Hang String Lights
Decorate your deck withstring lightsto foster a cozy ambiance.
Choose string lights rated for outdoor use to avoid fire hazards or weather ruining the lights.
If your deck isn’t covered, considerinstalling poles to suspend the lightsabove your outdoor space.
Credit: Anthony Masterson
For general ambiance, 50-100 lumens per bulb is a good range.
For functional lighting, look for higher-lumen LED options.
Incorporate accessories to give your deck a polished look.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Decorate outdoor coffee tables or side tables with vases of flowers, potted plants, or a few candles.
Alternatively, you might use battery-powered faux candles that mimic candlelight.
Choose a sturdy outdoor table with an umbrella if the spot receives a lot of sun.
Credit: Tria Giovan
Enhance comfort with a few plush outdoor pillows and seat cushions.
Incorporate Cushy Seating
Generously implement seat cushions and throw pillows to create a comfortable and relaxingdeck space.
Colorful pillows can easily be changed when you want to refresh your deck decor.
Credit: Robert Brinson
Choose outdoor fabrics in cheery coordinating colors and spray them with a washable protectant to repel moisture and stains.
Place the fire pit on a non-combustible pad to protect your deck if it’s made of flammable material.
Frame Your Deck
Deck decorating ideas can easily incorporate a stylishpanel or trellisfor privacy and visual appeal.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Here, a geometric trellis structure defines the seating area on this modern deck without hindering its open feel.
Cover the trellis withenchanting wisteriaor grapevine for additional privacy and beautification.
A colorful, patterned design can help give your deck a homey, interior-like feel.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Display Colorful Potted Plants
Potted plants can serve as living deck decor throughout your outdoor space.
Large containers brimming with lush foliage and eye-catching blooms look especially gorgeous stationed near seating areas or alongdeck railings.
Fill each container with potting mix, tuck in seasonal bedding plants, and water.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Create a Hanging Garden
Free up floor space and attract eyes upward with a captivatinghanging garden.
Baskets featuring trailing plants deliver major impact as deck decor.
Establish different zones for dining, conversation, and other outdoor activities.
Credit: Laurie Black
Furnished with comfortable and stylish accessories, this deck sets up several areas for solo relaxation or group gatherings.
Install Some Decorative Shade
Shade your deckwith an umbrella that provides portable shelter and personalized charm.
Add Privacy to Your Deck
Creatingdeck privacyis key, especially if other homes are within close quarters.
Credit: Kevin Miyazaki
If you have a rooftop or balcony deck, calculate its load-bearing capacity.
Heavy containers filled with wet soil can quickly add up.
Use containers made of wood, resin, or fiberglass to decrease weight.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Potting mixes composed of peat moss rather than soil-base can also minimize weight.
Install apergolafor filtered sunlight or a gazebo for full coverage to add shelter and privacy.
Choose furniture with this in mind.
Credit: Laura Moss
Plant a Deck Garden
Looking to elevate your small outdoor living space?
The best deck decorating ideas make a big impact with small, robust gardens.
Potted plants are an easy and often inexpensive way toliven up your deck.
Credit: Matthew Benson
Plant a variety of greenery and flowers in numerous pots to mimic a lush landscape.
To make your garden portable, use lightweight fiberglass containers.
Nestled among large potted plants and decorative objects, a statue imparts an air of classicism on thisground-level deck.
Credit: James Yochum
Hanging pieces on the fence add more sculptural elements, lending a cohesive artistic aesthetic.
Showcase Distinctive Deck Furniture
Accentuate a deck with eye-catching furniture that pulls double duty.
Plus, they’re the perfect size to use as small end tables or pull-up seating.
Credit: Adam Albright
In place of permanent fixtures, colorful lanterns made of weather-resistant nylon are a stylish and affordableoutdoor lighting idea.
Credit: Helen Norman
Credit: James Solomon
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
