Your deck is a prime living space just waiting for a makeover. If yours is currently sad, unused, and unloved, it’s time to change it. With the right décor changes and upgrades, you can make it into the ultimate dining and relaxation space.
Not sure where to begin? No worries, as this guide is full of great ideas to boost your outdoor space and make over your deck.
Give it a Full Refresh
First things first, your deck needs to be structurally sound. If it’s not, this needs to be rectified. Look underneath your deck for any signs of rot or rust, and any loose joists or other connections like nails.
Next, you’ll want to have a look at the railings. Railings can take a beating over winters, as snow and ice push up against them. If they wiggle when you shake them, for example, it’s critical to replace them with a strong, durable, rust-free option like these aluminum railings.
Plan Out Your Living Space
The next step is to plan out the living space. If your deck is big enough, for example, you’ll want to “zone” it with a dining, cooking, and even potentially a living space. This can easily be done by following these steps:
- Measuring your deck
- Measuring your furniture or wish-list furniture sets
- Using a free online floor plan tool to work out what fits and what doesn’t
- Zoning different areas based on the size of your deck, sun position, and view.
Start Decorating
Once your furniture is in place, it’s time to start decorating. You can do this in a few ways.
· Use a Veranda
A veranda that is attached to the rear of your home (or stands on its own) is a great way to frame your dining or living space. You can grow beautiful plants like climbing roses right up and along the slats of your veranda as well, making it a beautiful way to frame the space while blending nature with interior living.
· Use Potted Plants
Potted plants are another great way to soften the divide between your deck and your backyard. Use them in clusters for a full Mediterranean garden effect. As a bonus, you can specifically focus on kitchen variety plants like a bay tree or herbs for that glorious scent (and to stock your kitchen with fresh taste).
· Don’t Forget Lighting
Lighting is a great way to transition your deck into nighttime seamlessly and beautifully. For the best effect, upgrade your porch lights to match your design. You can then follow up with solar-powered garden lights if you want an easy upgrade, or with a full-scale lighting system that works to add detailed spotlights throughout your garden. Don’t be afraid to use string lights or festoon lights from online retailers, too (just make sure the plug connection stays dry).
Landscape Your Backyard
Finally, remember to landscape your backyard. You can easily do this yourself and on a relatively small budget by buying plants when they are small and being patient. In a few years, you can have a magazine-ready backyard and the deck space to enjoy it.
Read More:
Leave a Reply