Design Ideas for Smaller Terraces

Smaller terraces and patios may require more thought than a larger garden, but a little care and attention can transform even the tiniest of spaces into an outdoor haven, providing you with a little bit of respite where you can escape and unwind. It often comes down to the small details and how you use every inch of space to its full potential - taking care still to avoid over-cluttering.

Think about multi-functional furniture that can be used both indoors and outdoors, as this will help save on storage space in the winter months. Danish brand Cane-line offers a great selection of furniture that can be used both inside and out, making sure you get the full use of your purchase all year round. Or keep some oversized floor cushions stored away in an outdoor container that you can scatter on the ground for additional seating for the children.

Pictured above: Cane-line's Chill Out Coffee Table with Moments Corner Sofa, and Crocus'  Wonderwall Vertical Planting Starter Kit 

Even in a small outdoor space, you can still enjoy alfresco dining. Invest in expandable dining tables such as the Copenhagen Teak by Cane-line - simply open up the collapsable ends when guests come over and place them back down for a space-saving solution once they're gone. Or embrace innovative designs with multifunctional features such as the Chill Out coffee table with a height-adjustable table top, transforming it from a coffee table into a sofa work zone or dining surface in an instant.

Corner seating such as the Horizon Corner Sofa will also make the most of space in a small garden. Place it at the edge of a courtyard garden to keep all your seating confined to one area, with plenty of room for family and friends to relax. Add an outdoor rug to help zone the space, clearly defining the purpose of each area.

Build raised flower beds surrounded by thick walls that can double up as additional seating for when guests come over. Keep some cushions to hand that you can easily pop on top for comfort and plant flowers and shrubs of varying heights for a layered effect that will draw the eye up, creating the illusion of extra height and space.

And if you don’t have the space for flower beds but want to introduce greenery alongside seating, consider creating a living wall by fitting a horizontal fence panel on the side of a fence or wall. The Wonderwall Vertical Planting Starter Kit by Crocus is ideal if you’re a green-fingered novice. Or place a planter under a window alongside hanging baskets and potted plants that can easily be moved if you need to add additional seating when entertaining.