Decorating a Roof Deck

Tackle the floor first. Use wood decking material -- or pallets if you're on a tight budget -- to create different heights and define sections according to their function. For example, one section can be for dining, while another can be for sunbathing or relaxing. If your decks is very small, create a tidy raised area in a corner for a small garden. For added interest, paint a design on the floor.

If your deck is high above the city in an apartment building or on the roof of a brownstone or townhouse, paint the walls for a jolt of color against the sky. Try Caribbean pinks, greens or blues for a vivid tropical retreat. Go with pewter gray on stucco walls facing old brick walls and chimneys for something sleek and modern.

Remember that most urban roof decks are exposed to soot and pollution, so avoid white or anything too pastel that will show dirt immediately and need frequent repainting. For roof decks on lower homes that might be visible from the street, stick with colors that work with the exterior paint or siding on the rest of the house.

Measure the space and check how much exposure to wind, rain and sun the deck receives. Use your data to select the most versatile furniture for your roof deck. Place two chaises in a sheltered spot for cloud-spotting or reading. Tuck a bistro table with two tiny chairs in a corner, and add an adjustable patio umbrella anchored by a heavy stand. Place any cooking equipment, like barbecue grills, away from the entry to the house and downwind of the seating and eating areas.

Collect a variety of plant containers to landscape your roof deck. Check structural support limits if you want to add heavier objects like half-barrels planted with herbs and annuals or containers that hold small trees. Protect evergreen shrubs by training them to grow up a wall. Scatter large open pots of ornamental grasses around for drought-tolerant landscaping that keeps its sculptural outlines even when it is brown in the winter.

String fairy lights from corner poles that slip into brackets on the deck's walls. Criss-cross the light strings in the middle for a party vibe at night. Weighted translucent plastic columns with spotlights inside can be positioned quickly for parties to provide greater illumination without sacrificing ambiance. Keep plenty of pillar candles and protective glass chimneys on hand for still nights. Set a large, old-fashioned lantern on a side table or the dining table so people can see what they are eating.