The summer months are the perfect time to relax outdoors. Whether it’s an open balcony in the city, a spacious terrace in the countryside, or a small backyard, your terrace can become the heart of your home. How can you arrange it to be stylish, comfortable, and functional for all family members?
1. Start with a Purpose: Relaxing, Dining, or Play?
First, ask yourself: “What do you expect from your terrace? Do you want to relax there with a book? Host summer evenings with friends? Or create a space where children can play?” Choose your furniture and accessories accordingly. We’ve selected the main types of summer terraces based on their purpose to help you decide.
- Relaxation zone: comfortable seating, loungers, hammocks, a shade sail or pergola, low tables, decorative candles, and lanterns. Outdoor music is also a great addition — a Bluetooth speaker in a weatherproof case or a projector to create a private summer cinema.
- Dining area: a sturdy table, ergonomic chairs, lighting, and possibly a grill or a small outdoor bar. Dining on the terrace is becoming increasingly popular — add tableware, a cooler box, and weather-resistant textiles.
- Play terrace: a non-slip surface, rugs, cushions, toy and game storage boxes, and a creative chalkboard for drawing. Kids will also enjoy a small tent or teepee.
2. Big City or Small Village? Make the Most of Your Space!
In an Urban Environment
Balconies or terraces often offer limited space, so multifunctionality is key. Choose foldable or collapsible furniture, vertical greenery (shelves or living walls), compact solar lights, and versatile textiles. Visual order is also important, following the motto: less is more.
Tip: Use a mirror to visually enlarge the space and accessories in a matching style for harmony.
In the Countryside or a Family Home
A larger space offers more freedom to let your imagination run wild. You can go for timeless wooden pallets as the base for your seating area, large potted plants, swings, or even a children's paddling pool or outdoor shower. You can afford to create several zones — for example, a relaxation area, a play area, and a dining area. You can also enclose the family terrace with glass to create a conservatory, allowing you to enjoy it all year round.
3. Open vs. enclosed terraces
Open Terraces
A downside of open terraces, especially those located in attics or open courtyards, is the need for shading: umbrellas, awnings, pergolas with sails, or living walls made of climbing plants. Although the use of an open terrace is somewhat limited, durable fabrics and covers protect the furniture from wind and rain, while carefully chosen hardy flowers like geraniums or lavender create a pleasant atmosphere.
Enclosed Terraces
Winter gardens, glazed balconies, and terraces with windbreaks are ideal for year-round use. However, pay attention to proper ventilation and invest in sliding curtains and blackout films for privacy and temperature control. Electric heating or blankets can easily extend the season to the whole year.
4. Stylishly and Modern: Current Trends for the Summer Terrace in 2025
Boho & Natural
Rattan, bamboo, cotton covers, natural colours, subtle accessories, ceramics, handwoven rugs, and decorations made from natural materials. This style feels relaxed and holiday-like, blending the seaside holiday vibe with countryside living.
Minimalist Scandinavian Style
Clean shapes, white, grey, wood, and subtle contrast with black. Emphasis on functionality, quality materials, and simple lines. This style is ideal for smaller terraces and balconies where functionality is key.
Urban Jungle
Lots of greenery, ferns, monstera, hanging planters, natural light, and humidifiers. This style is especially suited for urban environments. The greenery not only beautifies the space but also purifies the air and improves mood. With this style, you bring a touch of the South American jungle into the city jungle.
Vintage Terrace
Older metal chairs, patina, intricate patterns, lanterns, and antique accessories. This style brings romance and character to any space. It’s perfect for balconies where you can create an oasis to escape into the old world, while in larger spaces, antique furniture stands out and adds a touch of nostalgia.
5. When You Have Children: A Summer Terrace Focused on Safety and Fun
For the Little Ones
Children’s rugs, paddling pools, low seating, and shaded areas — primarily ensure that kids have plenty of space and limited sun exposure. Avoid sharp edges, and prefer textiles and plastic over glass and metal. Add interactive toys, small tents, or a sand corner.
For Older Children
Big “girls” and “boys” will appreciate creative corners for drawing, swings, toy boxes, cushion “play floors,” climbing nets, and outdoor games like mini golf, mini table football, or wind-resistant board games.
Children need space to move, a place to relax, and a pleasant shaded environment during summer. Create a space where they feel comfortable and safe.
6. Terrace for Seniors: Comfort, Peace, and Nature
For grandparents who spend most of their time at home, long summer days can be challenging. It is therefore important to create a space where they can relax while also engaging in small activities that make their summer—or even the whole year—more enjoyable.
Safety
Non-slip flooring, securely anchored furniture, and plenty of shade are key. Avoid furniture that is too low — higher chairs with armrests are more comfortable. Don’t forget a reminder space to encourage them to stay hydrated during summer. Larger water jugs or a lemonade-making set are ideal.
Comfort
Ergonomic chairs, adjustable backrests, footrests, and blankets for cooler evenings all add to the comfort. Tables with smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces are important too, as well as aids that make movement easier — wall-mounted handles and sturdy chair armrests are excellent additions.
Atmosphere
Candles in lanterns, soft fairy lights, and plants within reach help create a cosy setting. Herbs are a great choice — not only do they smell lovely, but they’re also useful for cooking (e.g. basil, rosemary, mint). In addition, seniors can tend to herbs or flowers with minimal effort, giving them a pleasant sense of purpose during the day.
Seniors will appreciate peace and the opportunity to relax with a view of the garden, the city, or the sunset.
7. Details That Matter
Textiles
Cushions, throws, tablecloths, and curtains can instantly transform the atmosphere. Choose fabrics that are resistant to sun and moisture. Add seat pads or blankets for cosy evening lounging.
Lighting
Solar string lights, LED lamps, light garlands, and scented candles. A well-thought-out lighting design allows you to enjoy the terrace even after dark. Retro accessories are truly in and bring a touch of pleasant nostalgia.
Decorations
Lanterns, candle holders, mirrors, rustic signboards, vases, pictures, wind spinners, and wind chimes. If you enjoy a well-decorated space, accessories will help create a cosy atmosphere and give your summer terrace character. But if you prefer minimalism, go for a clean look and use functional décor to enhance the space — such as:
- scented candles
- reed diffusers
- fragrance tags
Greenery
Even a small plant can bring life to your terrace. Try lavender, rosemary, succulents, geraniums, or ivy. Create an herb garden in wooden boxes. If you don’t have space for plants but still want your summer terrace to smell wonderful, try a few sprays of Puella home fragrance.
8. Bonus: Multifunctional Solutions
- Foldable benches with built-in storage
- Tables with integrated drink coolers
- Hanging organisers for walls or railings
- Modular systems that allow you to rearrange the layout as needed
- Outdoor rugs that are easy to clean and make barefoot walking more pleasant
Don’t Forget…
It doesn’t matter whether you have a spacious terrace in the countryside or a balcony in the city centre — any space can be stylish and functional if you adapt it to your needs. In summer, the terrace becomes not just a place to relax, but the heart of the home.
Create a corner where you’ll love spending time with family, friends, or just by yourself with a good book. The summer terrace is a place where design, comfort, and nature come together — and that’s exactly why it’s worth giving your attention to.
Whether you dream of an elegant view with a glass of wine in hand, a children’s paradise full of laughter, or a peaceful zone for the older members of the family — all of this can be achieved even in a small space if you put a little bit of yourself into it.