Design Considerations for Building Your Dream Deck

With spring around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ready to take your outdoor living to a new level! A deck can be a wonderful addition to your home, providing you with an outdoor space for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying time with family and friends. However, designing a deck that fits your needs while it complements your home and fits your budget can be a challenging task. Let's explore some key considerations for designing a deck that will work well with your lifestyle, home and what you’ll need from this space.  
 

What Function(s) Do You Need from Your Deck? 

The first step in designing a deck is to consider what functions you need from it. Do you want to be able to grill, entertain, eat, lounge, and enjoy a view? Perhaps it’s important to you to have adjacency to children’s play space, or have a hot tub, fireplace, or an outdoor kitchen? There are many different uses for an outdoor space, so it’s important to think about what you’ll be using the area for.  

Other design considerations include accessibility, childproofing, elevation or steps, the climate you live in, an open, covered or screened in area and your pets. Envisioning yourself using your completed deck will help you determine what end result will be most satisfying for you and your lifestyle. 

Making Selections that Compliment Your Home  

Once you have a clear understanding of the functions you need your deck to serve, the next step is to consider the look and style of your deck. You’ll want to choose materials, elements and accessories that will flow nicely with the exterior of your home. There are many types of material options available, including wood and composite and vinyl. Choosing the right materials and elements that work for your needs and fit your budget is essential. Understanding the maintenance required for your selections is also an important factor in making your decision.  

Finally, the finishing touches include adding furniture and décor and possibly plants. While the cost of these items can be deferred until after the deck is built, you want to be thinking about these at the design stage so you are sure to know the deck layout works to accomplish your desired outcomes. 

Taking the time and making the effort to work through these steps for the design of your deck will be worth it. Especially when the time comes for you and your friends and& family to be are outdoors enjoying the space together just as you envisioned… a beautiful space working just the way you planned.  

Take a visual tour of our Trex deck here to get an idea of the possibilities for you deck project or meet with a project expert. At Keim, we have staff that can walk with you through the process and help your dream become your reality as we care for your project like we care for our own. 

From my home to yours, 

Karen Keim