SFGate

KL Designs Residential Landscape Planning I love those shade sails! You might consider making 'walls' with boxed planters. Instead of planters only being on the perimeter use them as if walls inside a home instead. Putting them on casters can give flexibility to move them around if you want a larger space for an event. Also consider outdoor rugs. Just like in the home, outdoor rooms can have their furniture anchored by rugs as well. Just be sure they can take the elements and check if you have to pull them in during a rainy season. In regards to a spa, it appears from your photo that your terrace is above ground level. Make sure your terrace is structurally sound for the weight a spa will create. Also with a spa, folks getting out will have wet feet and that floor can be very slippery when wet. So add a floor covering around the spa area or the small wood tiles that imitate a deck and can be interlocked together right on that floor. a terraced water feature at the center of that star burst would be more interesting than a pot and a trunk! You can't see enough of the the palm to enjoy it.

laurajquint That is a lovely terrace.

I suggest zoning to break up the vast space. Eating, hot tub, maybe reading or sunbathing depending on the weather and how you are likely to entertain.

As above check it will take the weight of a hot tub including the water volume when filled. I would place it next to the kitchen as you will need to top up the water level from time to time and completely empty it and refill at least once a year.

Then think about a dining table that seats 6+ as the multiple square tables are screaming cafe/health club. Where do you want to put an outdoor grill? Or do you want to consider a built in kitchen?

If you don't want to or can't move the big palm tree, why not add some sparkly lights to the trunk and make it a feature? You could look at putting a circular bench around the base or leaving space to water the tree, have a circular table built around it with bar height seating?

decoenthusiaste I agree with the pot and palm trunk - not too interesting. Can you put a fire pit in the center of the star burst? Surround it with pairs of swivel chairs and low cocktail tables. This might require an alternate spot for the sails, as they could be a fire hazard. The pad and steps at the lower part of the plan look like they could be a spot for the spa. It could be screened from view with plant material and changing rooms could be built either side of it. I'm not understanding the two blue items that look to be beds.

Dominic Magdalena Many thanks for your suggestions. The palm has definitely got to go. I like the idea of a fire box or water feature in the centre with swivel chairs. Then the planters on casters to chop things up a bit. Much appreciated.