In urban areas, a rooftop space offers a welcome reprieve to the hustle of city life. Offering glimmering skyscraper and sunset views, a quaint rooftop café or a spacious and sprawling rooftop bar and lounge can transform a seemingly simple, but unused space into an oasis for gathering and entertaining. Read on for the modern outdoor furniture design staples that can infuse these concrete spaces with ambiance and comfort.
Successful outdoor entertaining comes down to a handful of essentials. Plan for comfortable, weatherproof seating; a place to dine or serve; a source of warmth; shade from the sun; greenery; and layered lighting for after dark.
Flexible + Functional: Sectional Seating
A comfortable place to gather and relax is key for hospitality spaces indoors and out. Providing more seating than a traditional sofa and lounge chair combination, sectionals are an attractive small space-solution while taking up the same footprint as more traditional seating layouts. Whether oversized or compact, weather-resistant materials and cushions should be at the top of the design checklist—like rot-resistant mahogany and eucalyptus, sustainably sourced teak or powder-coated aluminum and steel—to keep these rooftop furniture pieces in prime condition no matter the season.
A Side Chair, A Side Chair There: Supplemental Seating
Side and lounge chairs are another important part to building a rooftop space with staying power. Easily moveable for events and group seating, side and lounge chairs also take advantage of smaller, quirkier-sized areas that might otherwise go unused.
Set the Table: Outdoor Dining and Serving
Anchor the space with a weather-resistant outdoor dining table scaled to the footprint, whether an intimate rooftop cafe or a full terrace. Teak and powder-coated aluminum both stand up to sun and rain while reading as considered rather than utilitarian. Pair the table with durable dining seating that invites long, unhurried meals.
A dedicated serving or bar station keeps hosts present and guests moving. For a rooftop bar or cafe, a compact console or bar cart in teak or powder-coated aluminum holds glassware, ice, and small plates within easy reach. Position it at the edge of the dining zone so service flows without crossing the lounge.
More than an Accessory: Outdoor Fireplaces
Multi-functional in nature, an outdoor fireplace adds memorable ambiance to rooftop spaces while also providing a natural gathering place, an extra surface for drinks and—especially important as temperatures begin to change, or the sun simply sets—warmth. From concrete to glass, a statement fireplace can also be eco-conscious in design when fueled by clean liquid bio-ethanol which ensures smokeless, soot and toxic-free use.
To extend the usable season, pair a statement fireplace with a few portable patio heaters that can move wherever guests gather on cooler evenings. The combination keeps a rooftop or terrace comfortable well after sunset.
Style + Shade: Outdoor Umbrellas
Just as a fire table or a pit are must-haves on cool evenings, so is providing shade from the harsh summer sun. Outdoor umbrellas are a great way to provide portable shade that can adjust as the sun makes its way across the sky. Not only does the shade keep the space cooler, but an outdoor umbrella will also protect guests’ skin from sun damage on hot summer days.
Rooted in Style: Greenery and Outdoor Rugs
Planters and greenery soften the hard edges of an urban rooftop and screen sightlines for privacy without walling off the view. Group varied heights to frame a lounge or line a parapet, choosing weather-hardy species suited to wind and sun. Ground each seating zone with an outdoor rug that defines the area underfoot and warms bare concrete or decking.
After Dark: Mood Lighting
Using string lights or modular wall lighting adds an artistic touch to rooftop lounges, bars and cafes. Blending form and function, placing lighting overhead or against a wall near seating space will keep the space functioning—and beautifully so—long into the night.
Bringing It Together: Zoning Your Outdoor Space
The most inviting outdoor spaces read as a series of rooms rather than one open expanse. Divide the footprint into distinct zones: a sectional-anchored lounge, a dining table for gathering, and a smaller conversation area, letting fire and shade mark the edges. Outdoor rugs delineate each zone underfoot, so even a compact rooftop feels purposeful and complete.
Outdoor Entertaining FAQ
What do you need for outdoor entertaining?
The essentials are weatherproof seating, a table for dining or serving, a source of warmth, shade, greenery, and layered lighting. Together they turn an open terrace into a functional room.
What is an outdoor entertaining area called?
It goes by many names depending on the setting, including a patio, terrace, courtyard, or outdoor room. In hospitality, it is often a rooftop lounge, cafe, or bar.
What are the best materials for outdoor furniture?
Look for rot-resistant mahogany and eucalyptus, sustainably sourced teak, and powder-coated aluminum and steel. For upholstery, Batyline, Dralon, Sunbrella, and Texsilk with QuickDryFoam fill hold up well outdoors.
How do you light an outdoor entertaining space after dark?
Layer it. Combine ambient sources such as string or pendant lights with task lighting near dining and serving zones, then add low, warm accents to define seating areas.
