Wooden Decks: Ideas, Designs and Plans to Build the Perfect Deck
Adding a wooden deck to your home increases living and entertaining space and when done properly, adds to the value of your property. Spend some time brainstorming ideas for your deck and discussing its main purpose before deciding on a design. That way, your family will get the deck you both want and need.
Getting Inspired
The web has a seemingly endless supply of images capturing dream decks from around the world. This photo gallery from the Better Homes and Gardens website has several standout designs, including this griller's dream and this perfect blending of deck and pool. Another image from the gallery shows how you can create a covered deck using Plexiglas.
This Old House's website also has its own gallery of dream decks, with many detail shots. This image shows how railings can go beyond boring to reflect a home's natural surroundings. The gallery offers practical advice, as well, such as how to frame a tree within a deck and how to frame a boulder.
Lastly, take a look at HGTV's collection of dream decks. The more ideas the better, when it comes to fuel for a brainstorming session.
Keeping in Mind
When you sit down to brainstorm with your family, discuss the primary purpose of the deck. Will it be an outdoor kitchen and eating space? Do you plan to blend the deck with a gardening hobby? Or will it be a pool deck with the primary focus on swimming and sunbathing? Decide what its main purpose will be, keeping in mind that secondary purposes can be included in a design, as well. For example, decks with multiple levels can include an individual purpose per level