11 Creative Rooftop Retreats for Small and Large Spaces

Written by Liza Sivek | Tue, Aug 20, 2024 @ 09:08 AM

In the heart of the city, rooftops can be overlooked spaces that can be transformed into havens for relaxing, entertaining, and even play areas. With the versatility of beautiful wood decking, creating your dream rooftop retreat is within reach. Let’s explore 11 creative ideas for turning your urban rooftop into an outdoor escape.

Rooftop decks can be a gorgeous retreat from the everyday by taking your daily lifestyle outdoors in the sun and air. Take advantage of stunning views. Or make a little area with privacy screens to block out less-than-ideal sights. But before all, safety first.

The key to a safe and well-built deck is a well-constructed foundation system. Adding a deck to a rooftop is very different than adding one on the ground level and the rooftop of your building must be able to handle a deck. Once you have determined it can, you'll want the next step to be the Eurotec Rooftop Deck System. Because safety and durability come first. Why is it so important? Check out the Best Rooftop Deck System for Wood Decks for more information.

Then, you'll enjoy choosing a wood rooftop decking material since they all offer stability and strength. All that needs to be decided is what natural color range and project budget suits you best. Thinking of a different rooftop material? Not all decking is suitable for rooftop use. Learn what's best for your project in Best Decking Material for Rooftop Decks and Patios.

1. Charming Urban Hideaway

Create a private rooftop deck with privacy walls and latticework. Use the same wood decking for privacy screens to create a custom-look aesthetic. Include lush greenery and cozy seating to escape the city buzz below.

Above, an Ipe wood deck has an Ipe privacy wall behind built in benches and planters, to block out the view of other buildings and the view from neighbors' windows!

Before you build, you should know that many urban building associations, neighborhoods, and cities require a privacy wall when you build a rooftop deck. To see more about what you should check before building a rooftop deck, take a look at the essential checklist in Building a Rooftop Deck: 6 Steps To Success.

Since you need one anyway, make your privacy wall part of the design. Imagine beyond just privacy and safety along the edge of the rooftop. Include seating and foliage planters to make the borders of your rooftop friendlier for you and your neighbors. Large or small deck area, this tip helps you utilize more of your space.

A small balcony space can still be made cozy among the cold, shiny skyscrapers with an Ipe wood deck and privacy wall to separate the neighbors. A glass balcony rail open up the view.

Ipe wood privacy wall with planters in a small deck space creates a quiet, shaded escape.

Ready for more? Check out the Rooftop Deck Design Portfolio, get it now.

2. Rooftop Gardening Space

Design a rooftop garden with built-in planters, foliage, and raised garden beds using sustainable wood deck materials that are highly rated to withstand outdoor elements. Blend functionality with aesthetics for a serene green space.

A small, uneven rooftop can still become a garden space. Add planters, stepped walkway to seating areas, and lots of foliage for practicing your green thumb.

Uneven rooftops or small, awkward shaped spaces can be tamed with the Eurotec Rooftop Decking System. It's the ideal solution for any rooftop deck. The aluminum rails and easily adjusted pedestals can be installed level over the rooftop height changes without wood sleepers. It allows a rooftop deck to be safely designed and supported in an otherwise wasted space.

The best rooftop decks start with Eurotec Rooftop Deck Systems

Decorative planters, like the custom Ipe wood planter above, are an excellent way to add nature to your rooftop and can also be placed as dividers to create separate spaces for dining or conversation.

A rusted metal planter on a rooftop deck with Ipe wood and pavers creates interest and adds natural elements to this rooftop entertainment area.

3. Skyline Dining Room

Create your own rooftop dining experience with an outdoor kitchen, dining table and chairs on your rooftop deck. Perfect for hosting memorable meals under the stars.

This rooftop outdoor kitchen design used real hardwood decking material to contrast with stone pavers. They faced all the cabinets, created a railing above the counter, and a privacy wall along the side.

A rooftop deck with an outdoor kitchen and island dining area. There are also separate seating areas for more more intimate conversations.

Dining area above the beach offers a shaded space with an ocean view. Your shoreline rooftop deck can fit on a second floor or on the rooftop of a beach house.

4. Outdoor Living Zones

Create multifunctional areas for entertaining, play, and relaxation. Define spaces by incorporating pergolas, planters, playscapes, meditation corners, and comfortable seating areas for various activities.

If you have the space on your urban rooftop - and it can handle the weight of so much water - a rooftop pool is perfect for the fitness enthusiast or for entertaining family and friends. Ipe hardwood is a naturally slip-resistant wood decking, and has high-resistance to moisture damage, mold and rot. This makes Ipe and other hardwoods an ideal decking around a pool or for an outdoor shower.

An FSC Machiche an rooftop outdoor room that overlooks the San Francisco Bay Area with plush seating and a stairway to the ground level pool below. A comfortable and elegant area for coffee in the morning or drinks with friends at night. The coffee table was also made from the FSC Machiche

A newly constructed rooftop deck uses Garapa hardwood for the decking, plus built in benches and planters that double as a privacy wall. Planters with trees add lush foliage in the corners, adding more natural elements to help you relax and forget you are above New York City. A tall stone fireplace stands on one side, ready to be the focal point of your next party. This space is a true outdoor room.

There is more inspiration inside the Rooftop Deck Design Ideas Portfolio, with more projects for you to discover. Download it here.

5. Cozy Conversation Corners

Design intimate seating areas for two or a few, and craft welcoming spaces made for couples, families, or quiet gatherings with friends.

