If you’re looking for deck decorating ideas, you know that your outdoor living space has the potential to be a favorite destination for family and friends. It just takes a little planning and inspiration to transform your deck into an attractive, inviting space.
How you think about deck decorating ideas is actually quite similar to how you might think through decorating indoor rooms: You’ll need to decide how you want the space to look, feel, and function. Then, you can build out your color scheme, design, furniture, and décor choices from there.
As you consider these deck decorating ideas, remember to always choose outdoor furniture and décor to ensure your pieces can withstand the elements.
How to think through deck room ideas
Deck decorating ideas range from full-scale overhauls of your deck design to simple furniture and décor additions, but they all center around creating specific areas on your deck. Depending on the size of your outdoor living space, you may be able to incorporate more than one area into your design for optimal functionality.
Before you dive into deck room ideas, you’ll need to first think through the following factors so you can start forming a plan for your deck design:
1. Project Budget & Scope
Finishing Touches
Smaller budget + shorter timeline = More money for decor, quicker outcomes
Full-scale Structural Addition
Larger budget + longer timeline = Less money for decor, longer outcome
2. Deck Function
Hosting family dinner parties
Hosting friends for happy hour
Maintaining a multi-functional living space
3. Look & Feel
Cozy retreat
Entertainment venue
Happy medium between the two
With these factors in mind for your project, you’re ready to explore deck decorating ideas and choose the ones that best suit your needs and unique style.
1. Light up the space
Add a touch of romance to your space with outdoor lighting such as string lights, lanterns, or even built-in lighting in your deck or railing. The soft glow of your chosen lighting not only increases the cozy atmosphere of your space, but provides visibility for safety after sunset.
2. Protect your patio with a cover
Enjoy your dinner outdoors with some protection from the elements with covered deck features. For complete overhead protection to enjoy outdoor eats rain or shine, place your dining set under a roof extension. A roof extension blends in with the rest of your home exterior for a cohesive aesthetic.
3. Green up the space
For a softer, natural feel, use edging plants like hedges for deck skirting that blends in. If your deck is low to the ground, plant thick, full greenery around the perimeter to create an attractive and natural privacy screen. For higher decks, place tall, lush potted plants around your perimeter for the same effect.
4. Warm up your deck with a fireplace
A fireplace can act as the centerpiece of your deck seating area and can add that needed touch of warmth. They can also allow you to enjoy your deck no matter the season. Depending on your budget and space, you can opt for a portable fire pit or have a fireplace added to your deck. Plus, our composite decking is flame retardant, making it a safer option than natural wood if you choose to add a fire pit.
5. Add an outdoor mudroom
If you have an enclosed deck, this one’s for you. In a corner of your deck, place a couple of wall hooks for wet towels or jackets, plus an outdoor cubby rack to organize shoes. To finish the mudroom, add a couple of decorative chairs for taking shoes on and off before walking into your house.
6. Establish a color scheme
Think about the rooms in your home — they all likely have a specific color scheme that supports the look and feel you’re going for. While you may not necessarily have walls to paint on your deck, these deck room ideas allow you to develop a color scheme with your deck board, railing, furniture, and other décor.
Warm Neutral Color Scheme
Opt for an inviting Scandinavian color scheme by making warm neutrals the primary color for your design. Choose warm tan decking like Weathered Teak and incorporate wood tones and natural textiles into your design for a cozy, inviting vibe. For contrast that doesn’t feel too harsh, opt for off-white furniture and a sleek black composite railing like a Contemporary Top Rail to finish your space.
Cool Coastal Color Scheme
Want to evoke the cool, breezy feel of the coast? Embrace a color scheme that champions blues, whites, and grays. Choose gray composite decking like Coastline for your foundation and build out your color scheme with gray wicker furniture featuring deep blue cushions and white and light blue throw pillows. For your railing, opt for a crisp white composite railing with stainless steel cable infill for clear sight lines to your backyard views.
High-Contrast Color Scheme
Modernize your outdoor living space with a high-contrast color scheme. Choose richly hued decking like Mahogany for a deep brown primary color. Pair it with other dark elements like a black railing and black-framed furniture for a sleek, modern look. Then, add high-contrast elements like bright white cushions and throw pillows to lighten the scene.
7. Play with pops of color
Use punches of color throughout your deck décor to keep it bright and fun. Mimic colors of the flowers in your garden, like green, violet, and coral. Or just focus on a two-toned look that keeps your deck looking lively but not overwhelming.
8. Add a deck framing bench
Planning on hosting larger family dinners, BBQs, or other get-togethers? Make sure all your guests have a place to sit with built-in deck benches. Built-in seating adds functionality to your space while also giving you an interesting design element. Be sure to place seating at the perimeter of your deck to optimize your available space.
Keep in mind, however, that built-in benches are a structural deck decorating idea, and you’ll need to have a solid plan to implement them into your deck design. Be sure to speak to a contractor if you’re not keen on adding built-in seating yourself.
