Terraces are a trendy way to expand the square footage of your home and take advantage
of the outside space on a daily basis, enjoying the outdoors while still being
at home. There is a great amount to consider when thinking about designing a terrace,
and this series of articles is arranged to help you with that very task. We will
be discussing all of the things you need to take into consideration in terms of
the design of your terrace, managing your budget, how to do it in a 'green' way,
as well as the many decorating ideas and innovations in outdoor living that have
come about in recent years. Designing a trendy and chic terrace can be a fun project,
and can be done by any home owner - you do not need to live in the downtown Toronto lofts to have the stylish type of terrace you have always wanted.
The first factor to consider is where to put the terrace. One trend that has
been growing in popularity is the rooftop terrace. This is a perfect solution
if space around your house is limited - if you cannot build out, why not build
up? No matter where your terrace goes, having a solid plan in place is a sure
way to succeed. You wouldn't dream of randomly decorating a room in your house
without planning it out beforehand. The same should also be true when creating
a garden terrace from scratch. A well-designed terrace looks like a picture,
and can be achieved by following a few simple steps. Together we'll discover
some tricks of the trade, and once you've got the grips on the basics,
we'll take a look at the wide range of garden and terrace styles to inspire
you in your own design. You can also take an idea from elsewhere (a neighbor's
yard or decor magazine) and add you own flair, perhaps bright orange lounge
chairs. Or maybe you want to decorate with words by stenciling inspiring sayings
on the gate or fences.
As far as design itself, the possibilities are simply endless. Perhaps you
want to have water as a main element in your terrace design, with plenty of
fountains, pools and streams (where this is possible). Your inspiration from
this may have come from the outside world, and carrying natural themes through
the terrace will give it that natural connectedness you are looking for. For
instance, perhaps you have always loved water, and used to live close to a bridge.
Condos are being put up between you and the bridge, and you want to preserve
the quaintness of that bridge, so you put a small version of this city design
into your terrace. Now you have a mini bridge that is all yours, and it is useful
for crossing the river that surrounds your new terrace. Looking around your
community for natural inspiration is a great way to get going on designing a
terrace that you will love for years to come.
If you want your terrace to have a theme, such as a Japanese Zen garden, finding
the right plants and stones for the garden is essential. Try to find stones
that are covered with moss or lichen, as these will give that ancient ambiance
to your terrace. There are many themed terraces that you could toy with until
you find the one that is right for you. Remember that even your Toronto waterfront condominiums could have a rooftop terrace - a green space to get away from the
concrete jungle of urban living.
Whether you are living in an Etobicoke condominium or a Vancouver Victorian
home, all of the information you will need for designing a terrace to suit your
needs and budget can be found amongst these pages, and you may find a little
inspiration as well!
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