Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 Ways You Can Turn Your Apartment Patio Into an Urban Oasis

Summer is here and that means barbecues, chill nights by the fire, and quality time outside enjoying the sun. But if you’re a city dweller, the best outdoor spots like rooftop lounges can be hard to find and even harder to get into. Have no fear, we’ve rounded up our favorite products for creating your very own urban oasis.

Whether it’s a balcony or a rooftop space, there are special considerations for creating the perfect urban oasis that your suburban friends with backyards don’t have to worry about. Two of the biggest issues are privacy and wind. Cramped city blocks filled with highrises means you most likely have neighbors across from you, or even above you, who can see right into your patio. These same buildings create wind tunnels that can put a damper on parties and send lightweight patio furniture flying. To upgrade your apartment patio, begin by blocking the wind naturally by starting with …

Plants

Image used with permission by copyright holder

You can tackle both problems by building a natural privacy wall using Gold Bar Maiden Grass. This plant grows up to four feet tall to create a hedge for privacy and they form a natural wind barrier. The gold striped leaves of the maiden grass pair perfectly with the acacia wood of the Alicante Outdoor Planter from World Market. Gold Bar Maiden Grass does well in tall, slender containers so grab the “small” size planter and enjoy your stylish new privacy screen.

Follow up your wind blocking plants and planters with someplace nice to sit a spell with …

Furniture

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The higher up your outdoor space, the harsher the elements. From wind to beating sun, you’re going to need furniture that is stylish and sturdy. Every rooftop space is different so why not get pieces that you can fully customize to suit your needs? The Pixel Collection from Maglin let’s you design your own seating. With a steel base and Ipe wood top, the pieces can be configured to become platform seating, a row of benches, or even a lounger. There are even integratable planters to add some extra greenery to truly turn your outdoor space into a mini oasis in the city.

Once you’ve got the wind blocked and a place to sit, you’re going to need to add some atmosphere (and maybe a bit of warmth) with …

Fire

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Don’t think that just because you don’t have a backyard you can’t have a bonfire like your suburban friends. Solo Stove lets you create a cozy spot to gather ‘round with and roast up some s’mores. Their Ranger model is compact, durable, and low smoke – perfect for city dwellers. This little guy runs on chunk wood or small logs, so if you’re renting, double check that your lease allows for open flames.

Finally, tie it all together with …

Flooring

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If it’s an actual rooftop space you are looking to update, there’s a high chance of being stuck with ugly asphalt tiles as your flooring. Even if it’s a cement-base balcony, you probably want to cover up that dull, boring gray. Outdoor area rugs come in every color and pattern under the sun, so finding one to fit your unique style isn’t hard. The trick is finding one that’s stylish and durable. We love Ruggable for their endless options and the fact that their rugs can be thrown in the wash.

And last, but not least, what good is an apartment patio or balcony intent on entertaining without some great …

Music

Image used with permission by copyright holder

And finally, you can’t create chill vibes without the right tunes, so getting a sound system set up is key. We love Sonos for their unbeatable sound quality. Their Sonance architectural outdoor speakers not only deliver that great sound, they also are built tough – able to withstand anything mother nature can throw at them. The only downside we see with these is that they have to be wired to the Amp. If you want to go wireless, check out the SoundTouch system from Bose. Still great quality and durability without having to worry about wires.

Have a yard instead of a patio? Jazz that space up with a fire pit. You can even build one yourself.

Editors' Recommendations

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
4 Tiny Houses You Can Buy on Amazon
Allwood Avalon Cabin Kit

From groceries to furniture to live ladybugs (just ... why?), online retail giant Amazon sells everything you could possibly need for your home. But what about an actual house? Yes, Amazon sells those too. Check out these four tiny houses (plus one awesome backyard studio) you can buy online.
Allwood Avalon Cabin Kit

Previous

Read more
The Sexy, Sleek Look of a Bugatti is Now Available for Your Home
Bugatti Luxury Living Group

Bugatti. The name rolls off the tongue with the same smoothness of the automaker’s sleek cars. While most will never get the chance to own a Chiron, you now have the opportunity to have a Bugatti in your living room. The iconic curves have been reimagined into a new line of home goods as part of Bugatti’s 110th-anniversary celebration.

To some, it may seem creating a home collection is an odd way to celebrate a milestone anniversary, but the Bugatti family started their legacy with furniture, not cars. The Cobra Chair is the hallmark piece from the new Bugatti Home Collection and it is a tribute to Carlo Bugatti, father of Ettore, the founder of the car company. Carlo was an interior designer and created the Cobra Chair in 1902. The relaunch of this iconic piece comes with some variations from the original, including a “110 Ans Bugatti” logo embroidered onto the chair back. Only 110 of these chairs will be available and they come in a range of bold colors.

Read more
This Is the One Garden Gnome You’ll Actually Want on Your Lawn
nino garden gnome brutalist 1

Pineapples on pizza. The gold versus blue dress. Gnomes on your lawn. These are the polarizing topics that pit friend against friend, brother against brother. While we may never come to terms on some of these, there is finally an answer to the centuries old gnome debate and it’s Plato Design’s Nino Garden Gnome.

People have been placing figurines in their gardens as far back as ancient Roman times. Throughout time, gnomes have represented everything from a wish for fertility to “helpers” with housework. But the popularity of these little guys has ebbed and flowed over the centuries. Originally only for the wealthy (because they were the only ones with gardens in the first place), gnomes had gone out of fashion by the start of the 20th century. And then a little movie called Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came along and the great gnome debate truly began. Once the Great Depression ended, the average working-class family could afford a house with a front lawn and they wanted to decorate that lawn with these whimsical bearded blokes.

Read more