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Rooms in the Sky: Design Your Very Own Rooftop Escape
Turn new or existing rooftops into a prized space for entertaining, relaxing, admiring and more
T Stanley
17 January 2015
Looking up could be the solution to creating the escape of your dreams. If you live in a unit with a vacant rooftop, then perhaps you can get together with your neighbours (pending strata approval) and design a communal space for entertaining. And if you’re planning on building a new home, then consider your rooftop as valuable real estate for any number of pleasures – you could even use it to plant a vegie patch.
Here are several ways you could maximise your rooftop space.
Here are several ways you could maximise your rooftop space.
Choose your maintenance level
Having a rooftop space doesn’t necessarily mean a huge amount of maintenance will be required. By keeping greenery to a minimum in planter boxes and adding comfortable bench seating with a few throw cushions, you can design a welcoming space with minimum upkeep even if you don’t have a particularly green thumb.
Having a rooftop space doesn’t necessarily mean a huge amount of maintenance will be required. By keeping greenery to a minimum in planter boxes and adding comfortable bench seating with a few throw cushions, you can design a welcoming space with minimum upkeep even if you don’t have a particularly green thumb.
Maximise seating
A variety of UV-resistant chairs and a scattering of beanbags, along with bench seating and a day bed for sprawling on for hours can make your rooftop an ideal space for entertaining and taking in the views. Choose seating in different materials and textures but in similar tones for a cohesive feel.
A variety of UV-resistant chairs and a scattering of beanbags, along with bench seating and a day bed for sprawling on for hours can make your rooftop an ideal space for entertaining and taking in the views. Choose seating in different materials and textures but in similar tones for a cohesive feel.
Light up the night
Use several light sources to create a dramatic effect for entertaining at night. Here, a combination of small trees lit from floor-mounted fixtures, a fire pit, candles and concealed wall-mounted lighting panels create a sense of mystery and invite the viewer to take a seat.
Use several light sources to create a dramatic effect for entertaining at night. Here, a combination of small trees lit from floor-mounted fixtures, a fire pit, candles and concealed wall-mounted lighting panels create a sense of mystery and invite the viewer to take a seat.
Go for hardy plants
A rooftop garden is constantly exposed to the elements so choose plants that can survive in your climate. Succulents, grasses and small coastal species are ideal because they can cope with shallow soil, the heat and dry conditions. Grasses also provide a lovely texture and colour contrast and look delightful as they sway in the breeze. Establish a perimeter walkway made of gravel, stepping stones or timber decking to allow for everyday maintenance and enjoyment of your garden.
A rooftop garden is constantly exposed to the elements so choose plants that can survive in your climate. Succulents, grasses and small coastal species are ideal because they can cope with shallow soil, the heat and dry conditions. Grasses also provide a lovely texture and colour contrast and look delightful as they sway in the breeze. Establish a perimeter walkway made of gravel, stepping stones or timber decking to allow for everyday maintenance and enjoyment of your garden.
Think vertically
If growing space is limited due to decking, then a vertical garden can establish a lush vibe. Using small hardy climbing plants with tight foliage, such as ivy – or a buxus if you aren’t afraid of a long-term hedging commitment – will ensure the growth is fairly even, requiring less maintenance. Wall-mounted spotlights accentuate this lovely formal feature.
If growing space is limited due to decking, then a vertical garden can establish a lush vibe. Using small hardy climbing plants with tight foliage, such as ivy – or a buxus if you aren’t afraid of a long-term hedging commitment – will ensure the growth is fairly even, requiring less maintenance. Wall-mounted spotlights accentuate this lovely formal feature.
Plant a green roof
These are becoming more popular in new homes and apartment buildings, due to their insulation quality and pleasant aesthetics. Green roofs can be ‘extensive’, meaning they have a soil depth of 50-200mm, or ‘intensive’, meaning the soil depth is greater than 200mm and can accommodate deeper rooting plants including small trees.
These are becoming more popular in new homes and apartment buildings, due to their insulation quality and pleasant aesthetics. Green roofs can be ‘extensive’, meaning they have a soil depth of 50-200mm, or ‘intensive’, meaning the soil depth is greater than 200mm and can accommodate deeper rooting plants including small trees.
Play around with levels
Stepped garden beds, planter boxes and funky water features add interest to a rooftop and pose a sense of intimacy in an exposed and often windswept space. Become an organic farmer by setting up a vegie patch that will absorb rainwater and give you tasty produce. Use containers to allow drainage and prevent plants from burrowing into the roof membrane – just be sure they comply with height restrictions if placed near railings. Iceberg lettuce, snow peas, kale, spinach, zucchini and cherry tomatoes are ideal. Herbs are another easy way to make the most of this sunny area.
Stepped garden beds, planter boxes and funky water features add interest to a rooftop and pose a sense of intimacy in an exposed and often windswept space. Become an organic farmer by setting up a vegie patch that will absorb rainwater and give you tasty produce. Use containers to allow drainage and prevent plants from burrowing into the roof membrane – just be sure they comply with height restrictions if placed near railings. Iceberg lettuce, snow peas, kale, spinach, zucchini and cherry tomatoes are ideal. Herbs are another easy way to make the most of this sunny area.
Consider artificial grass
Although the purchase may seem costly, artificial grass is a terrific option for those who don’t have the time or energy to water, mow and edge their lawn. Synthetic turf also drains well, saves water and is weather resistant. The kids will love it, too – you could place toys on the grass or even a ping pong table, if there’s room, to encourage outdoor play.
HOT TIP
Avoid installing cheap varieties of artificial grass as they will look fake and won’t be as comfortable to sit on.
Although the purchase may seem costly, artificial grass is a terrific option for those who don’t have the time or energy to water, mow and edge their lawn. Synthetic turf also drains well, saves water and is weather resistant. The kids will love it, too – you could place toys on the grass or even a ping pong table, if there’s room, to encourage outdoor play.
HOT TIP
Avoid installing cheap varieties of artificial grass as they will look fake and won’t be as comfortable to sit on.
Include a shade source
Although everyone loves entertaining outdoors in summer, the hot Aussie sun can be scorching during the day so provide your guests or family with a large shade umbrella made of UV-resistant material or install a removable sailcloth for the ultimate in comfort.
Although everyone loves entertaining outdoors in summer, the hot Aussie sun can be scorching during the day so provide your guests or family with a large shade umbrella made of UV-resistant material or install a removable sailcloth for the ultimate in comfort.
Start small
As long as your rooftop is in good condition and approved for foot traffic, a rooftop escape could be your ideal new project. If you don’t have a big budget, some simple decking and a few tables and chairs are all you need to create a comfortable viewing and entertaining platform. Remember to consult a structural engineer and your local council before undertaking any large scale building or garden installation.
As long as your rooftop is in good condition and approved for foot traffic, a rooftop escape could be your ideal new project. If you don’t have a big budget, some simple decking and a few tables and chairs are all you need to create a comfortable viewing and entertaining platform. Remember to consult a structural engineer and your local council before undertaking any large scale building or garden installation.
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