Photo by archer10 (Dennis) via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)Setting up a terrace does not necessarily require a large budget. A few well-thought-out choices are enough to transform an outdoor space.
In brief
- Prioritise items based on available budget rather than doing everything at once.
- Bet on potted plants to green up the space without construction work.
- Choose second-hand or modular furniture.
- Add simple lighting to extend use into the evening.
- Save costly flooring for a second phase, if needed.
Prioritising the design items
Rather than funding everything at once, it is more realistic to prioritise: furniture and planting first, then possibly flooring or a pergola later, once budget becomes available.
Greening the space without construction work using potted plants
| Plant type | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Perennials | Low maintenance, return every year |
| Climbing plants | Create vertical privacy |
| Aromatic herbs | Useful day to day, low cost |
Potted plants allow a terrace to be greened up quickly, with no structural work, and can be moved around according to the seasons or preferences.
Betting on second-hand or modular furniture
Second-hand furniture, available on peer-to-peer sales platforms, often allows furnishing a terrace at a lower cost. Modular or foldable furniture is also a practical option for small outdoor spaces.
Simple lighting to extend evenings
String lights, solar lamps or candle holders are enough to create a pleasant atmosphere in the evening, with no need for complex electrical installation.
Thinking of the outdoors as an extension of the home
This small-budget design approach ties in with the principles applied indoors to optimise storage in a small space, with the same goal: making the most of every available square metre.