautify and decorate your terrace. Here are a few terrace decoration ideas:
- Add a lot of plants to the terrace – even set up a garden if you can
- Use artificial lawns and plants to make the terrace green
- Install fences to make your terrace private
- Set up a lounge using outdoor furniture, cushions, and lights
- Orchestrate an open social zone – for eating, hanging out, etc.
- Place decorative elements like planters, pottery, etc.
- Have an element of shade to use the terrace all year round
2. How Do You Build a Terrace Room?
You can build a temporary room on the terrace using bamboo, wood palettes, reed, and stretch fabric. We have discussed a few ideas above. For permanent solutions, you will have to get in touch with a contractor, as the task would be tougher than your average DIY project.
3. How Do You Renovate an Old Terrace?
You can renovate an old terrace by changing the style and decor of the space and using some tips shared above on beautifying the terrace. However, suppose you wish to renovate the terrace due to its age, structural defects, etc. In that case, we highly recommend getting in touch with a professional designer, such as the ones at HomeLane, to take on this project.
