Your deck is an extension of your home, and it should feel like one! Building a deck can be a big investment, so make sure you’re getting the most out of it. There are several things you can do to make your deck a place you’ll love spending time on. And your options for outdoor luxury are more numerous than ever!
Outdoor furniture has come a long way. Gone are the days of stiff, boring furniture as your only options for outdoor furnishings. Now you can find outdoor furniture in nearly as many styles and tastes as indoor furniture! There are couches, loveseats, sectionals, tables, lounge chairs, rugs, and even pillows specifically designed to withstand the weather. You can feel just as comfortable sitting around outside as you are in your living room.
Create a Cozy Feeling
Outdoor lighting is always a good idea, increasing safety and allowing you to enjoy your deck after dark. It can create an ambient mood and make you want to curl up and relax on your deck well after sunset. Adding a firepit is also a fun addition. Not only does it create a fun, festive atmosphere in the summer; it’s cozy warmth lets you enjoy your deck into the cooler months too!
Furniture and decor that you enjoy make a difference, too. It just makes sense that if you create a comfy space that you like the look of, you’ll naturally find yourself spending more time outdoors enjoying it. You could even extend the idea of making it feel like home by setting up your outdoor area with different “rooms” just like you do inside. There could be a barbecue area with a grill and table, a lounging area with a firepit and sectional, and so on!
Getting A Good Layout
The way your deck is built and set up is a factor too. Multi-level decks break up a space and create a natural separation between areas. A popular option is placing a barbecue grill and table on the level nearest the house, a seating area on the next level, and maybe a pool or hot tub on the level below that. It creates a nice flow because it leads you from the home to the yard.
However, even if you have a single level deck, you can still easily set up different areas to break the large space into more intimate areas. Especially if you have people over for parties, this allows guests to feel comfortable wandering between spaces and pulling a chair to join the smaller groups. A multi-level deck or the addition of a gazebo or pergola makes a statement and very clearly defines different sections. On the other hand, if you prefer a less-noticeable separation, you can arrange your furniture and leaving spaces between focal points to subtly break up the space.
Whatever you decide to do with your outdoor space, a deck makes a great addition to any home and lets you feel at home both indoors and out.
Thanks for these tips for a deck. I actually didn’t know that you should try to have some kind of firepit on the deck. I’m interested to learn if the deck can be built around a firepit in a way that still makes the deck beautiful and functional.
My fiance and I moved into a new home recently and we want to make some changes. We are going to start with some deck additions to make things prettier. Getting a good layout is a great idea that we will try to look into first.
My wife and I want to build a deck this summer, so thanks for sharing this. I like your point about how multi-level decks break up the space. We might have to try this kind of design out so we can maximize our space.
I’m planning on having a deck made. It makes sense that I would want to try to make it cozy! I’ll look for some different kinds of outdoor lighting to use out there.