Creating Your Perfect Summer Deck Experiences: Transforming and Decorating A Deck
The best way to make an outdoor living space feel more special is to make the main gathering area a place that’s relaxing and personal. You should make your summer deck more interesting and cozy, turning it into an oasis. Don’t forget to also focus on your patio since it features many of the same elements! Decorating a deck can be a lot of fun!
How Can I Make My Deck Interesting?
The idea of creating interest in a landscape feature is all about putting the feature to its best form and function. Of course, the primary function of a deck is to create a safe outdoor living space that adjoins the home. Decks are slightly different from patios: while performing a similar function, are mainly composed of wood or composite materials instead of masonry. When a deck is built correctly and provides a safe place for you and your family, it’s a simple functional element. Now, let’s focus on form.
The look of your deck entirely depends on how it blends together with the elements of the home and natural landscape. The materials used in the deck should complement the design of the home. Choosing the right colors is everything. Composite decks come in a variety of popular pre-set colors. You’ll get more design flexibility - but also more maintenance - with a wood deck.
In order to make your deck far more interesting, the focus should turn next to how you add some accents and improvements to the space. These are entirely personal decisions as they should resemble your artistic tastes and lifestyle. As a general note, use plenty of plant life to fill empty spaces on the deck. Add planters along the railing of the deck for flowers or edible plants such as herbs, peppers, or cherry tomatoes.
Consider what your deck will look like at night, too. Landscape lighting is absolutely essential for all to continue happily after the sun goes down. You can mount lighting under the top rail of your deck railing; or if your deck is ground-level, install pathway lights to prevent glare and safely light walking surfaces. You can also use overhead string lights or lanterns across the deck to add some festive and beautiful ambient light.
How Do You Make A Cozy Deck?
As an extension of the home and a bridge to the outdoor living space, the deck needs to be a warm and welcoming place. Here are some ideas that can make your deck unique and cozy.
1. Warming Colors
When choosing various amenities for your deck, use neutral colors like white, tan, or gray sparingly and fill your deck with color. Warmer hues such as reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, spring greens, and light browns will help to soften the look of your deck features and make the light more pleasing to the eye.
2. Cushioned Furniture
Today’s outdoor furniture is pretty luxurious so opt for cushioned furniture that’s as comfortable as indoor furniture. This is a creature comfort that can make the difference in how much time you spend outside.
3. The Element of Fun
Add an element of fun to your deck, such as a fire table, hot tub, or game space to make the days and evenings last even longer. To make the space more meaningful, try to keep the trappings of modern life (such as a TV) inside so that the deck is reserved for what matters most: spending time with family and friends.
5. Zones
The various activities that take place on the deck can make some of the fondest memories, but a cozy deck can quickly turn into a cluttered and chaotic one without the right design. Designate separate spaces of your deck for activities such as dining, sitting by the fire, cooking, playing, etc. and place high-activity areas in the flow of traffic, and low-activity zones outside the main flow of traffic.
4. A Focal Point
From the moment guests step out onto your deck, their eyes will start scanning the area. Stand by the back door and plan a focal point on your deck, or visible from your deck. This could be a gorgeous fire table that captures the eye and draws a crowd. The main flow of traffic should lead right to that space. When it comes to focal points outside the deck, you can use taller potted plants such as ornamental grasses or privacy screens to block unwanted views and limit the view to what’s desirable.
5. Lush Greenery
Adding greenery brings nature closer, which is proven to reduce stress. The greenery on your deck should reflect the atmosphere you want to create: colorful plants for a vibrant setting, monochromatic plants for a serene space for relaxation. If your deck is covered by a pergola, consider climbing plants such as wisteria or roses. As much as we love grapes climbing on a pergola, beware that birds and raccoons also love them, and will leave a mess on your deck - sticking to less edible plants will ensure a cleaner space.
6. A Mini-Fridge
Whether or not your deck houses a grill, add an outdoor-rated mini-fridge so you always have a cool beverage or snacks on hand.
How Can I Turn My Deck Into An Oasis?
Having your own little corner in this busy world seems more necessary every day. Creating a sense of privacy and solitude in your deck and backyard is all about washing out the distractions from the outside. A privacy screen such as one made with mesh or bamboo will let the majority of the sunlight through while obscuring the view from outside.
Over the top of your deck, consider adding a pergola complete with climbing vines such as roses or hops. These will also obscure the view from above and scatter sunlight.
Further washing out the distractions from outside can be done with a water feature such as a small corner fountain which adds the element of moving water to your deck. Soon, the entire space will feel much more relaxing.
How Can I Make My Patio Look Nice?
Much like a deck, the patio’s aesthetic is based on being a bridge between the home and the rest of the landscape. Many of the similar elements will make a successful patio, such as privacy screens, added greenery, water features, focal points, fire features, warm colors, and more. Soon, your outdoor living space will become even more enticing!