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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Terrace
  3. Size: Compact

Small Contemporary Terrace Ideas and Designs

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Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 4
Contemporary back garden, Wimbledon, 4
Kate Eyre Garden DesignKate Eyre Garden Design
Photo of a small contemporary back terrace in London with a fire feature.
Trellis & Deck Area - Southwest View
Trellis & Deck Area - Southwest View
Krueger ArchitectsKrueger Architects
Unlimited Style Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary back terrace in Los Angeles with a fire feature and a pergola.
Hot Tub Retreat
Hot Tub Retreat
Chicago Roof Deck & GardenChicago Roof Deck & Garden
Hot Tub with Modern Pergola, Tropical Hardwood Decking and Fence Screening, Built-in Kitchen with Concrete countertop, Outdoor Seating, Lighting Designed by Adam Miller
Freeport Tiny House
Freeport Tiny House
Marvin Design Gallery by Eldredge LumberMarvin Design Gallery by Eldredge Lumber
Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
Photo of a small contemporary back terrace in Portland Maine with no cover.
House 2022
House 2022
House of OriginHouse of Origin
Outdoor living with repurposed timber privacy screen and chunky BBQ bench. Fiona Susanto
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard terrace in Sydney with a potted garden and no cover.
Cheyne Terrace, Chelsea
Cheyne Terrace, Chelsea
Randle SiddeleyRandle Siddeley
Design ideas for a small contemporary back terrace in London with a living wall and no cover.
Modern Outdoor Kitchen
Modern Outdoor Kitchen
Michael Norpell's Wall To WallMichael Norpell's Wall To Wall
Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan
This is an example of a small contemporary back terrace in Other with no cover and a bar area.
superba avenue renovation VENICE
superba avenue renovation VENICE
mox construction incmox construction inc
Mox Meschler
Inspiration for a small contemporary back terrace in Los Angeles with no cover.
Small remote Guest House/Studio
Small remote Guest House/Studio
Belluschi ConsultingBelluschi Consulting
Blaine Truitt Covert
Photo of a small contemporary terrace in Portland with a roof extension.
Jamaica Plain Transformation
Jamaica Plain Transformation
Nilsen Landscape Design, LLCNilsen Landscape Design, LLC
The steps along one side of the hot tub lengthen out into a platform to make entry and exiting the tub easy
Design ideas for a small contemporary back terrace in Boston with a pergola.
Trellis & Firepit Area - West View
Trellis & Firepit Area - West View
Krueger ArchitectsKrueger Architects
Unlimited Style Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary back terrace in Los Angeles with a fire feature and a pergola.
Coburg Frieze
Coburg Frieze
Mihaly SlocombeMihaly Slocombe
Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.
Jardin urbain minimaliste
Jardin urbain minimaliste
Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes ConcepteursAgence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs
Photo of a small contemporary terrace in Marseille with no cover.
14 Monroe Street - Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Brownstone "Gut" Renovation
14 Monroe Street - Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Brownstone "Gut" Renovation
All Renovation Construction LLCAll Renovation Construction LLC
This is an example of a small contemporary back terrace in New York with no cover.
Inside Outside
Inside Outside
Bright Green GardenBright Green Garden
A lower deck, further down the garden, provides a shady spot to sit among the plants. © Deb Cass
Design ideas for a small contemporary back terrace in Surrey.
Horizontal Deck Railing In Bloomfield Hills
Horizontal Deck Railing In Bloomfield Hills
Great Lakes Metal FabricationGreat Lakes Metal Fabrication
The home’s modest proportions call for appropriate deck treatment. But discreet pops of color hint at an exciting interior. In the same way, the horizontal metal rail fades at distances but up close makes a statement.

To read more about this project, click here or start at the Great Lakes Metal Fabrication metal railing page.
Ground Level Pool Deck
Ground Level Pool Deck
Back To Nature DecksBack To Nature Decks
Design ideas for a small contemporary back terrace in Philadelphia with no cover.
container gardens
container gardens
City & Estate GardenerCity & Estate Gardener
Small contemporary back terrace in Providence with a potted garden and no cover.
Rooftop Gardens
Rooftop Gardens
Aralia: Innovation in Landscape DesignAralia: Innovation in Landscape Design
Aralia Gardens Limited. www.aralia.org.uk
Photo of a small contemporary roof rooftop terrace in Hertfordshire with a fire feature.
Contemporain Terrasse En Bois Et Balcon
Contemporain Terrasse En Bois Et Balcon
Small contemporary back terrace in Toulouse with a potted garden and a pergola.

Small 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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