In a city full of gray concrete buildings and monotonous streets, sometimes all it takes is one flickering glance upward to discover the fascinating world of colorful umbrellas. When rainy clouds flood the streets and the sun hides behind a curtain, these delicate covers become not only a practical protection against changeable weather conditions, but also a magical touch that brings the city to life. Colorful umbrellas, like a rainbow on a gray background, add charm and joy to the urban space, attracting the attention of passers-by.

Why is it worth changing your city with this new trend? Check out our article below and get inspired! 

Colorful umbrellas as must-have in the city

All bustling streets in the city have their own unique atmosphere, but sometimes they lack color and vitality. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective way to enliven urban space – just hang colorful umbrellas in such places. These charming rain covers, hanging in the open air over the streets, transform the gray urban landscape into real painting canvas.

Colorful umbrellas in various shades and patterns, dancing in the wind, attract the eyes of passers-by and brighten up the surroundings. They create a magical scenery that tempts you to stop, take a picture, and take your loved ones for a walk. 

Colourful umbrellas over the city’s streets together with open-space decorations from Terra Group

In addition, colourful umbrellas not only enliven an urban space, but also enhance its character. Depending on your choice of colours and designs, you can create themed decorations that reflect the local culture, the given holiday, or add character to a particular neighbourhood. For example, in an art area umbrellas covered with painting motifs can be hung, while a shopping district could be dominated by umbrellas in intense colours to attract the attention of passers-by.

Colorful umbrellas as street decorations not only give the cityscape a unique charm, but also create space where people can stop, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. They are small but expressive details that make public spaces more welcoming, inspiring and creative. Thus, colorful umbrellas are not only practical protection from rain or sun, but also a wonderful decoration that adds magic and vitality to our streets.

Colorful umbrellas enliven gray urban space

The suspension of colorful umbrellas in the city can become a major attraction for tourists. The umbrellas will create a unique and picturesque atmosphere that will draw people`s attention and make the city more interesting for potential visitors.

Tourists often look for unique places that offer not only historical monuments or traditional attractions, but also special visual experiences. Colorful umbrellas will create a unique scenery and will certainly attract the attention of travelers, encouraging them to slowly explore the city. 

What’s more, a street decorated with colorful umbrellas can become a popular place to take photos. Thus, the city can get more publicity on social-media and become one of the most alluring places for various photo shoots!

Examples of cities where umbrellas appeared 

Agueda, Portugal (pic. https://joujoutravels.com/umbrella-street-agueda-portugal/)

Istanbul, Turkey (pic. https://www.oldtowntravels.com/umbrella-streets-in-istanbul/)

Leszno, Poland (pic. M. Wiśniewski https://leszno.naszemiasto.pl/wracaja-kolorowe-ozdoby-w-lesznie-zurawie-zniknely-znad/ga/c7-8789891/zd/70786385)

Creative experiments and installations in the city

Bringing creative experiments and installations into the city has many benefits. Such activities will contribute to enlivening the gray and monotonous urban space. They will add color, vitality and character, while creating an attractive and inspiring environment for residents. Art installations can also become a symbol and expression of a city’s identity. In this way, it becomes recognizable and unique. Attracting tourists or activating the local community will be a great result of introducing art to city streets.

Color your space with colorful umbrellas and see how such street art can transform urban life!

Colorful decorations have magical power to transform the given space — they enliven it and add character to it. Whether in our homes and gardens or in urban spaces, the presence of colorful decorations attracts attention and gives joy to both residents and passers-by. In the following article, we will share with you the various possibilities that colorful decorations offer; we will also discuss their impact on the surroundings.

Let’s find out how bold colors and creative solutions can change our homes, gardens and urban spaces, adding life and character to them! Regardless of whether we are lovers of art, gardening or just want to change the surroundings, colorful decorations are an irreplaceable element that inspires everyone around!

Colorful hanging decorations

Colorful hanging decorations are striking decorative elements that can be set in various places. Depending on the expected effects, we can hang them above historic city streets, in a garden or park, or by a charming gazebo. Decorations of this type will not only add marvelous colors to the area, but also attract the eye of every guest. These elements can take various forms and colors — from popular, openwork umbrellas, through animals, to magnificent flowers.

