With the arrival of spring and summer, nature awakens, and invites us to visit more often and enjoy its beauty. The closest trip to nature is a walk to your garden, terrace, or balcony – an outdoor space that brings refreshment and the calming effects of the colors, scents, and sounds of Mother Nature. In this interior designer’s article, discover a few tips on how to design beautiful gardens, terraces, and balconies. 🙂
Design Tips for Arranging Gardens, Terraces, and Balconies
The design of these ‘home landscapes’ consists of complementary elements, such as fences, walls, terrace and balcony coverings, flooring, lighting, plant arrangements, furniture, and decorative accessories. In this article, we will highlight furniture that makes socializing with family and friends more comfortable, as well as other activities, like reading or relaxing after a hard day’s work. In collaboration with the Design & Travel Communications and the Community of Interior Designers (ZADIN), we present some design tips for arranging gardens, terraces, and balconies.
Size and Position of Outdoor Spaces and Their Intended Activities
The design of outdoor spaces starts with considering their size, placement, and the activities they are meant for. For example, if you want to turn a small balcony into a space for socializing, dining, and relaxing, it’s important to know the exact measurements of the space when choosing furniture. Also, when selecting colors for small outdoor areas, apply the same principle as for small interiors; light and cool colors will make the space feel more open.
When setting up a terrace with a dining table and chairs, remember that there should be at least 90 cm of clearance on each side from the edge of the table to the wall or fence. This ensures more comfortable seating and easier movement around the table.
For larger terraces or courtyards, it’s best to divide the space into two zones—one for dining and one for socializing and relaxing.
Materials and Colors
Among the furniture for outdoor spaces, there are various chairs, deck chairs, tables, and coffee tables made of weather-resistant materials. Aluminum and wrought iron are the most common metals in outdoor design. Teak is the optimal choice of wooden furniture.
Furniture made of bamboo and rattan is recommended for glazed gardens and terraces (for instance, winter gardens), where it will be sheltered from rain and morning dew.
Cushions ‘dressed’ in natural fabrics such as cotton and linen and lots of greenery are a treat for the eyes. In terms of colors, among the best choices are neutral and earthy tones (light and dark, depending on the size of the outdoor space), as well as tints, tones, and shades of green, blue, and purple. Enjoy designing your lovely outdoor space. Greetings from Danica! 🙂
I wrote the original article (in Croatian) for Hausbau magazine.
Visualizations: Lucija Kolenić, Interior Designer – Designed by Luce (Dizajnira Luce), Member of the Community of Interior Designers (ZADIN)
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