Immerse yourself in the pages of your favorite book, have a smoke with the kids, or organize a small picnic for friends. How to use a terrace in the city and turn it into a relaxation space?
According to real estate experts, terraces especially increase the value of a home and turn the unattractiveness of the first floors into a major advantage.
“Terraces can be of various sizes – from a few to 100 square meters. Most often, apartments in apartment buildings are equipped with terraces of 8–15 sq. m on the ground floor. This area is sufficient to create a recreational space,” says Darius Ibėnas, architect at the real estate development company “Eika”.
Like your own backyard
In the warm season, a terrace can become another room, usually an extension of the living room or dining room to the outdoors. According to the architect, homeowners are increasingly seeking to create a space on the terrace that is as similar to their own yard as possible.
“Greenery, wooden floors, meals prepared on site. Everything you want when you’re outside, with the sun shining outside the window. It’s like a summer living room, because why spend your evenings indoors when you can chat with family and friends, eat delicious food, and watch the city skyline?” asks the architect.
Ibėnas points out that, depending on the size, the terrace can be transformed into a traditional relaxation area with armchairs and a coffee table or a quiet place for family gatherings with a large table: “Or maybe even a party place where many friends will gather. It all depends on the needs of the owners,” says the architect.
He remembers that in the project being developed in Pilaitė, the owners dug a small pond and raised fish, and in Santariškės, they planted tomatoes. “Parents often use the terrace as a playground for their children, where they can run around. Of course, you need to fence the space and take care of their safety,” the architect points out.
Furniture and lighting
A cozy terrace is unimaginable without outdoor furniture, the design of which changes depending on fashion trends.
“Previously, a terrace was associated only with massive wooden furniture, but now furniture of various shapes and designs, similar to that of a dining room or living room, is more often chosen. It is important that it is made of durable materials that are resistant to rain or sun. Terraces are also made cozy by various screens that help separate spaces. Umbrellas, gazebos or awnings protect from the sun,” says the architect of “Eika”.
A very important accent of the terrace is lighting. This is especially relevant on clear and warm summer nights. A romantic atmosphere on the terrace can be created by candlesticks and outdoor lamp compositions. They not only perform their direct function, but often also become decorative elements.
Hammocks or cradles can also turn a terrace into a relaxing oasis, if there is a place to hang them. If the terrace is larger and the owners like to relax in the sun, sun loungers will be suitable.
Small garden
A terrace is the perfect place to let your gardener’s imagination run wild. Plants add to the ambiance of a terrace, but it’s best to choose low-maintenance plants.
“If you leave a simple potted flower on the terrace on a hot day, it may already be wilted the next morning. Homeowners usually choose coniferous plants that do not need to be watered very often. Of course, you can also grow herbs on the terrace, which are perfect for seasoning food and will look like a small garden,” says D. Ibėnas.