A well-designed terrace is like an oasis of calm amid the bustle of the busy city. Give this outdoor zone a facelift with nature-inspired furnishing, comfy lounges and entertainment areas.
- Set up a garden
A green garden on the rooftop brings in a feeling of calm and peace while enhancing the overall experience of your home. Instead of just growing a lawn, which often causes roof-load and moisture-management issues, try to bring in a Zen garden. Also referred to as ‘rock’ or ‘dry landscape’ gardens, they spruce up the look of the terrace with a harmonious balance of gravel, boulders and rocks with shrubs, plants and grass. In this picture, sustainable garden design use pebbles and pavers interspered with patches of greenery to make a charming Japanese-inspired garden. You can lay down faux grass in some parts, which is low-maintenance and budget-friendly, too.
Tip: Dot the area with matkas (clay pots) for the Indian touch. A water feature, a mini fountain or even an earthen bowl filled with water will help take down stress levels many notches.
- Green up the walls
Celebrate seemingly restrictive architectural features such as parapets, walls and dividers and use them to your advantage to create a green zone. Spaces Architects@ka transforms this terrace by growing a living wall that is complemented by bamboo plants for a countryside vibe. (The giant bamboo Bambusa vulgaris has many cousins, which come in gorgeous varieties of shape, colour and size; so go splurge.) Consider growing climbers and creepers along the parapets – think flowering bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea glabra) or lush curtain creepers (Vernonia elaeagnifolia). If your ambition is a bit muted, you could set old cans and containers in frames on the wall or on a rack, or hang potted plants on the wall, to start your own herb or flower garden.
- Fence the borders
Tightly packed buildings in the heart of a city are often a hindrance to privacy. Fencing the terrace boundaries with wooden slats and other natural materials can give the zone a warm and cosy feeling without it being too restrictive. In the image, SPASM uses timber fencing to create a natural jaali that provides a much-needed sense of openness without intruding on the owners’ privacy. The spaces in between the fencing allow natural ventilation.
Tip: To create a private terrace, you could also grow tall plants along the fence to create a leafy enclosure. You might use jute sheets or creepers on a wire trellis to segregate areas.
- Convert it into a jacuzzi area
Convert the terrace into a make-shift spa with a hot tub or a jacuzzi. In this space, Secret Gardens places a jetted whirlpool bath strategically close to the edge so it feels like an infinity pool. Of course, it helps that this space overlooks a view like that. The wooden flooring around the tub doubles as a deck where you can place a beach chair or throw some cushions to laze around. If you live in a place high in humidity or rain, replace the wood with low-maintenance tiles or stone.
Tip: Inflatable pools are great for those hot summer afternoons, too.
- Go for a restful lounge
Considering the tropical Indian weather, resilient and comfortable wicker furniture is a sensible choice for outdoor areas like terraces. Here, Fadd Studio sets up a relaxed lounge area using wicker sofas, chairs and a coffee table. Beige cushions and mattresses offset the black furniture and also ensure comfort, an essential for lounging zones.
Tip: Up the aesthetic appeal with a sculpture or even a few topiary bushes.
- String up a hammock
For me, the even a tiny terrace becomes a perfect lounge area if it has a swing or, even better, a hammock. What spells relaxation better than lounging in a hammock with a long cool drink and a favourite read? Go for hammocks and swing chairs, like in this Bates Masi terrace, for that sense of playful fun and invitation to chill out.
- Add a playground
Here, Eldridge London devises a stepped garden done up in wood. The raised wooden platform-containers provide a base for greenery and gravel. Some of the in-between area is used for a stainless-steel slide and there’s a sandpit at the bottom!
- Create a pergola bar
Bring in a pergola that can be used as a bar area or even an outdoor barbecue station. In this image, NA+P Architects erects a pergola with wooden support cross-beams and pillars and an etched-glass roof for a decorative touch. The glass provides good cover on rainy days and saves precious outdoor furniture.
- Light it up
Illuminate the terrace with accent and statement lights – think sconces (that reflect the light upwards) or even lights to illuminate your plants just like what Pineapple House Boutique Hotel have done.
- Bring in a birdhouse or birdbath
Make the most of the openness to the sky and invite some birds in. Hang a birdhouse or perch one on a pole; set up a feeder and enjoy hours of bird watching. If there is some space to spare – and it doesn’t take much – you could also set up a stone or earthen birdbath.
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