9. Bring the beach to your decor
Love the beach and want to bring it to your backyard? Or are you lucky enough to have a beach for a backyard? Either way, you can bring the beach to your deck with coastal décor. Focus on picking out furnishings and decorations that follow the recognizable navy blue and sand color palette. Look for items that are nautical, like thick ropes and driftwood pieces.
10. Add privacy with a lattice
Ensure your outdoor living room is just as private and secluded as your interior living room with deck decorating ideas that increase your space’s privacy.
For permanent privacy, build a privacy screen around a section of your deck. The screen can be as simple as a slatted panel or more decorative like a trellis.
11. Make it a zen space with a water feature
Make your deck area a calm retreat with a decorative water feature such as a water fountain or water bowl. You can either place your water fountain directly onto your deck or embed it into your yard space surrounded with rocks and lush greenery.
12. Get cozy with furniture
Recreate the familiar coziness of your living room with your deck space. For an irresistibly cozy deck, choose indoor-inspired furniture like wicker chairs that feature curved armrests and cushioned seats. Then, layer on the textiles such as patterned throw pillows and throw blankets to encourage guests to settle in — and stay — outside.
13. Play with textures
Your deck is a great opportunity to play around with different combinations of textures and materials. Pick out a composite decking and have a stone or brick-faced fireplace installed, for example. For your dining area, you might pair metal chairs with a farmhouse-style wood table. Varied materials can add dimension and character to your deck space.
14. Add an attractive focal point
Just like your interior, your outdoor living room should have an eye-catching focal point. Choose a conversation starter such as an intricately designed coffee table to create an interesting visual anchor for your design.
15. Cover with a pergola or canvas
A pergola is an elegant structure that gives your deck a striking architectural feature while providing light sun protection with its slatted roof. For greater overhead protection, consider adding a shade canopy or cabana, which will provide your space with additional color and texture.
16. Spice it up with multiple levels
Tiered decks can allow you to segment areas for different purposes, such as lounging or dining. Build out each deck with the appropriate furnishings, and tie all the decks together with a simple color scheme for a cohesive look.
17. Throw in some decorative pillows
The more pillows, the better. Plenty of comfy yet stylish pillows can make your outdoor space feel like it’s part of your indoor home. Pillows can be interchangeable depending on the season or your mood Remember to choose pillows made of outdoor fabric. You can also spray your pillows with a washable protectant that helps with stains and excessive moisture.
18. Create an inviting tablescape
Nothing invites family and friends to share a meal quite like a beautiful tablescape. A tablescape refers to an intentionally arranged tabletop that evokes a specific theme, aesthetic, or feeling. You can decorate your outdoor table and stick to a seasonal theme by adding a leafy garland for winter or a bowl of fruit for the summer.
If you prefer a more minimalist approach, you can keep it basic with a simple table runner and centerpiece. Use a wicker basket filled with mismatched candles to do double duty as an eye-catching focal point and light source when sunset arrives.
19. Integrate a kitchen into your deck design
Outdoor kitchens can be as simple or elaborate as you want — but keep in mind the larger and more complex your kitchen design, the higher the project costs. Plus, depending on the size and weight of your kitchen features, you may need to make changes to your deck substructure in order for it to support the new weight of the kitchen.
To optimize your space, build your outdoor kitchen on the edge or in a corner of your deck — but be sure to check with local building codes to ensure your kitchen structure can be built near the edge.
Keep in mind that decks higher than 30 inches off the ground typically require a railing, so your kitchen structure will need to be an acceptable substitute for a railing or be built in front of a railing.
20. Add a bar for informal gathering
Nothing is quite as satisfying as sipping an ice-cold drink on a warm summer day. Encourage regular informal gathering outdoors with deck room ideas that feature a built-in bar on your deck.
Similar to outdoor kitchen ideas, outdoor bars can be as simple or complex as you like, from a bar cart to a built-in bar top complete with refrigeration and storage space. Be sure to work with a contractor to ensure your deck substructure can support the new addition.
21. Create a functional and stylish perimeter
Embrace functional deck decorating ideas with a stylish Drink Rail or Contemporary Top Rail. Both railing designs feature a flat board top rail, giving you the ideal spot to set down your drink or plate while also providing a sleek, streamlined aesthetic.
Drink Rail
- For a TimberTech deck board top rail you can choose from one of our collections featuring square-shoulder, full-profile boards
- Deck board can be installed between posts or in an over-the-post application
- Featured in our Classic Composite Series and Impression Rail Express aluminum railing series
Contemporary Top Rail
- Curved-edge board top rail that comes in Classic Black or Traditional Walnut
- Installed in a continuous line in an over-the-post application for a sleek look
- Featured in the Classic Composite Series
With a sampling of deck room ideas for your outdoor living space, you’re ready to dive into more inspiration to spark your creativity further. The best place to do that is our Inspiration Gallery, which features curated outdoor living spaces you can virtually visit for an immersive experience.
Explore each unique deck to see how the right deck decorating ideas can transform your space into the haven you deserve. You can also contact us and we can help you create your dream deck.
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Explore our Inspiration Gallery and see cool, contemporary builds sure to give you ideas for your own space.