Placing colorful decorations in the space is a great idea to prepare for the holiday season. After all, in the summer, we spend the most time in the open air. Openwork decorations are perfect for outdoors as they are made of durable material, and their forms emphasize the carefree atmosphere of holidays.

In gardens and outdoor spaces, colorful hanging decorations create beautiful landmarks, attracting the eye and inviting to explore the area. They can be hung on tree branches, pergolas, gazebos or garden nets, giving the space a unique aesthetic. Hanging decorations can have a variety of themes, from plant and animal motifs to abstract patterns, which allows you to match them to individual preferences and the style of the surroundings.

Colorful hanging decorations also have a practical application. They can be used as wind chimes that gently chime in the wind, creating a relaxing sound. In addition, they can also deter unwanted birds or insects, protecting plants from damage.

When we use colorful hanging decorations, we have unlimited possibilities of expression and personalization. We can choose from a wide range of colors, materials, and styles to create a striking arrangement that expresses our creativity and taste. Regardless of whether we want to add a splash of color to our home, garden or urban space, colorful hanging decorations are a great choice that will enliven our surroundings and attract attention.

Colorful umbrellas in the city

Colorful umbrellas in cities are becoming an increasingly popular and unique decorative element, adding charm and joy to urban spaces. Many cities around the world are introducing artistic initiatives that consist of hanging umbrellas in urban space. These brightly colored and diverse elements create picturesque scenes, attracting the attention of passers-by and creating a unique atmosphere. From narrow streets and promenades to busy squares, umbrellas in cities add character, creativity and positive mood, making the place even more attractive to residents and tourists.

Colorful umbrellas bring positivity and joy to urban spaces. Their presence enlivens the surroundings, making the place more friendly and pleasant for residents and tourists. They also create an impression of lightness and fun, making people feel more relaxed and satisfied with their stay in a given place. Colorful umbrellas can also serve as visual landmarks in urban space. They can help you navigate by pointing to meeting places, points of sale or important places in the city. In addition, their presence can attract attention and encourage exploration of a given area. Furthermore, initiatives with colorful umbrellas in urban space can foster social bonding. People often stop to take photos, admire the decoration, or chat with other passers-by. This gives them the opportunity to interact and exchange positive experiences, which helps to build community and a sense of belonging.

What’s more, colorful umbrellas can contribute to the increase in tourist traffic in a given city. Their presence creates attractive places to visit and photograph, encouraging tourists to spend more time in a given location. This, in turn, can affect economic development by increasing the number of visitors, both local and foreign, which translates into greater traffic in the surrounding shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Placing colorful umbrellas in urban space is therefore not only a beautiful decoration, but also an initiative that contributes to improving the aesthetics, atmosphere, and community in the city, attracting attention and encouraging interaction.

Colorful decorations for the summer — advantages

Urban space can gain a lot thanks to colorful decorations. Mural on the wall of the building, colorful lanterns or fountains are just some of the examples of how you can change the gray city landscapes. Colorful decorations attract the attention of passers-by, adding character to the city and creating a unique atmosphere. In addition, such artistic initiatives can have a positive impact on the community by encouraging interaction and bonding between residents.

So what are the main advantages of placing colorful, openwork decorations in the summer in urban space?

1. Openwork decorations are open and air permeable, which is especially beneficial on hot summer days. They allow wind to flow freely, which provides natural ventilation, bringing relief to residents and visitors.
2. Summer openwork decorations add delicate charm and elegance to the urban landscape. Their subtle patterns and cutouts create beautiful light and shadow effects, which contributes to a unique atmosphere.
3. Openwork patterns create natural shades that can protect passersby, cafés, or rest areas from direct sunlight. Thus, they provide pleasant and cool resting places on hot days.
4. Openwork decorations are made of durable materials – fiberglass. They are weather-resistant and easy to maintain, which means they can please the eye for many years, requiring only minor maintenance.

We encourage you to decorate your space with openwork summer decorations, which will add charm and elegance to every beautiful city!

Contact Terra Group today to get more information on the available options and start creating a unique holiday atmosphere in the city. Let the summer in your city be unforgettable!

