8 New and Beautiful Deck Trends You Should Try

As the weather cools down, most people are packing up their outdoor living spaces and getting ready to hunker down inside. While your deck might not be the first thing on your mind, now is the perfect time to give it an update.

Renovating or building your deck during the fall is a great move. It’s off-peak time so you’ll be able to get the job done sooner rather than waiting for an opening in your contractor’s schedule. As an added bonus, your new deck will be ready to go as soon as the warm weather reappears.

If your deck is in need of an update, these deck trends will help you bring it into 2018.

Top Deck Trends in 2018

An on-trend, updated deck will add value to your home and give you a great space to enjoy. Here are the trends you should consider this year.

1. Floating Decks

When you think of a deck, you probably think of one that lies along the back side of your home. Designers are questioning that construct, though, by building more and more floating decks.

A floating deck is a living space that could be anywhere in your backyard. It’s opening doors for homeowners who would love a deck but whose backyard isn’t set up well for a traditional deck.

In most cases, these decks are low to the ground. That makes them easy and fast to build too because there’s no need for structural stilts.

2. Accent Posts

Your deck railing is an important safety feature, but you can use it to add style to the deck as well.

The trend today is using the railing posts as accent pieces. One popular technique is to play with the color. For instance, you might have a wood-toned deck and a black railing with white posts.

Other homeowners focus on ornate designs for their posts. Perhaps they’re shaped in a unique way or have a stylish decor piece on top of them. This is a great way to personalize your deck and bring in your own style.

3. Fully Furnished Living Spaces

Your deck doesn’t just have to be a walking path to your pool or a basic overlook. Today, homeowners are taking advantage of their decks by creating full outdoor living spaces.

Depending on your budget and your tastes, you could stick with a simple outdoor furniture set or go all-out with a full kitchen. You can take it a step further and create the ultimate setting for a football party with an outdoor TV.

4. Double-Decker Decks

Today’s homeowners are taking their decks to another level…literally. If you have a multi-story home, why not have a multi-story deck as well? This is a great way to capitalize on the space under your deck that you’d be wasting otherwise.

One great way to do this is to use the different floors as different living spaces. For instance, you might use the top of your deck like an outdoor kitchen with a bit of seating so you can entertain while you cook.

The bottom floor, on the other hand, is a great place for a more relaxed lounge. A fabric canopy and living room-like furniture create a relaxed, luxurious atmosphere.

5. Leaning Toward Composite

Every homeowner has the same internal debate before they build a deck: real wood or composite decking?

There are definite pros and cons to each. Wood has a lower initial cost. It provides a natural look and feel that some people love. The maintenance can be expensive and time-consuming, though, and it doesn’t tend to last as long.

More and more homeowners are moving toward composite decking. It’s about as low-maintenance as it gets, and it keeps its appearance rather than fading with the sun. Composite also lasts longer because it doesn’t expand and contract with temperature changes as much as real wood.

Of course, it’s all a matter of personal preference. It’s important to investigate your options before you make your choice.

6. Venturing Into the Gray

Wood tones have always been the go-to color choice for decks. As gray has become a larger and larger trend for home design, though, that trend has extended to decks as well.

Some homeowners today are giving their decks the same gray-like tone that’s popular in interior flooring. It offers a modern look and it styles well with a wide variety of colors, creating a great foundation for any taste.

7. Adding Some Curves

A traditional deck is a basic rectangle on the back of a house. As homeowners strive to personalize their homes and find unique ways to express their styles, though, more and more of them are straying from that convention.

Today’s decks are trending toward arched or curved shapes. You could create a half-circle that aligns with the back of your home. Another option is to combine this trend with the floating deck trend and build a circular deck elsewhere in your backyard.

8. Unique Lighting Arrangements

As homeowners start to use their deck space more and more, they’re finding out the beauty of a relaxing outside at night as well. This has led to some great creativity in deck lighting.

Today’s homeowners are using lighting as accent decor for their decks. It makes the space look warm and inviting while making it more usable as well.

One popular trend is to install accent lighting on your deck posts. If you have a pergola, draped strands of lights look great as well. It’s all about bringing in your personal style.

Creating Your Outdoor Home

For today’s homeowners, a deck is more than a deck. It’s a whole new room of the house and a place where they want to create beautiful memories that last a lifetime. Personalizing your space with these deck trends can make your backyard all the more enjoyable.

If you’re ready to get started, reach out to our experts in decking materials for help.