As the weather warms up, the terrace turns into a favourite spot to relax. Every choice, from how you arrange the furniture to the type of flooring and plants you use, helps create a comfortable and stylish space. Take a look at 10 impressive makeovers to get inspired and make the most of your terrace this sunny season.
Regardless of whether your outdoor area features wood, stone, tile, or concrete, it has evolved into a vital extension of your home. Whether you reside in the city or the countryside, this area is designed for relaxation and connection.
Before renovating, evaluate factors such as sunlight, views, and terrain. Rather than working around these features, integrate them into your design. The following 10 before-and-after examples illustrate how even challenging spaces can become peaceful retreats with the right approach.
10 Transformed Terraces to Enjoy the Sun
1. Concrete slab and pebble terrace
The landscape architect maximised the potential of a 250-square-foot terrace. It simply needed updates to feel modern and inviting. After the renovation, the terrace boasts a lush green area and a wooden deck.
A few enhancements and a new garden lounge have transformed the atmosphere. The pergola was rebuilt with reclaimed chestnut wood, and the original climbing plants now flourish.
2. Large, underused terrace
Ideally located in a sunny southern region facing the mountains, the terrace had begun to deteriorate due to a lack of maintenance.
After: Summer room extending from the living room. Serving as a seamless transition between the interior and exterior, thanks to the restored original arches, this new summer room stands out with a minimalist design. With wooden furniture and travertine floors, it has become the perfect place to soak up the sun.
3. A need to redefine the garden space
The owners felt their expansive Mediterranean garden lacked utility. They wanted an inviting living area with a terrace, a pool, and direct access to the house.
After the renovation, a wooden deck and pool shaded by plane trees now define the garden’s zones. Designers selected wood to preserve mature trees, ensuring abundant natural shade. Direct access from the house now makes the terrace ideal for sunny days.
4. A gloomy and cold terrace
This shadowy space in a historic coastal district lacked sunlight. The renovation aimed to give the south-facing terrace a bright, Mediterranean feel.
After: A sunlit, colourful, and verdant terrace. A design agency envisioned a vibrant, leafy oasis featuring a lemon-yellow tiled table as the focal point. With the addition of exotic plants and layered outdoor pillows, the terrace is now completely transformed.
5. Use as a storage room during a house renovation
This south-facing garden in the city centre had been underutilised by previous owners. Upon moving in, the new owners enlisted a team for a complete redesign.
After: A striking terrace in green and rust hues, featuring a new swimming pool and an outdoor dining area seamlessly connected to the living space. The exotic wooden deck and restored stone wall highlight the area. Elevated pillars support the terrace, protecting the stately olive tree at its centre. The dining table aligns with the pool’s edge, creating a harmonious setting.
6. A terrace with untapped personality
This roof terrace, accessible from a bedroom, already featured water and electricity connections. With visually striking materials, the terrace only required finishing touches.
After: A pergola defines the roof space. The supervising architect designed a shaded summer kitchen with a coconut fiber pergola. The bar, clad in traditional white glazed tiles, provides a sink, cooktop, dishes, refrigerator, and freezer. This area is lively from morning to evening.
7. The beginnings of an existing wooden deck
This project began with an existing wooden base that dictated the rest of the renovation’s materials. The main challenge was the neighbourhood’s typical steep slope.
After: A welcoming terrace with Mediterranean ambience. Designed for a mild, sunny climate, it now includes a garden, pool, terrace, and outdoor seating, creating an ideal place for gatherings with family and friends.
8. Terraced garden with terracotta floors
This unfinished terrace, accessed by a set of steps, led to an upper area covered in old artificial grass.
After: Mediterranean terrace on two levels. Redesigned by a landscape firm, this expansive area is now a true living space. A new concrete bench and red dining table introduce colour, while the original terracotta floor remains. The upper level features fresh, quality artificial grass for a lush, low-maintenance finish.
9. A bare earth garden
With no prior living space, the goal of this garden renovation was clear: to craft an inviting outdoor sanctuary.
After: Green terrace with a pool and defined zones. Two areas now exist: one shaded by trees for dining, and another for relaxation. The hardwood deck is raised to balance the pool’s presence, finished with a wooden pergola and natural reed netting for summer seating.
10. A large, empty terrace on the top floor
This urban rooftop terrace had a scattering of plants but was largely overlooked for years.
After: A loft-style terrace featuring a custom wooden pergola supporting new climbing plants. This forms a sheltered, verdant outdoor dining space. The original stone wall remains, preserving the area’s authentic charm.
4 Pro Tips for Planning Your Terrace Renovation
Before renovating or buying new furniture, follow these planning tips to keep your project smooth:
1. Define Your “Zones”
Plan distinct zones for your terrace, just like rooms indoors. Decide where you’ll eat, relax, or cook outside. Use outdoor rugs, planters, or different decking materials to delineate these zones.
2. Choose the Right Materials for Your Climate
Materials react differently to the weather. If your terrace is exposed to direct sun, avoid dark metals that retain heat. Opt for weather-resistant hardwoods, light-colored stone, or high-quality composite decking that resists warping and fading.
3. Layer Your Lighting
Maximise terrace use after sunset with strategic lighting. Combine soft lighting such as string lights or lanterns with brighter lights for cooking or dining. This layering creates a cosy nighttime atmosphere.
4. Factor in Privacy
If you’re in the city or have neighbours nearby, consider adding privacy screens. Tall potted bamboo, wooden slat fences, or climbing vines on a trellis can quickly make your outdoor area feel more private and peaceful.
Final Thoughts
If I could offer a final thought on terrace design, it’s that the most successful transformations prioritise functionality as much as aesthetics. It’s easy to get caught up in picking perfect tiles or exotic wood, but the real magic happens when you respect the space’s natural constraints, such as tracking where the sun hits at 2 PM or working with a steep slope instead of fighting it.
That’s what turns a basic patio into a genuine extension of the home.