Caitlin Atkinson
With summer approaching, its time to consider your outdoor spaces, including your deck.
Discover the best deck trends for 2025 that will help you host summer gatherings in your own backyard.
While youre at it, consider laying your boards in a pattern for a cool effect.
Credit:Caitlin Atkinson
These artistic patterns elevate a simple deck into a statement piece that blends functionality with personality.
Multi-Level Decks
Have an existing deck, but want to level up?
Consider building a second story.
These layers provide a sense of flow and dimension, giving outdoor spaces a dynamic, purpose-driven layout.
As you design your deck, designate a function for each level.
Cimaglia suggests making the upper area a dining space and the lower level a cozy lounge, for example.
Additions like connecting staircases withintegrated lightingor plant borders can enhance flow and unify the space.
Using consistent materials and complementary finishes across levels can help maintain visual harmony, Cimaglia adds.
it’s possible for you to also opt for different materials to establish different zones.
These new multi-level and tiered decks arent just functional, theyre beautiful too.
Sustainable Features
In 2025, deck designs are increasingly incorporating sustainable features.
Eco-conscious homeowners are gravitating toward decking options that include high percentages of recycled materials, Cimaglia says.
TimberTech offers boards made with up to 85% recycled content, including reclaimed wood fibers and recycled plastic.
These materials deliver long-lasting performance while minimizing environmental impact, she adds.
This year, plush sectionals, weather-resistant lounge chairs, and modular furniture sets are on the rise.
As you shop, look for sectionals and chairs that are easy to move and rearrange.
Another trend for deck furniture this year is built-in seating.
Smart Technology
Smart tech makes outdoor entertaining easy.
Homeowners can install smart LED fixtures that can be controlled via smartphone apps or voice assistants.
This allows for customizable brightness, color, and scheduling, says Kevin Lenhart, design director atYardzen.
Lenhart also suggests smart heating features that allow homeowners to use their outdoor spaces even in the chillier months.
Whatever you choose, smart home technology makes it easy.
Warm, Earthy Colors
Several color families are gaining in popularity in 2025.
If you choose tostain your deckor elements around your deck, you might consider these hues.
Natural, earthy tones that create that cozy and welcoming atmosphere are gaining popularity, McCollum adds.
An example is Olympics Oxford Brown in either semi-transparent or solid opacity.
Over at Cabot, the2025 stain color of the yearwas recently announced as Burnt Hickory.
Mashkov says 2025 is all aboutearthy, natural tones.
Think warm browns, deep charcoals, and soft beiges instead of washed-out grays, he says.
Textured finishes that mimic real wood grains are also in demand, giving decks an organic yet polished appearance.
Just choose a shade that complements the lighter wood tone.
Outside of wood, natural elements in general remain a top deck feature in 2025.
Every deck benefits from a touch of green.
The effect is a calming one.
Lumpkin describes these elements asbiophilic design, which brings nature closer into the living area.
I like when kitchens incorporate bar seating, Lenhart adds.
Cooking should be a social activity, not an isolating one.