Public space is becoming an increasingly popular topic, so it is no wonder that we care about ergonomic solutions, greater comfort for residents and lush greenery in cities. Thanks to the growing social awareness, more and more design offices aim to improve urban space. It is for such initiatives that Polska Gazeta Wyborcza (one of the most popular polish magazines) organized the competition called Humanly Designed, which aims to select unique ideas. Last week, the final gala was held, and we could meet the winners of this year’s edition.

A more sustainable city

Various organizations applied for the competition: associations, designers, foundations, cooperatives, design teams, architects and entrepreneurs. There was even a special category for teenagers under 18 to reward them for their involvement in social initiatives for cities in Poland. All these groups are united by the desire to make cities more pleasant and accessible space for citizens. Sometimes it means launching multi-functional solutions, and other times it means the solutions that are smarter, greener or safer.

The guiding idea of the competition is, above all, to emphasize human needs. Urban space is supposed to serve residents and make them feel comfortable. Cities should be functional, but also pleasant, to encourage people to spend time outdoors!

As the main values of the jury turned out to be very consistent with the vision of Terra Group, we decided to submit Gianto city pots to participate in the competition.

Gianto flower pot—humanly designed multi-functionality

The idea that guided us when submitting Gianto pots to the competition was to emphasize that one pot can provide many creative possibilities. After all, Gianto is a simple, yet unique planter that perfectly adapts to the needs of urban space and changes the environment for the better. Its main task is to launch greenery where it might seem impossible due to lack of access to the ground, underground installations, specific conditions — narrow streets, garage underneath, constructions with load limitations. We designed the Gianto planter so that it would meet even the most difficult conditions posed by urban space, and at the same time it would delight passers-by.

The shape of the Gianto pot is inspired by a classic pot. As a result of playing with the form, new variants were created, which bring additional functionalities. The flattened SITO can be used as a bench, TABLO and GRANDE are the largest models and such a scale is hard to find anywhere else — you can plant trees in them without worrying about space for their roots.

The most important advantages of the Gianto pot are:

• XXL form, because large spaces need properly selected elements of street furniture,
• the possibility of planting beautiful, lush flowers or even trees,
• high-quality material that allows you to choose a variety of colors,
• production in Poland.

A pot that became a bench

A beautifully planted pot encourages you to stay near it as long as possible. This is how the idea for compatible seats with the Gianto pot came about.  They give you a chance to rest surrounded by greenery and in a few moments, the pot changes into a designer city bench.

Wave Bench

The wave-inspired bench is a seat that winds around the Gianto planters. This modular solution easily adapts to the needs and space, and at the same time looks extraordinary. What if you could combine two, three, five, seven pots with a seat? This is not a problem for the Wave bench, because it consists of several basic elements that fit together like building blocks. As a result, a very functional piece of street furniture is created each time. The original shape of the bench makes it possible for different groups of people to sit on it at the same time, and each of them will have space for themselves.

Zebra Bench

A round bench with a Gianto pot in the center gives you great opportunities to personalize the design. Each seat rung may look different, but the effect is phenomenal every time.

Can a city pot connect people?

We wanted our pots not to be just containers planted with plants. That is why we are extremely pleased that Gianto pots often become part of social initiatives: joint planting of plants, a canvas for local artists or a distinctive element of events. Thanks to this, they help to build awareness of the need for everyday contact with nature, respect and care for the common good, and also show that the cooperation of residents leads to beautiful effects.

One function is definitely not enough!

The Gianto pot is a decoration, a chance for additional greenery, a promotion for the city, a suitable container for trees, a bench, a railing, an element that separates space, a Christmas decoration, part of a social initiative, a canvas for local artists. We are very happy that we could take part in such an important competition for urban space. We hope you like our idea too! More information about the competition and the list of awarded projects can be found here.

Street furniture is a very important part of the city. For an aesthetic effect one needs pots, for neatness – garbage cans, for comfort – bicycle stands, and for a moment of rest – urban benches. However, to be successful in planning, it is not enough just to place them in city space. It is good to choose street furniture that will not only perfectly fulfill its role, but will also be consistent and suited to the surroundings. How to do it? Take an example from Lubsko, which can boast an eye-catching arrangement in front of the town hall, where a curved planter bench appeared!

