A beautiful deck that expands the living space of your home and converts your yard into a retreat for relaxation and socializing can transform your property into the ideal entertainment venue. If you want to design a custom deck to reimagine what your property can be, here are some things you should take into consideration before you begin.
1. Figure Out Your Overall Vision
Before you get to work designing the deck of your dreams, you first need to conceptualize the goal you have in mind. Do you want to create an intimate haven for just a handful of close family or friends, or do you want to build a deck on which you could host a big barbecue? Knowing exactly how you want to use your deck will give you a starting point for your design.
2. Account for the Space Available
Whatever you design has to work with the rest of your property. If you have acres of land, you can build a huge deck. But if you have a more modest yard, keep in mind what other things you may want to do with your property, like putting in that trampoline for the kids or growing a vegetable or flower garden. Make a realistic assessment of how much space you can dedicate to the deck itself.
At the same time, don’t get too discouraged if you don’t have as much space as you would like. While you may not be able to check off all those boxes for your dream deck ideas, there are plenty of small deck designs that can add beauty and utility to your outdoor living space. Space-saving tricks, like built-in benches or flower boxes, can help you make the most out of limited space.
3. Consider the Flow of Foot Traffic
Your deck should be built so that people can easily access it, as well as access across or around it, depending on how it is situated with respect to your house and yard. Design your deck so that people can go where they need to go–for example, in and out of the house or into the yard–without getting in the way of your barbecuing, dining, or conversation space.
4. Get Some Shade from the Sun
Lounging out under the summer sun can be fun, but you also want to make sure you have adequate shelter for hot days. Blinding sunlight, wilting salads, and overheated guests will not add to the enjoyment of your deck. An awning or a well-placed tree can do the job. Think about where your deck is in relation to the sun at different times of day when planning your space, and decide how you are going to make it comfortable, even if it means just adding an umbrella or two.
5. Create Beautiful Views
One of the best parts about sitting on your deck is enjoying the view it provides of the surrounding landscape. Keep that in mind when designing your deck so that you can give it the best angles to look at your own yard and any features beyond your yard. Consider, also, the deck’s visibility from other nearby homes. If you have a smaller property, landscape your yard with the deck in mind, both for enhancing the view and for maintaining privacy.
6. Choose the Right Materials
Once you have in mind the deck design, next consider what materials you want to use. Different materials have different characteristics when it comes to looks, ease of maintenance, longevity, and cost. Natural wood is almost always visually appealing, and there are a lot of choices in an array of price ranges, but some woods require considerable maintenance.
Composite materials–that is, decking made from a composite of real wood, plastic, and other additives–are a popular choice for their clean look, ease of maintenance, durability, and kid-friendly surface. Whatever you do, take some time to learn about the materials before making your choice, because a well-built deck will last for decades.
7. Seek Out Trustworthy Help
Unless you have some serious DIY know-how, you probably aren’t going to be building your deck yourself. That’s why it’s essential you get the right help on your side to provide quality design and craftsmanship when building your deck. Choose a trustworthy firm with a proven track record of successful projects to ensure you get the deck of your dreams.
If you’re looking for professionals to install a deck that lives up to all of your expectations and more, trust our team to take care of your project. Reach out to Blue Sky Decks today and get the outdoor living space you have always wanted!