Decking ideas

Decking makes a great alternative to paving stones or other types of hard landscaping, and can be used to make patios, paths and raised areas in the garden. Decking can be used to make anything from a patio or seating area or pond surround, it can be a cost effective way to level off uneven ground, and can be used as part of a feature in its own right. Decking can look attractive and stylish, too. Choose different types of decking to make a feature of the area, and use decking paint or potted plants to add colour. You can also work with other materials such as stone or paving to enhance the look.

Traditionally, decking is made of wood, but you can now buy composite decking made from wood fibre and recycled plastic, which lasts longer, comes in a variety of colours and is less likely to become slippery when wet. Composite decking can be made to look like wood so can blend in to your design as easily as the traditional option. Bear in mind, however, that composite decking isn’t biodegradable, so will eventually end up in landfill, and it could potentially leach microplastics into the soil.

Make a raised deck

If you have uneven ground or a sloping garden, a raised decked area can be an inexpensive option to create a level space where you can sit and dine outside. Decking can be laid at different heights and levels to suit the topography of your garden. You could even incorporate a cupboard beneath the decked area, for additional storage.

If you have a level garden, a ground level deck is easier to build than a raised deck. Or, why not make a feature of the area by building both raised and ground level decking to create different levels?

Add a balustrade or rail

Railings or balustrade are essential for raised decked areas, to make them safe to use. Choose between railing kits or make your own with balustrade screens and posts.

Make the most of your space

Be flexible – don’t be afraid to create an unusually shaped deck area to maximise the space you have. While rectangular and square decked areas are most commonly used, you could also create a circular or semi-circular deck, or a curved path. Decking with curved edges can give the overall look a softer finish and can help the deck or path blend in better to your planting areas. You can also combine curved edges with bark, gravel, grass or stone for a contrasting look.

Consider different laying patterns

You can lay decking boards in a number of ways: horizontal, diagonal and chevron (like parquet flooring). You could do all of the decked area in the same way or use different laying patterns in different areas, to make the overall look more interesting or create distinct zones. For a similar look made easier, opt for deck tiles, which you can lay alternately for a chequerboard look. A ‘picture frame’ decked area has boards all going in the same pattern, but with a with a border or ‘frame’ around the edge. This can be useful for standalone decking or decking that’s sightly raised but doesn’t need a balustrade or steps leading up to it.

Use contrasting materials

Don’t be afraid to combine decking with other materials like paving stones or gravel. This can create a stylish, modern look and can help your deck blend in better to the rest of the garden.

Make a colourful deck

If you opt for composite decking, this is available in a wide range of colours that don’t fade in the sun. Alternatively, you can buy timber boards painted or stained with decking paint. Here you can choose from traditional brown and black, or stylish grey, green, white or navy, or, for a modern look, why not choose two or more colours? You don’t have to go wild – you could simply use a different colour for the deck and the balustrade, for example, or use a complementary colour for the frame around it.

Integrate your deck into the garden

To incorporate your deck into the garden, use plants to soften the contrast between hard and soft landscaping. Plant borders around the deck so the softness of plants can contrast with the hardness of the deck, and use container displays to brighten up corners and complement border planting designs. You can train climbers around balustrades and even make planting pockets in the decking itself – there are many ways to use your decking to add to the overall look of your garden space.

Add deck lighting

Adding lighting to your decking can create a cosy feel. There’s a variety of options, including string lights draped around the edges or plants, lanterns, or built-in decking lights. When choosing lighting for the garden, opt for soft, ‘yellow’ lighting rather than bright white lighting, as this is far less disruptive to insects. Always turn off lights when not using them, ensuring the wildlife that uses your garden has plenty of darkness at night.