How to transform your terrace into a calming garden sanctuary in five easy steps - Step 2

Step 2 : Creating a roof terrace tailored to your needs

*A calming water feature at our* *Chelsea Mews House*

In last week’s post we looked at the first step and how make sure that you get the architecture of the terrace just right. In this week’s post, Part 2, we’re looking at how to tailor the design of your terrace to your exact needs.

🌳 STEP 1 Create a garden design that works with the architecture of your home

🌳 STEP 2 Creating a terrace tailored to your needs

🌳 STEP 3 Select the right plants

🌳 STEP 4 Create the perfect lighting design

🌳 STEP 5 Building and project managing your garden project

Creating a space that works for you and your life

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Define your vision: Start by envisioning how you want to use your roof terrace. Do you envision it as a space for relaxation, entertainment, gardening, or all of the above? Clarifying your vision will guide the design process.

🕵️ Assess Your Space: Evaluate the size, shape, and condition of your roof. Consider factors such as access points, sunlight exposure, and existing structures like chimneys or skylights. Understanding your space will help determine its potential and limitations. At our Chelsea Mews house, we quickly identified to existing elements that were preventing the terrace from functioning properly; the first was an existing lantern rooflight that was blocking the use of the terrace. The second was the large lightwell at ground floor level which took a large chunk out of our first floor terrace.
⚖️ Consider building regulations and planning permission: Check national building regulations, health and safety regulations and planning permissions regarding rooftop structures and modifications. Determine if you need permits or approvals before proceeding with your terrace project. Our clients on our Chelsea Mews House had originally wished to build a large glass conservatory over most of their terrace and we had engaged in a ‘Pre App’ with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea planners who had advised that this would not be acceptable. We also ensured that all of the designs complied with the most up to date building regulations and health and safety regulations. We used tiles that had the correct slip rating, created ventilation points to the bedroom below via the lightwells.
💰 Establish a budget: Determine your budget for the project, considering factors such as materials, labour costs, permits, and any additional amenities or features you wish to include. Be realistic about what you can afford and prioritise accordingly. On each of our projects, we start with an assessment of our clients budget and we formulate a design which is realistic in terms of costs. We then work with our clients to ensure that they get the most competitive quotes from our trusted set of contractors and gardeners that we work with regularly.
📐 Design Layout and Functionality: Plan the layout of your roof terrace based on the overall design vision and your space constraints. Consider creating distinct areas for lounging, dining, gardening, or other activities. Maximise functionality by incorporating features like built-in seating, storage, and amenities such as water features or even an outdoor kitchen.
In our Chelsea Mews House, the garden was to be a place for relaxation and tranquility. Our clients had very clear practical requirements; they wanted it to be somewhere that they could relax and read in the sun or take their breakfast in the warmer months of the year. They also wanted space for practicing yoga and from time to time they wanted the space to be able to host a dinner party - allowing enough space for a table of eight people. This meant that we needed to have lots of free space - not cluttered with freestanding furniture. We opted to create fully bespoke built in furniture and planters that allowed for excellent functionality
As well as wanting a gorgeous outdoor space to be enjoyed in the summer months, our clients also loved our suggestion to make the terrace ‘another room’ - so at night, when the the terrace is illuminated, you can look through the glazed doors and enjoy the garden as an extension of the living room. Likewise during the daytime, the terrace forms a beautiful back drop to look onto when having a meal in the dining room at first floor level that looks onto the terrace.
⛲ Water feature: Our clients loved the calming sound of running water and in their master bedroom we had created an indoor pool with flowing water. Our client loved the idea of a water feature on the roof to make the space even more relaxing. We designed a bespoke water feature so that the calming sound of the flowing water provides a restful backdrop to the space. It also provides a visual focal point when the garden is enjoyed as a view from within the house. The water feature reflects light, amplifying the garden’s brightness and play of light during the day, and at night, in harmony with the lighting design, adding form and subtle dynamics to the terrace.
🛋️ Bespoke benches: We were able to work out the anthropometric sizings and to make sure it became a comfortable and useful space, designing bespoke built in benches that freed up the floor area of the terraceand leaving enough space around the roof lights to comfortably fit a table. As well as sunny spots, the mature Japanese maple trees provide shade over the benches for hot days, so that the garden is flexible and can be enjoyed on sunny or shady days. The design of the benches means they are low maintenance and meant that we did not need to source sofas or outdoor furniture.