Summer in the city often has negative connotations: Heat and the lack of outdoor options fuel a get-out-of- Dodge attitude. This has all changed, now that luxe urban rooftops and patios have become the hottest trend in the New Jersey Tri-state area. Anthony Carrino, HGTV cohost of “Kitchen Cousins” and cofounder of the Home With the Cousins podcast, has transformed his Jersey City rooftop into a veritable urban oasis. For city dwellers, the rooftop has become the new backyard

A rooftop outfitted with high-end grilling equipment, lounging furniture, and dining pieces can provide the feel of a country or suburban backyard. Carrino has thoughtfully planned and designed his outdoor space for entertaining and for an escape from the frenetic city lifestyle. “It is a worthwhile investment for all homeowners,” he says. “In urban markets, a rooftop deck may return up to 150% of the enhancement project’s costs in resale value, especially in warmer climates, where homeowners can enjoy their decks year round.”

When asked recently about designing a rooftop deck, Carrino provided the feedback that follows. For more information, visit www.coyoteoutdoor.com or call (724) 625-3155.

For entertaining purposes, what are the key components for cooking, seating, and visual enhancement of a rooftop? Scale and proportion are absolutely key when designing any space, and that certainly holds true outside. A roof deck has decidedly less space than a yard, for example, so layout and choices are key.

With respect to entertaining, I love to cook, so both a grill and a smoker are at the top of my list, and I will run them in tandem. For example, smoked wings are on my Asado smoker, and then I can get veggies and burgers on my 36-inch Coyote grill. When it comes to seating, I like to replicate the feeling of an indoor living room: sophisticated, layered, and comfortable.

What have you learned, in creating your own rooftop oasis, that might help others who are considering upgrading their urban outdoor spaces? The Northeast is an unforgiving place for outdoor spaces (meaning our weather’s changes can put your materials through the wringer), so it is key to select quality components if you want them to last, year after year. Moreover, the types of materials you are selecting are just as important, as they will play a key role in how much maintenance you have to do on your rooftop.

For example, the powder coating on all the Coyote furniture I selected allows me simply to put out my cushions and enjoy the space. When I had teak furniture up there, the amount of power washing that had to be done on a biseasonal basis was daunting.

Does the city skyline affect the way you design the space, either functionally or aesthetically? From a functional standpoint, no; from an aesthetic standpoint, yes: As with the design of any space, one must decide what the focal point will be. In my case the backdrop of Jersey City is fantastic and can be seen in 360 degrees, but when I am designing for clients who have views in one specific direction, we definitely plan the space to take full advantage of those views.