Roof garden ideas: Top 10 chic ways to use the space on your rooftop, regardless of size

Have a roof? With these stylish roof garden ideas, you can turn it into a relaxing haven…

 

There is something so elegant about a roof garden. Sure they can be kind of hard to build and you have to come up with some fairly inventive roof garden ideas to make the most of them, but done well they can be even more of an asset than a regular backyard. What backyard can provide alfresco cocktails with a wonderful view?

‘Having a rooftop garden is a terrific way to boost your style of life and the value of your property.’ explain NY based exterior designer The Manscapers. ‘For those of us in urban areas, we often don’t have much of a yard so taking use of your rooftop to construct a garden might be the perfect retreat required. There are also fewer mosquitos on a rooftop garden. So with some shade from a pergola or an umbrella and a lovely wind it’s a paradise to take you outdoors on your own rooftop.’

Sounds dreamy. And to illustrate just how much of an asset a rooftop garden can be, we’ve picked together plenty of real-life examples that can help you make the most of your area no matter what the size… (Roof garden ideas)

1. SELECT PLANTS THAT WILL SUCCESS ON A ROOF TOP

Planting in a backyard differs greatly from planting on a roof terrace since plants cannot be planted in the ground. As a result, anything you plant—whether it be in raised beds, pots, or other containers—will be dependent only on you and the weather since they cannot get water from the earth. Which plants are ideal for a rooftop garden will depend on this. Depending on your environment, but generally speaking, choose sun-loving and drought-resistant plants.

It’s crucial to have enough irrigation in place before planting any kind of rooftop garden. The Manscapers say, “No matter how often you think you will be able to water, it will never be enough to satisfy your plant needs because rooftops get a lot of sun and get very hot in the summer.”

We like planting sun-loving plants that provide the impression of being in an aerial garden. Ornamental grasses like Mexican feather grass and fountain grass are some of our favorites. We prefer to add flashes of color that vary with the seasons by planting perennials that bloom in the spring, summer, and autumn. For aroma and color, among of our favorites include Verbena, Liatris Blazing Stars, and Lavender.

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Also Reading: 20 of the greatest plants for ground cover

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2. USE NATURALISM IN PLANTING TO CREATE A WILD RETREAT

‘Rewilding’—letting plants lose their controlled neatness without allowing them to take over—is one of the major garden fads of this year. Plants that flow freely contribute to the more casual, laid-back vibe of clean, minimalist gardens.

One excellent example is this city roof garden with a meadow theme. With its wildly planted garden borders, this eighth-floor city roof garden designed by Aralia’s Alastair Henderson seems immersive and realistic.

The skillfully planted trees and tiered plants make the city roof garden seem secluded even with adjacent buildings. The primary planting featured numerous trees, including multi-stemmed heptacodium trees, which attract bees and bloom in fall, little olives, and amelanchier, which has magnificent blossoms in March. The osmanthus hedge, with its rich jasmine-scented flowers in mid-spring, was also planted. Ilex balls, pittosporum, and Pinusmugo—a hardy, slowly growing shrub—are scattered throughout.

(Roof garden ideas)

3. Convert a rooftop into an alfresco living area.

The concept of living both inside and outside has become quite popular recently. Modern garden furniture looks beyond just pulling out the old plastic table and chairs; it now aims to create a whole space outside, complete with accessories and décor.

And roof gardens fit in well with this trend, particularly if you’re looking for low-maintenance garden ideas if you’re short on space and can’t accommodate a lot of plants. Consider your area like you would a living room; furnish it with a coffee table, couch, armchairs, lights, and an outside rug to give the illusion of an additional room with a view.

The greatest trees to grow in pots might help you offer some seclusion and soften the area a little. Because olive trees grow well in containers and provide a Mediterranean feel to any area, you may almost feel as if you’re sipping an Aperol spritz on an Ibiza rooftop bar (yes, we said nearly…).

4. USE GREENERY TO ADD PRIVACY TO A ROOF GARDEN

 

Creating a private, serene oasis on your roof garden can be achieved by incorporating various types of greenery. Tall plants and small trees like bamboo, ornamental grasses, or dwarf fruit trees provide height and density, effectively blocking views from neighboring buildings. Evergreen hedges and shrubs such as boxwood, holly, or privet form dense, year-round screens that offer continuous, solid barriers, enhancing the garden’s structure.

When combined with trellises or pergolas, climbing plants such as wisteria, clematis, and ivy provide vertical covering that transforms simple walls or fences into rich, living screens. Vertical garden systems, often known as green walls, make the most of available space, provide great privacy screening, and enhance insulation and air quality. Huge pots and containers filled with a range of plants, such as little trees, bushes, and long grasses, provide immediate seclusion and give a multitude of design possibilities.

Garden borders are softened and aesthetics are enhanced by hanging plants such as trailing ivy and ferns, which offer foliage at higher levels. Effective privacy solutions may be achieved using bamboo screens or fences, which can provide a thick, natural barrier with a tropical appeal. Choose plants that are appropriate for your climate and rooftop conditions, make sure they get regular upkeep, and utilize strong structural supports when using greenery for seclusion.

Layering plants of varying heights and choosing designs that complement your garden’s overall style will enhance both privacy and visual appeal.

5. INCLUDE A TINY OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Whether located on the ground floor or eleven floors above, an outdoor kitchen can be a great feature to any garden. They design the perfect gathering area, so you aren’t dragged up in the kitchen or rushing inside to get beverages while everyone else is outdoors having a good time. Consider an outdoor kitchen as an elevated BBQ where you can cook and yet be a part of the celebration.

