Your Deck Is Built. Now It’s Time to Dress It Up.
The deck – particularly for those in pleasant climates like Southern California – is a centerpiece of the home. It’s where you entertain guests, fire up the grill and spend the afternoon lounging in the sun. But a deck can be more than just a surface. There are nearly endless options to turn your deck into a unique and personalized space that will enhance your outdoor experience – and boost your home’s curbside appeal.
Here are some decking ideas to get you going.
Lights, Please!
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors from the comfort of your own deck. The sounds of nature, the light breezes, and the warm sun draw people outdoors. When the sun goes down, however, we tend to gravitate inside. It doesn’t have to be that way. With a bevy of new lighting technologies available for decks at your local lumber yard, you can create an outdoor space that’s usable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – even in winter. Just add an outdoor heater!
In the past, overhead floodlights were the only option to light your deck at night – and they felt more like interrogation lights than mood lighting. Today, you can install soft, eco-friendly LED lights above, on and even in your deck. Recessed deck lighting – where lights are embedded into the deck boards – creates a unique look and feel that resembles a swimming pool at night. If you prefer lighting from above, ditch the floodlights in favor of more stylish Edison bulbs. And in many cases, you won’t even need a contractor. There are a variety of lighting options on the market that require minimal effort to install.
Add a Canopy
A cloth canopy above your deck will add shade without the need for a full, sun-blocking cover. You can choose fabrics based on how much, or how little sun you want to shine through. Canopies are also great as patio covers because they allow the breeze to move through your deck in a far more natural way than a full cover would. Favored by upscale hotels in Miami, California and elsewhere, the cloth canopy is as versatile as it is stylish. Some manufacturers, like Infinity Canopy, make modular and adjustable canopies that can be moved, stretched and rearranged based on your preferences and needs.
Screens and Panels
Decorative screens and panels add a truly unique touch to your deck. They can be used as a visually pleasing barrier to block the neighbor’s view, partition off a part of your deck to create another “room,” or simply to add some style to your space. Deck panels come in a variety of different materials, sizes, and designs. Manufacturers like OutDeco have extensive selections of designs to choose from, ensuring that you’ll find something that suits your space.
Add Unique Touches
Sometimes, the little details make the biggest difference. Small touches like hardware, stains, and unique design quirks will turn a plain deck into a fully-realized atmosphere. Try using interesting hardware. Ornate, powder-coated fasteners, screws and connectors will give your deck a more purpose-driven design. In addition to hardware, a new stain or coat of paint can make a big difference, and it can help you match your deck to the rest of your home, or to whatever your unique vision entails.
Make It Home
Your deck may look like a piece of art, but it’s better to be lived in than looked at. Add some of the comforts of home to your deck, so you can optimize your experience and spend more time outside. Try an outdoor propane heater so you can spend a chilly night under the stars. Add a grill – or even an outdoor kitchen – to make your deck the official gathering place of the home. And why stop there? Make your deck the place for Sunday football by adding a TV and bar. Your friends will thank you.
There’s a lot you can do with your deck. And at JW Lumber, our decking experts are a great resource for ideas. Stop by one of our lumber yards for inspiration on how to make your deck truly part of your home or contact us today for a quote.