A terrace is a flat outdoor area attached to a building, often elevated. It can be at ground level, on a roof, or on an intermediate floor. It provides outdoor space for dining, gardening, or relaxing, and it often has a view. The word can also refer to a stepped landscape, like a terraced hillside, but in architecture it usually means a platform.

Terraces are common in dense cities where private outdoor space is scarce. A rooftop terrace gives residents a place to sit outside without leaving the building. A terrace off a living room extends the living space outdoors. A terrace on a hillside house connects the building to the slope.

Designing a terrace involves more than laying pavers. Drainage must be planned so water does not pool or leak into the building. Railings or parapets are required for safety. Wind can be strong on upper floors, so screens or planters may be needed. Privacy from neighbors is often a concern.

In some climates, a terrace is usable year-round. In others, it is seasonal. Either way, it is a valuable amenity. Outdoor space, even a small one, changes how a building feels.