Carve a corner of space on your rooftop to create a little oasis ! Relax, visit, or enjoy the outdoors. A cozy conversation setting a step away from indoors has tropical foliage for privacy, comfortable seating, a gas fire pit for warmth and ambience, and hardwood decking in a opposing diagonal layout brings a lot of interest into a small space.

A small rooftop space on a high-rise gives these residents ample space for a curved wood decking layout and a place to dine or entertain friends. Privacy walls with greenery and trees planted around each space give a feeling of a backyard deck but its's actually high above the city street.

6. Pretty and Practical Pergolas

Adding a wood pergola is not only attractive, they also help you define seating or dining spaces, provides some shade, and adds a touch of elegance to your rooftop retreat. Pergolas blend natural aesthetics with functional comfort.

A large rooftop deck space can into smaller, more intimate areas when entertaining. A custom designed pergola uses stained and natural hardwood to create an interesting and artistic focal point, reflected in the picture framed wood decking below it. A gas fire pit, wicker rockers and plush seating sit under the pergola and are divided from the hi-top pub tables and chairs placed along the edge of the deck.

On a large rooftop deck, a pergola creates a place to spread out and lounge in a family space. A playscape to the side, made of the same wood decking, lets the parents keep on eye on the kids in comfort. And under the pergola is a soft place to land when the kids are tired.

The pergola faces a large grassy area for playtime or entertaining. Lanterns on the pergola make it ready to transform into a place for an evening soiree.

View from above the rooftop pergola

RELATED: Deck Designs Using Pergolas

Download yours now - the Rooftop Deck Design Ideas Portfolio has even more!

7. Family-Friendly Hangout

Construct a rooftop haven with built-in seating, furniture, and planters to accommodate family activities. From homework sessions to board games and movie nights, create a space for every family member to enjoy.

Even small spaces on a rooftop can add to your family space by extending it outdoors. Add a grill, table and chairs, and a plush couch or two and your family members will flock to the rooftop regularly.

If you want a more adult family space, a rooftop deck with a pergola on a mid-century modern home might be great inspiration. An architectural landmark, the architectural drawing above shows the planned rooftop deck over a fitness room below. This space can be used for spirited gatherings or quiet evenings.

When completed, the rooftop deck was a wonderful example of using Ipe hardwood decking and hardwood siding together to create a artistic look with stunning architectural details along the rooftop deck and room exterior below. See the whole project in Historic Kentucky Home Gets Custom Ipe Rooftop Deck

Your urban space does not have to be sleek and modern. A step outside this home, under a black and natural stained wood pergola, a sliding door trimmed to match the windows gives access to a new rooftop deck. Black metal railings match the industrial look of the rooftops. The chevron layout of the deck adds a lot of visual interest. A few lounge chairs and low tables is all this space needs.

8. Built-In Benefits

Optimize space with built-in features like seating and other furniture, planters for greenery and to separate spaced, and overhead features like pergolas and arbors. Customize your rooftop deck to maximize comfort and aesthetics.

Built in benches and tables follow the line of the privacy wall and planters along the inside of this deck space. Wood privacy walls made with the same wood decking material create a sense of privacy by blocking the view from neighboring buildings. A dining table and chairs is ready for company and built in planters full of tress and flowers gives this a café feeling at home.

Built in benches in asymmetrical patterns not only add sculptural interest but also additional seating and places for planters of grasses, trees and flowers. Building up added a lot of built-in seating to a small footprint of space, leaving room for grass areas, wood walkways, and small grouping of seating.

9. Rooftop Relaxation Zone

Sometimes we just need to get away and let all the stress go. If your dream is a room to have a meditation or yoga room but there's no space, your rooftop might be the answer. A wide walkway of space might be perfect for a quiet space for your meditation practice and a sculpture garden.

Transform your rooftop into a personal sanctuary with features like a hot tub, gas fire pit, plush seating, and low tables. Natural wood creates an elegant spa-like space.

Adding a rooftop with a view is a great place to add a hot tub. Because its also a great place to enjoy the view! Wood decking like Garapa and Jatoba and others have incredible bending strength and are a very good fit for heavy deck items like a hot tub.

If you are thinking of adding a hot tub, pool, large planters or outdoor appliance you'll want to read this blog first: Rooftop Deck Design Load Problem and Solutions

10. Entertainment Center

Design a rooftop entertainment hub with a built-in bar, outdoor kitchen, and versatile seating arrangements. Combine functionality with style to host gatherings and enjoy outdoor living at its finest.

This proposal architectural drawing shows the vision of a large deck with space for entertaining, a bar,

11. Winter Warming Retreat

Enhance your rooftop for year-round enjoyment with a built-in fireplace, ample seating, and space for firewood storage. Utilize real wood to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for cool nights and cozy gatherings.

ThermaWood Hem-Fir rooftop deck and siding are more than a match for snow and storms. Ideal for a ski lodge, a ThermaWood Hem-Fir is hardy enough to resists moisture, storm debris, and is very stable so it resists cupping or changing shape in temperature changes.

Take your relaxation zone to the next level and trust real hardwood decking to make your hot tub and outdoor room a place to enjoy even in the colder months, if you're so inclined.

With Mataverde hardwoods, thermally modified woods, and the Mataverde Eurotec Rooftop Decking System, the possibilities for crafting a stunning urban rooftop retreat are endless. Embrace creativity and transform your rooftop into a sanctuary that reflects your style and enhances your urban living experience.

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