The little roof garden is the cherry on top of this Parisian apartment. It fits a lot in, however, despite its small size. There’s a formal dining area next to the outdoor kitchen, and a tiny outdoor living area for cozier get-togethers is hidden around the corner. In addition to providing much-needed vegetation, the fence effectively divides the area and gives the impression that the roof is larger.

6. OR CONSTRUCT IN A PIZZA OVEN OR FIRE

If installing a kitchen on your rooftop isn’t feasible, think about installing a pizza oven or a fire pit as an alternative form of outdoor heating. Think about going for a wall-mounted alternative if you are dealing with a limited area where square footage is very important.

A pizza oven has been built into the side of an abandoned chimney breast in this rooftop garden. If you like a more understated rustic style, a pizza oven could be a better choice than a big, massive BBQ. You can also usually use them for purposes other than simply cooking pizza.

7. USE A LOT OF DEPTH TO GROW INTO A BIGGER SPACE

Roof gardens are often lower in size by design. However, the same techniques still work to provide the impression of larger space in a tiny garden. One fairly easy one is to surround the perimeter of your roof garden with plenty of plants. This will muddy the lines defining your area and make it less distinct, particularly if there is vegetation outside your roof garden. In that case, you may kind of… borrow space.

According to Kristina, “Mirrors look amazing when surrounded by potted plants, perhaps with a honeysuckle or rose trailing across the glass. They’re also great for adding a sense of depth.” One further helpful tip is to include some huge features even in small spaces; one large container with a giant plant works better than several little pots scattered around.

8. THOUGHTFULLY ADDING A TOP CONSERVATORY

We understand why connecting the outdoors is at the top of so many homeowners’ lists of priorities. In the warmer months, there is something absolutely lovely about the smooth transition from a kitchen or living area to the outdoors. No, although it may seem impossible to achieve when you don’t have a backyard, you can still achieve this blurring of the lines between inside and outdoor space by having a roof garden. As this contemporary house illustrates…

In warmer weather, French doors swing open, allowing you to get from the living room to the top terrace in just one motion. There is a covered area on the roof garden that is ideal for shade and rain, and it is a year-round environment.

9. GIVE CONTAINER GARDENING A GO

Being a city gardener’s dream, container gardening is ideal for rooftop gardens because it can provide color, texture, intrigue, and greenery to even the tiniest areas.

The most creative container garden designs make use of a wide range of pots and containers in terms of size, form, and material. This combination also contributes to the container garden’s depth, making it seem more like a gorgeous, interesting show that mimics nature rather than just a collection of plants in homogeneous pots.

Select modern and sleek pots and combine them with classic terracotta patterns. Incorporate tall, slender forms with expansive circular patterns, and bridge any spaces with a variety of small planters.

10. INCLUDE RAISED BED GARDEN STRUCTURE WITH A ROOFTOP

You cannot dig below in a rooftop garden, as we have said from the outset, in contrast to a ground-level garden. However, you are able to excavate. An authentic ‘backyard’ impression may be achieved on a rooftop by adding borders with raised beds.

Handle your raised beds with the same care as any other garden border; you want them to look excellent all year round, be full, have depth, and a variety of textures, heights, and colors. You may even live the good life in the city and plant a little vegetable garden.

We like how the raised beds give this roof terrace more structure; rather than seeming like a roof terrace, it seems like a lovely, established garden.

WHICH PLANTS ARE BEST FOR A ROOF GARDEN?

“Ideally, plants should be able to withstand wind, drought, and sun or shade, depending on their location.” The greatest plants for exposed roof gardens or balconies are seashore and clifftop marine plants. According to Matt James, the proprietor of Matt James Landscape & Garden Design and an experienced gardener, “Alpines, squat pines, dwarf fan palms, mounding shrubs like hebe and Mediterranean herbs including thyme and lavender are ideal and naturally thrive in such typically harsh conditions.”

Even in areas shielded from the main winds, steer clear of bamboos and thirsty plants like bananas since they dry out twice as quickly. Select essential examples that maintain their attractive appearance for as long as possible, since there probably won’t be enough space or structural support for varied collections of plants in pots. The most prized types are evergreen ones.

Due to the frequent issue of wind exposure on roof gardens, anything with a large “sail area”—which, regrettably, includes many trees—must be avoided. Matt continues, “They’ll either get rock loss and struggle to establish in their pots, or the foliage will quickly become shredded and unsightly.”

Additionally, large pots are required for trees and large plants used as screening; yet, considering the load bearing capability of many balconies and roof terraces, these pots may be just too heavy. If space permits, pine trees or holm oaks may find some shelter in the shade of wind-tolerant plants such as flax (Phormium) and daisy bush (Olearia), but this tactic is only effective for tiny specimens.

HOW CAN A ROOF GARDEN BE MADE MORE PRIVATE?

“Choosing solid barriers is a bad idea.” First of all, they could obstruct views of the surrounding area, and secondly, powerful winds will batter them and explode over the top with significant force, says Matt.

Rather, wind-filtering materials such as perforated or porous sailcloth, trelliswork, or haphazard cedar battens provide seclusion and wind-filtration. Both permanent shade sails and a portable parasol could be useful. Both will provide protection from the intense sun. Tall, robust pots could be useful in keeping curious eyes at bay, but once again, weight is an important factor to take into account.