When you picture yourself relaxing at home in your happy place, you may very well envision lounging on your deck. But when it comes to deck ideas to reinvigorate the oft overlooked renovation spot, you may be having a hard time figuring out what you want your future outdoor space to look like. We reached out to designers for their favorite deck designs so you can take your lovely lazing to new heights.
Whether you’re looking to do an entire deck renovation or looking for simple deck design ideas to update your space without much time or effort, keep reading to get the wheels turning. Who’s looking forward to making a batch of bloody marys or margaritas, grabbing that stack of magazines, and enjoying a sundowner on your new outdoor deck?
What should you keep in mind for deck designs?
Whether large or small, minimalist or modernist, your deck should be your own personal sanctuary. As Summer Little, founder and principal designer of Prescott Design, a luxury interior design studio in greater Atlanta, puts it, decks are an opportunity to create additional living and entertaining space to complement your interior. “When designing a deck, we always start by defining how the space will be used,” she says. “Once you know how you want to use the space and what furniture pieces you need to accomplish those goals, you can start to map out your ideal deck design.”
For Jen Samson, principal of Jen Samson Design, the majority of her firm’s projects are in California, where indoor-outdoor living is an essential part of almost all their projects. But, “No matter the weather, any outdoor spaces should be considered as part of the overall design of the home. The most obvious question we always ask our clients is how do they plan to use the space overall,” says Samson.
To start contemplating what kind of deck design is best for your home, Samson suggests considering the following questions about your ideal backyard deck: Is it a place to read a book or provide some respite from a busy day at work? A space where friends or families will gather to dine, play games, and socialize? A swanky lounge setting for playing music or hanging around a firepit? “Once the intent of the space is determined, we can design an outdoor room of sorts that caters exactly to what the clients are hoping to enjoy about their outdoor space,” she says.
Below, find a wide range of ideas that will give you the inspiration you need to get started on your deck project.