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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Terrace
  3. Budget: ££

Affordable Contemporary Terrace Ideas and Designs

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Gazebos, Cabanas & Lanais
Gazebos, Cabanas & Lanais
American Deck and PatioAmerican Deck and Patio
Black Aluminum Trellis & Fiberon Beach house decking
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back terrace in Baltimore with a pergola.
Campbells Bay Bush Residence
Campbells Bay Bush Residence
Creative ArchCreative Arch
Photo of a medium sized contemporary side terrace in Auckland with a roof extension.
Sweat Mountain Rooftop Deck
Sweat Mountain Rooftop Deck
TimberTownTimberTown
Rooftop Deck with Fortress Aluminum Railing and Cable Railing. Built by Home Specialists
This is an example of a small contemporary roof terrace in Atlanta with no cover.
Sweat Mountain Rooftop Deck
Sweat Mountain Rooftop Deck
TimberTownTimberTown
Rooftop Deck with Fortress Aluminum Railing and Cable Railing. Built by Home Specialists
Photo of a small contemporary roof terrace in Atlanta with no cover.
Rosalie Plinth House
Rosalie Plinth House
Arcke Pty LtdArcke Pty Ltd
Scott Burrows
Photo of a medium sized contemporary terrace in Brisbane with a roof extension.
Abriter un patio du soleil et de vis à vis
Abriter un patio du soleil et de vis à vis
ExonidoExonido
Photo client
Contemporary courtyard terrace in Marseille.
Urban Oasis
Urban Oasis
Modern NestModern Nest
Zeke Ruelas
Inspiration for a large contemporary back terrace in Los Angeles with no cover.
Contemporary Master Suite Addition in El Segundo, CA.
Contemporary Master Suite Addition in El Segundo, CA.
Custom Design & ConstructionCustom Design & Construction
The homeowners had just purchased this home in El Segundo and they had remodeled the kitchen and one of the bathrooms on their own. However, they had more work to do. They felt that the rest of the project was too big and complex to tackle on their own and so they retained us to take over where they left off. The main focus of the project was to create a master suite and take advantage of the rather large backyard as an extension of their home. They were looking to create a more fluid indoor outdoor space. When adding the new master suite leaving the ceilings vaulted along with French doors give the space a feeling of openness. The window seat was originally designed as an architectural feature for the exterior but turned out to be a benefit to the interior! They wanted a spa feel for their master bathroom utilizing organic finishes. Since the plan is that this will be their forever home a curbless shower was an important feature to them. The glass barn door on the shower makes the space feel larger and allows for the travertine shower tile to show through. Floating shelves and vanity allow the space to feel larger while the natural tones of the porcelain tile floor are calming. The his and hers vessel sinks make the space functional for two people to use it at once. The walk-in closet is open while the master bathroom has a white pocket door for privacy. Since a new master suite was added to the home we converted the existing master bedroom into a family room. Adding French Doors to the family room opened up the floorplan to the outdoors while increasing the amount of natural light in this room. The closet that was previously in the bedroom was converted to built in cabinetry and floating shelves in the family room. The French doors in the master suite and family room now both open to the same deck space. The homes new open floor plan called for a kitchen island to bring the kitchen and dining / great room together. The island is a 3” countertop vs the standard inch and a half. This design feature gives the island a chunky look. It was important that the island look like it was always a part of the kitchen. Lastly, we added a skylight in the corner of the kitchen as it felt dark once we closed off the side door that was there previously. Repurposing rooms and opening the floor plan led to creating a laundry closet out of an old coat closet (and borrowing a small space from the new family room). The floors become an integral part of tying together an open floor plan like this. The home still had original oak floors and the homeowners wanted to maintain that character. We laced in new planks and refinished it all to bring the project together. To add curb appeal we removed the carport which was blocking a lot of natural light from the outside of the house. We also re-stuccoed the home and added exterior trim.
duplex parisien
duplex parisien
L'esprit au vertL'esprit au vert
Philippe Delage de Luget
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary roof terrace in Paris with a potted garden.
North East corner of the house
North East corner of the house
Enduring Domain ArchitectureEnduring Domain Architecture
The back deck is a private space for relaxing in the sun. The whole North side of the house is fitted with double glazing and eaves to let in wanted sun in winter and keep out the hot summer days. The vegetable boxes are thriving in the space between the new house addition and the back artist studio
2020 Somersworth Trex deck with Custom Curve Staircase
2020 Somersworth Trex deck with Custom Curve Staircase
Daydream Construction, Inc.Daydream Construction, Inc.
Trex Island Mist Decking with Winchester Grey Border, Post Cap and Riser Lights, White Trex Transcend Railings with Black Aluminum Balusters , Somersworth NH
Outdoor Cabinetry and BBQ
Outdoor Cabinetry and BBQ
Canfield Interiors Inc.Canfield Interiors Inc.
I designed an outdoor grilling and cooking station to be used on the top deck of this contemporary boathouse. I used DCS outdoor appliances, outdoor cabinetry custom manufactured by Thomas James Cabinetry and Lapitec Countertops and backsplash.
LEED-Qualified Green New Construction - Wilmette, IL
LEED-Qualified Green New Construction - Wilmette, IL
Scott Simpson Design + BuildScott Simpson Design + Build
Soaking up the sun on an elevated deck with solar panels and photovoltaic cells. Photo: Leslie Schwartz Photography
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary roof terrace in Chicago with a potted garden and no cover.
White Oak Deck
White Oak Deck
LA Kehres BuildingLA Kehres Building
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back terrace in Philadelphia with no cover.
Campagne Balcon
Campagne Balcon
Medium sized contemporary terrace in Bordeaux.
Lake Oswego Outdoor Oasis
Lake Oswego Outdoor Oasis
Coulee Concrete DesignCoulee Concrete Design
Outdoor kitchen with some curvy concrete countertops overlooking Lake Oswego
Large contemporary back terrace in Portland with an outdoor kitchen and no cover.
Contemporary Deck
Contemporary Deck
Small contemporary side ground level terrace in Melbourne with a roof extension and feature lighting.
Low Maintenance Deck Upgrade
Low Maintenance Deck Upgrade
Orange County Deck Co.Orange County Deck Co.
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back ground level metal railing terrace in New York with no cover.
Butterfly House
Butterfly House
DAS StudioDAS Studio
Inspiration for a large contemporary back terrace in New York with a potted garden and a pergola.
Pool Remodel - Backyard Design
Pool Remodel - Backyard Design
Southwest Fence & DeckSouthwest Fence & Deck
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back terrace in Dallas with a pergola.

