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.



Whether you want inspiration for planning a traditional terrace renovation or are building a designer terrace from scratch, Houzz has 4,178 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Erell et Rozanne - Jardins essentiels and Pippa Schofield Garden Design. Look through terrace photos in different colours and styles and when you find a traditional terrace design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful traditional terrace ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.