Decorating Your Deck

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Submitted by admin on Fri, 2013-05-03 12:12
Your deck should be a private space to retreat, relax and/or entertain. The decor and furniture you decide to use will create the ambience but must also be both durable and comfortable. As the aim is a relaxing, informal atmosphere, you could opt for a very colorful color scheme or go all natural with cream, white and earthen tints.

Shade and Privacy
In order to truly enjoy your deck, there should be ample shade on those hot summer days. The type of shade you use will play a surprisingly big role in the overall look, so choose wisely.

If you are lucky enough to have a huge tree in your deck area, this alone could already provide enough shade and atmosphere. You could twist fairy lights around its stems and hang lanterns and other decorative objects (such as glass bottles) from its branches for an interesting effect.

For those on a tight budget, a plain outdoor umbrella is a must and you could customize it by painting it yourself, or add crystal beads to create an arty look.

If you are a minimalist, use plain, white canvas for shade and opt for ...
... white curtains for extra shade or privacy. If you, however, are a bit more Bohemian, use canvases or streamers in bright colors and plenty of scatter cushions.

The green fingered among us would do well to establish vines to cover the trellises. Using screens is also a good idea for extra privacy and decorative effect. You could either hang tea candles or pot plants for it, or opt for beautiful wrought iron or ornate hand carved screens that are already very decorative pieces.

Plants
Potted plants serve very well as extra decoration on your deck. They create a green space and nothing is as relaxing as nature itself. Paint ordinary terracotta pots in different bright colors for added effect.

Water Feature
A water fountain will bring sounds of tranquility to your deck and is a smart way to block out other noise. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you don`t even need a big deck to accommodate one. From a water garden to water circulating in a pot, a water feature is always soothing to both the eye and the ear.

Lights
Lighting is ever important to create an ambience in the evening and at night. Solar lighting is very cost effective and convenient. As the lights simply come on when it is dark, your deck would always be beautifully lit. Solar garden lights are also built to withstand all weather conditions. Lanterns are also very decorative; you could choose a traditional garden lantern, or use Chinese paper lanterns to shed a colorful but soft glow. Rope lights could be wound around your deck`s railings, overhead trellises or rafters.

Furniture
The furniture you choose to use on your deck will be a focal point and should complement your deck. It is also important that it is durable and wooden furniture should be treated regularly to keep it in a good condition. Wicker, wooden and steel sets with loose cushions is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Furniture made from pallets is the latest craze, but for optimal comfort, beanbags are a good choice.