Affordable Contemporary Terrace Ideas and Designs

There’s nothing quite like an outdoor space with a view and if you’re elevated up high then there’s more chance of getting that view. Even if you’re not blessed with a natural view from your home, an elevated space outdoors will at least give you the chance to survey the land in front of you; whether that’s a few square metres or whole acres! A terrace is one way of achieving this as it gives you the flat surface of a patio but elevated; either on a flat roof, as decking in your garden, or extending out from your house at ground level or higher. Whether a contemporary terrace is your only outside space and you want it to function as a garden or you’ll be using it as a dining or seating area, there are all sorts of contemporary design ideas, furniture, plants and accessory options to think about.

How do I decorate or design a contemporary roof garden?

UK homeowners are resourceful when it comes to outside space and will make the most of anything they can get their hands on, so it’s no wonder that in urban areas and cities we look to the roof for a place to get some rays. A contemporary roof terrace can work in just the same way as a decking area, but you just may need a few extra elements to make it more comfortable – a way of shading an area from the sun, perhaps a parasol or sun shade, a touch of green to break up the stark nature of a roof, and a drainage system that will stop rain water collecting in colder months. If you want to create a whole garden on your roof you’ll be a little more restricted than when on ground level. Plants may have to remain potted, but you can find companies that design and install green roofs – systems that allow plants to be planted into the roof surface. However, green roofs can be costly and tricky to install, so stick to pots and raised flower beds if you want to stay on the safe side. Loungers, deck chairs and rattan chairs are great pieces of roof garden furniture as they’re portable and can be moved around your rooftop garden easily; perfect for sun chasers. However, if you want to create a larger sense of space for your roof terrace design, think about built-in benches or seating around the sides or a corner of your roof garden.

What to consider when designing garden decking

A decked garden area may look simple once finished, but there are so many factors to consider when it comes to putting together decking ideas. You’ll need to think about the materials you want to use, the balustrades or railings you might choose, whether you will have a raised deck and decking steps, and whether you want decking lights.

Which decking material is best?

Composite decking is a popular choice for outdoor deck material because it offers a combination of practicality and style. The boards are made of wood and plastic fibres so that the classic wooden look is kept but the plastic fibres mean they will be much more durable and easier to maintain than traditional hardwood. If you can’t resist the natural look and feel of hardwood decking boards, then yellow balau, iroko and ipe decking are suitable outdoor boards that will give you the classic feel of a traditional wooden deck. Remember, with hardwood decking you will regularly need to treat the wood to keep it clean, waterproofed and to maintain the colour. As wood is usually more of an investment than composite or plastic decking, it’s a good idea to speak to decking specialists or timber merchants because they will be able to advise you on the best wood for your design and how best to treat it. You may find that different decking materials are better to suited to different types of terraces; whether that’s on a roof, in the garden or on a balcony. Whether you are designing a terrace, balcony or decked garden area from scratch, or just looking to decorate what you already have, take a look through the photos on Houzz to find terrace and balcony ideas and inspiration.
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