NYC Balcony & Terrace Design
Credit: New York Decks
Modern Metropolitan Balcony, Terrace and Rooftop Design
Private outdoor space is one of those wishlist items that city-dwellers everywhere dream of. Television shows and movies can make even a fire escape seem glamorous, let alone a full roof terrace (and don’t get us started on Monica and Rachel’s balcony in Friends). So if you’re dreaming of your own private patio terrace, you’re not alone.
Here in New York City, the amenity became especially precious during the pandemic. While Brooklyn boasts the most listings with private outdoor space, apartment hunters will be happy to know that Manhattan still has its fair share of buildings with private balconies, terraces, and rooftop patios.
From modern balcony designs to perfectly appointed petite patio terraces, our firm has had the pleasure of designing many an outdoor area and we know how to make the most of them.
Credit: New York Decks
Finding Your Light: Sun Exposure & Exterior Fixtures
Regardless of the size of your private outdoor space, you’ll want to take both sun exposure and exterior lighting into consideration. An experienced landscape architect will be able to determine the types of plantings that will thrive on your balcony. We have worked with some of New York’s finest landscape architects and they never cease to amaze us — and their clients — with their masterful planting plans.
Sun exposure will also determine the kind of shade structure you’ll need. For smaller urban outdoor spaces, we love this sun shade from CB2 part of their collaboration with designer Azeeza. Hidden rubber wheels make it easy to move around and the cobalt blue color has us dreaming of a trip to the Greek islands. If you have a bit more room, an umbrella is a great way to add resort vibes to your balcony. If you’re looking for year-round sun protection and a bit of added privacy, we also love pergolas and awnings (as long as your building allows for it to be adhered to the exterior).
Now that we have the daylight hours covered, let’s talk about when the sun goes down. Exterior lighting extends the amount of time you can spend outside throughout the year. If your space is equipped with or set up for hardwired lighting, there are countless modern options to choose from. From sconces on the building to uplighting in the landscaping, lighting is one of the easiest ways to elevate the ambience of your private terrace or balcony. No wiring? No problem. Thanks to solar power and battery-operated options, you can still have a safe and stylishly lit balcony, patio or terrace. We love these Moon Shaped LED’s from Dazuma.
Outdoor Activities
The amount of square footage you’re dealing with will help to determine the outdoor activities you’ll be able to enjoy. Smaller apartment balconies can accommodate a chair or two perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, reading a book, or savoring a glass of wine. For these spaces we focus on soft seating — either chairs or a small sofa — and a table for books, beverages and your favorite pair of sunnies
Larger balconies and terraces allow us to have a bit more fun. We’ll start by determining how you plan to use the area — dining al fresco obviously calls for a different layout and furniture than sunbathing — and then get into all of the delicious details.
If meals are the most important, there’s a lot to be decided. Do you prefer a standard height dining table? Or do you prefer bar height (dog owners, we’re thinking of you!)? What kind of outdoor cooking options and prep spaces will you need? Will you require a full kitchen equipped with essentials like a grill, mini refrigerator and plumbing for a sink? Perhaps your pizza oven needs its own special spot. Whatever your tools of choice are, we will work them into the design.
That being said, we want to be sure not to bog down your balcony with clutter. Trying to fit everything into one space is a common mistake that many people make in design and outdoor spaces are no exception. We always consider the flow, incorporating plenty of space around each element so you’re able to walk about with ease (no sideways shimmying necessary). It is easier to add to a design than to take away.
Finishing Touches: Outdoor Styling and Essentials
Nothing makes an outdoor space feel finished quite like styling and accessories. We are huge advocates of outdoor rugs which anchor the space and help to define seating areas. Much like outdoor furniture, this is a category that tends to intimate our clients. We hear so many fear-based comments — do I have to bring it in all the time? What kind of maintenance does it require? What if it gets ruined?
The good news is that outdoor products have come such a long way in recent years that as long as you invest in quality items, you don’t have to worry about any of those things. Contrary to popular belief, good outdoor rugs are meant to stay there all year. Yes, even in the winter. We love rugs with an open weave so the water can go through them, rather than pool on top where it can cause problems.
As for outdoor furniture, teak and metal are your best bets for frames. As we mentioned earlier, we love soft seating and there are now gorgeous, fully upholstered outdoor pieces that, with proper coverage and care, can withstand the elements in addition to options with removable cushions. And no modern outdoor space is complete without outdoor pillows; if you forget these, your design is sure to fall flat. Our number one tip for ensuring the longevity of your outdoor furniture, cushions and pillows is to invest in furniture covers or quality storage bins. You can thank us later.
When selecting outdoor serveware and decor we steer our clients towards pieces that are as weighty and durable as they are attractive. Avoid anything that might blow away. Lenox has great outdoor dining pieces with collections that work beautifully with our client’s preference for warm, modern decor.
To help our clients enjoy the beautiful balconies throughout the year, we incorporate heaters (you can read more about those here) and ethanol firepits, which add a cozy vibe and raise the temperature a few degrees, into most designs. Keeping plush blankets and robes easily accessible also extends patio season into the cooler months. Frette, Matouk and Loro Piana are our luxury linen go-tos.
Your perfect patio (or balcony, rooftop terrace or private outdoor space of any kind) is really just an extension of your home. Including your outdoor area in the original scope of work ensures that, regardless of size, it never feels like an afterthought. In fact, after we’re done with your home, it may be the very first thing that comes to mind when you get home after a long day.
