Guest Blogger: Top Design Ideas for a Small Backyard Deck

 Guest Blogger #723, Entry #1680, October 4, 2012

When people think about designing their home, oftentimes, it is the interior that tends to get the most focus and attention. What’s interesting about, though, is that it’s the yard that tends to make the first impression on guests. So, if you have a small backyard deck, why not do some creative things to “spruce it up” just a bit?

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We’ve got five great ideas below:

Make it festive.

If you tend to do a lot of entertaining at your house, why not make your deck have a bit of a festive flare with a table and a few chairs and a huge umbrella to go over the table? You can string some lights from the deck and even position a few outdoor potted plants. (Yucca, Perennials and Cactuses are all great year-round options.)

Make it relaxing.

When you think of blues and greens, you tend to think of being calm and relaxed, right? If you sand and refinish your deck, that can provide the foundation for a nice “hardwood floor” appearance. Then, purchase some wicker outdoor furniture (perhaps a love seat), along with a table. Then, get some huge green and blue throw pillows for the seat and some that can be placed on the ground as well and top it off with some plants and a bowl of tropical fruit for the table.

Make it a shower deck.

If you have a fenced-in yard where you get plenty of privacy, other option can be to totally renovate your deck into your own paradise by converting it into a shower deck. This requires a bit more work (and quite possible a housing contractor), but there are some tips online on websites like eHow.com, Sunset.com, BobVilla.com and YouTube. Make sure to put “How to build an outdoor shower” in the search fields.

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Make it a kid’s play place.

During the summer months, if there’s one thing that parents probably hear themselves tell their children more than just about anything else, it would have to be “Go play outside.” Well, since they’re going to be out there, you might as well make it a play paradise for the, right? You can start by installing a vinyl fence and deck. Then, once you have sanded the deck, perhaps hire someone to paint a mural on the back of your house to make it feel like a place that is really dedicated to the children. You can purchase some “little people furniture” at places like Toys-R-Us, Amazon and even Target, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. If you put a few ottomons out there, they can also be places for your kids (and their friends) to sit and also places to store their toys once they’re ready to come back inside.

Make it a romantic spot.

Is there anything more romantic than looking up at the stars, sipping champagne (or sparkling cider) while being snuggled up with your significant other? By purchasing a futon (so that you can sit up and lay back) and having a fire pit installed, you will be able to set just the right ambiance. The cost of outdoor fireplaces tend to vary, but for about $1,500-3,000, you can get one that is custom-created that will make your deck look stunning as it sets the mood for years to come.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.