There is a distinct moment when you visit a truly spectacular home in the Costa del Sol. You walk through the sliding glass doors, and suddenly, you aren’t sure if you are inside or outside.
The floor flows seamlessly. The lighting is warm. The temperature is perfect. It doesn’t feel like a “patio” with some furniture thrown on it; it feels like a second living room that just happens to have a view of the Mediterranean.
This is the concept of the “Outdoor Room.”
For years, many expats in Estepona, Marbella, and Sotogrande have treated their terraces as separate entities, places to dry laundry or park a plastic table. But as we spend more time in Spain, the trend has shifted. We are seeing a move towards Biophilic Design blurring the lines between the interior and the exterior.
But how do you achieve that “Magazine Look”? It isn’t just about buying expensive furniture. It is about structure.
At the Bella Group, we use a design framework we call “The Three Layers of Living.” If your terrace feels “incomplete” or uninviting, it is likely missing one of these three crucial layers.
Layer 1: The Sanctuary – Structure & Shade
The first mistake people make is exposing themselves to the elements. In Northern Europe, we chase the sun. In Southern Spain, we manage it.
An “Outdoor Room” cannot function if you are blinded by the glare at 2 PM or shivering in the humidity at 10 PM. You need a ceiling.
This is where the Bioclimatic Pergola transforms a space. Unlike a static wooden roof or a flimsy parasol, a bioclimatic system (available at TerrazaBella) gives you control.
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The Roof: Adjustable louvers allow you to capture the breeze while blocking the direct sun.
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The Walls: Glass curtains or automated zip-blinds turn the space into a wind-proof haven in winter.
The Design Tip: Think of the pergola not as an accessory, but as the “Architecture” of your outdoor room. It defines the boundary where the “room” begins and the garden ends.
Layer 2: The Engine – Flavour & Function
This is the layer that has changed the most in 2025.
In the past, the “cooking area” was a lonely charcoal BBQ pushed against a wall, far away from the conversation. The host would disappear to check the sausages and return smelling of smoke. That is not an “Outdoor Room”, that is a service yard.
To create a true social hub, you need to bring the kitchen into the conversation.
This is why we have launched our new Outdoor Kitchen Collection at TerrazaBella.
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The Social Magnet: When you install a Cabinex island or a Cozze modular station, you change the gravity of the terrace. Guests naturally gather around the island (just like they do indoors).
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The “Flow”: With an integrated fridge and sink, you stop the endless shuttle runs to the indoor kitchen. The wine is cold, the glasses are there, and the food is sizzling. The “Engine” of the party is right where the people are.
The Design Tip: Position your outdoor kitchen so the chef faces the view (and the guests), never the wall. It should be the anchor of your “Dining Zone.”
Layer 3: The Soul – Comfort, Texture & Furniture
You have the structure (Pergola) and the function (Kitchen). Now you need the “Soul.” This is where most outdoor spaces fail, they look hard, cold, or generic.
To make an outdoor space feel like a Room, you need to curate the furniture and the finishes just as carefully as you would indoors. This is where the full strength of the Bella Group comes together.
1. The Foundation
The furniture dictates how you use the space. A beautiful kitchen is useless if there is nowhere comfortable to eat the meal.
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The Dining Set: This is your daily workhorse. At TerrazaBella, we curate dining tables that pair perfectly with our Outdoor Kitchens, think robust teak or sleek aluminium that resists the salt air.
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The Lounge Set: Move away from stiff, upright garden chairs. To create a “Living Room” vibe, you need deep-seated sofas and modular corner sofas that invite you to sink in for hours.
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The Sunbeds: For the pool area, choose structure and durability over flimsy plastic. Our range of sun beds and day beds create that “Beach Club” aesthetic right at home.
2. The “Soft” Touch
An indoor living room is full of fabrics, rugs, curtains, cushions. Your outdoor room needs the same, but they must be engineered for the environment.
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Upholstery: Don’t settle for the standard beige pads that come with garden furniture. Re-upholster your outdoor cushions or dining chairs in high-performance outdoor fabrics (visit TelaBella.es) that resist fading and mold.
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Outdoor Curtains: Add flowing outdoor curtains to your pergola posts. They soften the hard architectural lines and add movement in the breeze.
How to “Zone” Your Estepona Terrace
Now that you have the Three Layers, how do you arrange them?
A common error is pushing all the furniture to the edges of the terrace, leaving a “dance floor” of empty tiles in the middle. This kills the atmosphere. Instead, create distinct Zones:
Zone A: The Culinary Corner
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Contains: Your Cabinex or Beefeater Outdoor Kitchen.
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Location: Near the indoor kitchen entrance (for plumbing/gas ease) but oriented outward.
Zone B: The Dining Salon
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Contains: Your main dining table.
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Location: Under the Pergola. This is where you spend the hours between 2 PM and 4 PM. Shade is non-negotiable here.
Zone C: The Sunset Lounge
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Contains: Deep sofas, low coffee tables, and soft lighting.
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Location: Where the view is best at 8 PM. This is for the Aperol Spritz before dinner or the Gin & Tonic after.
The “One-Stop” Advantage
Creating an “Outdoor Room” usually involves a headache of logistics: a builder for the kitchen, a pergola company for the roof, and a decorator for the cushions.
We do it differently.
Because TerrazaBella, BellaDesign and TelaBella operate under one roof in Estepona, we can curate the entire ecosystem for you.
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We install the Kitchen.
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We erect the Pergola.
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We sew the Cushions.
You get a cohesive, designer-led space with one point of contact.
Ready to Design Your Room?
Don’t let your terrace be an afterthought. Let’s turn it into the most used room in your house.
Start with the Engine: Browse our new Outdoor Kitchens here.
Add the Sanctuary: Explore our Bioclimatic Pergolas.
Add the Soul: Visit TelaBella for cushion inspiration.