Sure, New York City apartments are tiny. However, there’s one awesome thing about living in an apartment building: Many of them have rooftops with stunning views, and you can escape to these rooftops during hot days to cool down, get some fresh air and relish the dazzling cityscape around you. If you’re not sure what you should do on your rooftop or need ways to take advantage of the space, check out some fun ideas below. Just make sure you have permission from your landlord to access and use the space before you go up there!
Set up a Garden
We all miss the greenery when we’re constantly surrounded by concrete sidewalks and steel skyscrapers. You can have a little patch of green of your own by starting a garden on the roof. Get large planters or a raised garden bed, fill it with soil, and plant seedlings. You can either tend to a garden of beautiful flowers, or you can grow fruits and vegetables of your own. Just make sure to add some chicken wire to keep out any unwanted pests. Ask your neighbors if they want to join you in planting or taking care of the garden. A shared rooftop garden is a great way to bond with and get to know the people who live around you.
Lounge in the Sun
If you’re someone who loves soaking up rays, get a lounge chair or two for your rooftop; then spend the hot days you have off work lounging in your swimwear or tank top, reading a book or magazine. Make sure you put on some sunscreen first, or get an umbrella so you can tuck away in the shade.
Add a Dining Table and Chairs
Sometimes the hot days are just too hot to spend outside in the sun. However, summer evenings in New York can be lovely and temperate. So, add a dining table and chairs to the roof. Cook dinner in your apartment, load up some trays, and enjoy it while you sit outside. Eating dinner outside on the roof is a great way to cool down after standing over a hot stove or oven cooking, and there’s no more romantic backdrop to a dinner than the twinkling lights of Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond.
Screen Movies
Are you a movie buff? Consider setting up a projector screen — or using a big flat wall if your building has one on the roof. Bring up a project and an extension cord, and hook your computer up to project a movie onto your screen. Talk to your neighbors about joining you; you can have a regular weekly or monthly movie night for your community. Everyone who participates in the movie night can take turns picking movies, or you can theme your movie series by only showing movies of a certain genre or era — horror movies, film noir, 1990s rom-coms — whatever floats your boat!
If you are looking for an apartment in New York City with a rooftop you can enjoy, look no further than NoFee Rentals. Many of the apartment rentals from NoFee Rentals have roof spaces that are available to building tenants. In fact, many even have private roof decks that offer awesome views and great amenities like picnic tables, garden space and barbecue grills. Start your search now.