City benches – which one to choose?

Not all city benches are the same. Very popular classic wooden models with a backrest are slowly giving way to other creative projects. Oval shapes are popular, e.g. a circle bench around a tree and an impressive combination of materials. It is best if design goes hand in hand with functionality, thanks to which the element of small architecture becomes an inseparable part of public space.

What to pay attention to when choosing a city bench:

• material – wood, metal, concrete, plastic – what counts is aesthetics, but also durability and cost of maintenance. Wooden city benches require impregnation, otherwise they will quickly lose its appearance, but also they can be damaged.

• ergonomics – the main role of the city bench is to create a place to rest for passers-by. Everyone needs to sit down for a moment to catch a breath, repack things or sip a favorite take-out coffee. However, overly comfortable seats can contribute to some problems. Simple but lovely benches with backrests can become a favorite spot for local rascals who will occupy them all day and night.
• additional functions – the city bench does not have to fulfill only one role. Seats with a solar panel and smartphone charging ports are becoming more and more popular. Also an interesting option is a curved planter bench in which you can plant beautiful plants.

• own style – if the bench is to look good, it should match the surroundings. Therefore,  individually designed solutions will be a great option.
• stable fixing to the ground – without fixing, there is a chance that the city bench will fall over or will be displaced by those who do not respect public property.

Curved planter bench chosen by Lubsko

The town hall in Lubsko is a very interesting historic building. The Renaissance building with a white-brick façade has become a showcase of the town. Due to their historical character, there was a need for city benches that would not be too modern and would attract attention at the same time.

The choice fell on the Zebra city bench from TerraCity. The round seat is perfect for squares, because it fills the undeveloped space, and passersby can sit on it from all sides. In addition, the model is equipped with a large pot, in which one can plant perennials, shrubs and even trees.

As standard, the round Zebra bench has colorful rungs that look great with vividly colored plant containers. However, the project of Lubsko required subdued shades that would harmonize with the historic nature of the surroundings. For this reason, the multi-colored steel parts of the seat were abandoned in favor of a single color: ancient copper. Then the dark green pots were selected. Thanks to this, the city benches in Lubsko are one of a kind, and more importantly, they perfectly match the surrounding buildings.

Bench with planters from TerraCity

A curved planter bench will be great for  any space, especially because the color of the seat and pots can be individually adapted to your needs. In addition, if you are not a master of planning and aesthetics, you do not have to choose blindly. The Terra Group team will help you decide on the most suitable colors for your surroundings, and then provide the finished effect on the visualization. Contact your account managers and get more than just a city bench.

It’s fabulously colorful or … toned. It will help to bring nature into the surroundings and become a trendy piece of furniture. This is an alluring decoration and at the same time an indispensable element of infrastructure. Zebra urban bench is a versatile solution for any space.

Wrocław, Poland | Source: www.terracity.eu

It made her debut only a year ago and ever since it has enjoyed growing popularity. No wonder! The Zebra round city bench is not only made of colorful elements, but also it has an unusual backrest created by a large urban pot that is able to contain not only decorative plants, but even a large bush and tree. Thanks to such an original form, it is an impressive complement to a square without trees, a cobbled town square or … a playground where children spend their time.

Source: www.terracity.eu

There is no zebra … without stripes! The Zebra urban bench has a way more to offer than just a classic black and white finish. It can be … whatever you want! From classic, toned and uniform gray to a multi-colored rainbow. Thanks to such a wide range of options, it works well both in the traditional space of the Old Market Square ( often protected by the conservator’s supervision ), as well as in a free, colorful playground of a kindergarten or primary school.

Source: www.terracity.eu

Importantly, the Zebra urban bench is fixed to the ground with special anchors – without undue interference in the pavement. This means that it can also reach places with extensive underground infrastructure – above parking lots, pedestrian crossings or the sewage system. Even after fixing in a specific place, it will not have any effect on other components of the “urban tissue”, and it will never disappear from its place – whether due to strong wind or vandalism.