Traditional Terrace Ideas and Designs

Traditional Outdoor Structure with masonry gas fireplace & outdoor Kitchen
Photo of a medium sized classic back terrace in Seattle with a fire feature.

LAKEVIEW [reno]

Omega Construction and Design, Inc.

Animal Cribs on Animal Planet Bathroom Project

J & M Remodel

Small classic back terrace in Seattle with an outdoor shower and no cover.

Find the right local pro for your project

Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz

Upscale Transitional

Arjay Builders Inc.

This is an example of a large classic wire cable railing terrace in Omaha with a fire feature, feature lighting and a roof extension.

Deck Remodel - Large Wrap-Around Second Story Deck

Integrity Custom Builders LLC

The two previous separate decks had been connected with half flights of stairs that led to an adjoining landing and a single flight of stairs from the landing. We created more square footage on the deck by moving the stairway out and changing it to a single stairway.

Lost Creek - Kennesaw, GA

Outback Deck, Inc.

Photo of a medium sized classic back terrace in Atlanta with a potted garden and no cover.

3800 T St NW

Red House Staging

Inspiration for a classic side terrace in DC Metro with no cover.

McCalla Custom Home

Mareno Construction

Inspiration for a large traditional back terrace in Birmingham with a roof extension.

Deck & Pergola w/ Privacy Wall for Hot Tub: Marion, TX

Diamond Decks

Diamond Decks can make your backyard dream a reality! It was an absolute pleasure working with our client to bring their ideas to life. Our goal was to design and develop a custom deck, pergola, and privacy wall that would offer the customer more privacy and shade while enjoying their hot tub. Our customer is now enjoying their backyard as well as their privacy!

Schroeder

Noble Heritage Builders Inc.

Exterior deck elevation with stone-wood post columns
Photo of a classic back terrace in Other with a roof extension.

Round Hill, Virginia

TREX COMPANY INC

Trex Select composite deck in Pebble Grey with Trex Select railing in Classic White and Pebble Grey cocktail rail. This deck also features Trex Outdoor Furniture from the Rockport, Cape Cod and Monterey Bay collections.

Cool Composite Deck with Fire Pit

Kona Contractors

Central fire pit on composite deck
Inspiration for a large classic back metal railing terrace in Denver with a fire feature and an awning.

Cobb County GA Marvin Multi-Slide Door

AVI Windows & Doors

AVI Windows and Doors offers the Marvin Ultimate Multi-Slide door. Smoothly slide it open and invite into your home expansive views, Available in configurations up to 56 feet wide and 12 feet high, stacked or pocket design.

Ocean Front Custom Home

Bunting Construction Co.

Photo of a large classic back terrace in Atlanta with a roof extension.

Past Projects

Rossmore Construction LLC

Inspiration for a medium sized traditional back terrace in Boston with no cover.

Perrysburg Sanctuary

Signature Decks

Inspiration for a small traditional back terrace in Other with no cover.

Hayfield Covered Patio & Pool

Gasper Landscape Design and Construction

Rob Cardillo
This is an example of a medium sized classic back terrace in Philadelphia with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Trex Decking

TWG Construction LLC

Photo of a medium sized classic back terrace in Denver with no cover.

Warren, NJ - Bluestone patio & walkway with fire pit and water feature

Parker Landscape Design

Natural Cleft Bluestone random pattern patio & walkway, LED mood lighting, landscape design & construction, masonry fire pit, seating wall and planter using cultured stone veneer, new composite deck installed wit water proofed understory, Bluestone steps, drainage installation, outdoor TV, cultured stone veneer on foundation walls of house

Traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional design ideas, furniture, plants and accessory options to think about.

How do I decorate or design a traditional 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 traditional 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.

Landscape Project - Stoughton, MA

Provost Companies, Inc.

Design ideas for a medium sized classic back terrace in Boston with no cover.

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.