The terrace becomes an outdoor living room
One step out of the house and we are already in the fresh air. When the temperatures rise in spring, many people like to swap the cosy sofa for a sunny spot outside. Lucky are those who find an attractive terrace with pretty furniture and well-thought-out planting. For everyone else, it's time to get to work: Get to work! With a little energy and creativity, you will soon be able to relax here.
A new floor covering for the terrace
Wooden planks, WPC (Wood Polymer Composites), ceramic tiles, natural stone or concrete slabs? The right flooring underlines the style of the terrace. However, with the large selection in the trade, the decision can sometimes be difficult. Each type of decking has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of weather resistance and maintenance intensity:
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Cosy ambience, lively effect, does not heat up in summer | High-maintenance, greys over the years, splintering possible, stable substructure necessary |
| WPC | Easy care, warm look, quick to install | Cönts can look artificial, product quality varies depending on manufacturer, stable substructure necessary |
| Concrete | Weather resistant, low maintenance | High weight |
| Ceramic | Robust, durable, frost resistant, easy to clean | Slippery when wet, dark tiles can heat up, installation requires precision |
The transition from the terrace to the garden can be higher or lower, depending on the terrain. However, steps can be dangerous tripping hazards. Accessibility is becoming increasingly important, especially in old age. If this is important to you, make sure when redesigning the terrace decking that you can later access the outdoor area from the house at ground level or via a ramp.
Furniture and accessories to feel good
It is advisable to divide the terrace into zones (e.g. dining area, sunbathing area, barbecue area or fireplace). Then you can think about furniture, plants and decoration. The most important aspects when choosing furniture are durability, comfort and, of course, appearance. For your dining area, you need a table and chairs or benches that fit harmoniously into the overall concept of your terrace. But the furniture should also be adapted to the size of the terrace. A small table with delicate chairs quickly looks lost on a large terrace, while a small terrace can look cluttered with bulky garden furniture.
Lounge furniture, hanging chairs or sun loungers with comfortable cushions and pads are suitable for relaxing and reading. Beautiful colour combinations and patterns spice up your terrace and make it look homely. A small side table is useful for putting down a drink or sunglasses. An outdoor rug also increases the feel-good factor at your new favourite spot. These water-repellent and UV-resistant rugs made of jute, sisal or synthetic fibres are specially designed for outdoor use. Great for keeping your feet warm in the evening!
Of course, your terrace should not be without lighting. Candles, fairy lights, LED lamps, solar lights, lanterns, lanterns and other light sources conjure up a cosy atmosphere. If you have the space, you can also set up a fire bowl or an outdoor fireplace on the terrace and position various seating options around it.
A shade for sunny days
Ideally, terraces have a south-west orientation. Due to the high solar radiation, good shading is therefore important. There are various options for sun protection. Since fixed terrace canopies made of aluminium, glass or wood are unfortunately not quite cheap, many people opt for an awning, a high-quality parasol or an airy sun sail.
The practical thing about a parasol is that it can be placed flexibly. The advantage of a traffic light parasol is that the frame is on the side, leaving the area under the parasol free. This is particularly ideal for larger seating groups. Many of these umbrellas can be swivelled so that you can still sit in the shade when the sun has already moved on. A pergola covered with climbing plants can also help to shade the terrace.
Plants decorate the outdoor area
Flowers and plants ensure that your patio does not stand out too much from the surroundings, but blends smoothly into the adjacent green area. Before you place the plants on the terrace, you should find out about their light requirements. Some varieties tolerate a lot of sun (e.g. hibiscus or bladderwort), others thrive in shady places (e.g. holly or barberry). Flowering primroses, petunias, fuchsias, daisies, wood anemones, horned violets, chrysanthemums and other flowers provide a splash of colour on the terrace.
Ornamental grasses are also an attractive element in patio design. They are easy to care for, suitable for tubs or troughs and can even serve as privacy screens. For example, umbrella bamboo is suitable for sunny locations. It is hardy, opaque and grows up to two metres high. Zebra grass also grows upright and bushy. You'll almost feel like you're on holiday! A beautiful stone figurine, a patio fountain or a mini pond made from a wine barrel cut in half or a zinc tub are also decorative. You can fill it with water lilies, water hyacinths and other hardy pond plants.
A land of milk and honey for snacking
The aroma of home-grown vegetables is simply incomparable. If you don't have space in your garden to grow them, you can also do it on the terrace! The range of edible pot plants is growing and many people are discovering hobby gardening for themselves. Strawberries need very little space. A small pot or box is sufficient for them. The same goes for lettuce and rocket. You can also increase the height of your growing area with shelves.
Tomatoes and cucumbers, on the other hand, need a larger pot and a climbing aid. Carrots, radishes, chard, kohlrabi, beetroot and herbs can be grown in a small raised bed on the terrace. Use soil specially adapted to the vegetables (e.g. raised bed or vegetable soil) and remember to water them. The sight of the plump harvest will make your mouth water!
Homemade Outdoor Decoration
Would you like a floating lantern for the terrace? Paint an empty tin can with waterproof paint and drill different motifs into it with a nail (use a hammer). The light will shine through here later. Make a hole a little below the top edge on the right and left and attach a wire to hang it up. Now just place a candle inside and enjoy.
If you like bird watching, why not create a colourful bird feeder for the flying guests on your terrace? You can buy ready-made bird house bodies. You will need napkins, napkin varnish, coloured varnish and weatherproof clear varnish. First paint the bird house with the coloured varnish and then, after it has dried, decorate selected areas with the napkin technique. First brush the surface with the napkin varnish. Then cut out the desired motif from the napkin and peel off the top printed layer. Place the motif on the varnish and press it down lightly. When dry, apply another layer of napkin varnish (over the motif). Finally, paint the birdhouse with a weatherproof clear varnish so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
In the early stages, when only a few lice have settled, you can carefully wipe them off with your fingers or spray them off. For a more severe infestation, this homemade „spray“ can help: Mix a litre of water with 20 ml soft soap and a dash of methylated spirits and spray the lice directly with it. You can also buy ready-made biological products against pests in the shops.
Use special potting soil for flowers. It contains an extra portion of nutrients. This promotes a lush floral display. After about two months, you can replenish with plant fertiliser or fertiliser pellets. If you pluck off any faded buds, new buds will form more quickly.
A slight slope towards the garden or lawn is important so that the rainwater can drain off well and the terrace dries faster. The slope should be around 2 to 2.5 %. For natural stone slabs, it should be around 3 % due to the rough surface.
With an insect hotel or similar shelter you can ensure that a new generation of wild bees grows over the winter months. Place the hive outdoors in a draught-protected and preferably roofed place, for example on the wall of the house or on the shed.
Lacquered wood can be sanded and painted. Untreated wood can be treated with a flat iron. First sand the surface a little, put a damp cloth on the area and press the edge of the iron on the dents a few times (never directly on the wood). Then let it dry and sand it down.
Conclusion
Finally! As soon as nature blossoms in spring, we make ourselves comfortable on the terrace. To ensure that this place is not just a place to sit, but a place to relax and recharge, there are a few things to consider when planning and designing. While flowers and plants provide colour, chic furniture and loving accessories determine the individual look. This is how your terrace becomes an open-air summer paradise!
