8 Strategies for Decorating the Deck
So you’ve built a new deck. Now what? Just like the interior of the home, designing the décor and choosing the furniture and accessories for the blank canvas of your brand new deck can feel a bit overwhelming. What best practices should you follow for decorating the deck?
We checked in with home renovation and design expert James Judge, known to his TV and social media followers as “The House Judge,” to see how he approaches styling and decorating the outdoor living spaces for his clients’ homes as well as his own.
“I always think of a deck or an outdoor space as an extension of your home,” Judge says. “It’s an opportunity to add ‘livable square footage.’ So, how do you live inside and how do you take that outside?”
Judge took that approach for his own recently remodeled summer home in Wisconsin. For this lake house, he completely overhauled the outdoor space to include a wraparound deck with several distinct public and private gathering areas and a matching second-floor screened-in balcony. (Read the full project case study here.)
One of the spaces evokes a living room-like vibe, with furniture built for exterior conditions but coordinating in style with the interior furniture. The sofa and three outdoor chairs have wooden legs that complement the decking (Envision’s Ridge Premium composite decking in Vintage Oak) and cream cushions and a rope-like fabric cater to the nautical vibe of the home itself. Accent pillows in blue feel cohesive with the main color scheme of the siding, with a few yellow pillows providing a pop of unique color.
A private area off the bedroom has cozier lounge-like furniture suitable for relaxing or taking a nap.
“When you compartmentalize the process, it makes it easier to create a vision,” Judge explains.
Here are a few other tips Judge keeps in mind when decorating decks and outdoor living spaces:
- Square footage matters: How you furnish and decorate the deck starts in the planning stage. You need to design the deck and outdoor living space to accommodate your lifestyle, even if it means investing a little more to get the space required. One rule of thumb Judge recommends is to measure your interior furniture and see if it will fit in the deck space you are designing—outdoor furniture has similar sizes, proportions, and spacing for function and comfort.
- Keep budget in mind: Judge looks to the home’s interior and overall design for inspiration, but always with an eye on the project’s budget. “I try to be deal-savvy. I figure out what I want and then stalk it until it’s on sale; stores need to move outdoor furniture before they start stocking the back-to-school department,” he says, noting that items often will go on sale on a store’s website before they are marked down at the physical location.
- Don’t neglect comfort: Patio furniture has evolved greatly in the last decade. For a long time, plastic was always the go-to for standing up to the elements. There are now many more options for pieces that look more like indoor furnishings and are comfortable to sit on. Comfort also means including cushions, he says; they just need to be washable. “Don’t be afraid to use fabric outside—don’t go for convenience over comfort.”
- Buy furniture to accommodate your lifestyle: If you’re planning to use the deck for entertaining, ensure you have adequate seating for large groups, just as you would with interior spaces. Having a variety of seating types ensures guests can gather in small groups and choose a seat that is most comfortable to them. You’ll also want appropriate seating for the dining area and seats near the fire feature, movable to suit the user’s desired temperature level.
- Create visual dividers: When designing the deck, different board colors or directional placement can help visually separate different outdoor “rooms,” such as a picture frame around a seating area or a linear band separating a long expanse. You can also achieve this with fixtures, furniture, and décor, just as you might with an open floor plan on the interior. Separations may be permanent, such as a linear fire pit, a pergola, or a peninsula on the outdoor kitchen, or could be temporary for use as needed, such as moveable lattice privacy screen or a large outdoor rug that visually establishes a space.
- Include softer elements: Judge likes to add outdoor curtains, such as onto a pergola. They provide an airy, relaxing vibe and, depending on color and fabric, may be used to block the sun. Outdoor rugs, along with blankets and throw pillows, also can have this effect. “All of these elements help to soften what is otherwise a hard space,” Judge says. “And all of these elements make the space feel more welcoming.”
- Add art: Outdoor-suitable artwork, such as ironwork and metal pieces that can hang on the façade or latticework, add visual interest and make the outdoor living space feel complete and inviting. Wall-mountable flower pots and vases are another way to add color and a touch of nature. Like on the interior, these elements also provide an opportunity to express your personality.
- Think beyond the deck: Judge doesn’t limit décor and furniture to the main deck, so consider what other parts of the outdoor living space can become mini destinations. A gazebo in the trees or a small garden seating area, perhaps. At Judge’s Wisconsin house, the dock includes its own sectional couch, providing the perfect spot for guests to keep an eye on their kids or watch the sunset without sacrificing comfort or style.
Ready to plan your outdoor living space? Visit our Idea Gallery and The House Judge Instagram page for more décor strategies and inspiration.
