Making the Most of Your Small Deck: Decoration Ideas and More

Part of the American dream is owning a home with a well-manicured lawn, a picket fence, and a deck to host barbecues and parties on. Your lawn and fences may have regulations due to HOA, but you can go crazy with your deck and decorate with plants, furniture, beautiful railing, and more. 

Some decks are smaller than others, and you may think that you can’t do much with it, but size doesn’t matter when it comes to decks.

Every homeowner has different ideas of what constitutes the perfect deck. Some may argue that simple is better, with only some elegant waterproof furniture and a table for dinners outdoors. Others swear by decorating this space with outdoor games, large curtains, artwork, and fancy lighting. 

Whatever your style may be, here are the best ways to “deck out” the space with deck decorations.

Lounge Furniture To Matches Your Home’s Colors

The first thing to consider for an outdoor space on the smaller side is furniture. The furniture will take up the most room, as will a fire pit or central heating element. Your furniture should be completely waterproof and easy to clean if it gets dirty or soiled. Some of the more popular options for furniture include poly material, aluminum, wicker, or rope furniture.

Regardless of the material you choose, you should take outdoor decorating as seriously as indoor decorating. This is especially true if you’re limited in size, say around 100-150 square feet.

Here are some tips to help you find the best furniture:

• Choose outdoor furniture that creates a unified aesthetic with your indoor furniture. Think about matching colors and fabric textures.
• Measure out your furniture and compare it to your deck size before you purchase. You don’t want a deck that’s overstuffed with too-big furniture.
• View in person before buying, if possible. If you can, check out furniture in the store or showroom to really ensure it suits your tastes. This is also helpful if you’re having trouble visualizing the size of furniture.

Potted and Hanging Plants

Plants are a timeless and beautiful deck decoration option for all styles of outdoor spaces. 

Consider incorporating plants in pots on the deck surface, as well as hanging plants from railings or overhangs. You could also swap out plants as the seasons change with annual flowers, so that you’ll always have changing colors to show off. We also suggest creating a color scheme with your plants to complement the colors of your deck, house, or outdoor furniture.

If you don’t have a green thumb, also consider choosing plants that are low maintenance as deck decorations. That way, you’ll spend less time on gardening and plant maintenance and more time entertaining guests or relaxing in your outdoor space. Succulents are a great example, as they don’t require a lot of water or daily care.

Picturesque Lighting

Lighting your deck is the best way to keep your evenings on the deck going on into the night. If you have a shade or screened-in deck, integrated lighting might be the way to go. You can choose elegant pendant lighting or a stylish ceiling fan for some extra air circulation. You can also choose recessed lights to maximize space for hanging pots and plants.

If you prefer a more portable approach, consider electric candles, torches, or floor lights as deck decorations. Just remember that anything you put on the floor will take up space in this small area. You could also use hanging lights like spare Christmas string lights as deck decorations, even outside of the holidays. 

Whatever you choose, make sure the area is well-lit at night for safety and be careful of any lit flames.

Art, Shelves, and Wall Décor

One of the best ways to maximize space in your small deck is to fill up your outdoor wall space with deck decorations, shelves, and art. You can decorate your outside walls just like your indoor walls, so feel free to get creative. Fill up blank spots with art pieces you enjoy to help your deck feel a little more “you.” 

Shelves are a great way to maximize space on your small deck. Place smaller deck decorations on these shelves, such as smaller plants, knick-knacks, or fishing supplies.

Whatever you choose, just make sure the items you place are waterproof or covered by a waterproof sealant. Furthermore, ensure shelves are firmly affixed to the wall in case of high winds or storms.

Fire Elements and Heaters for Cold Nights

If it’s not safe to put a fire pit on your deck (either because of size or decking material), you can still use a fire bowl as a deck decoration. 

Here’s how to make one:

1. Get a large terracotta or concrete pot and place a can of clean-burning gel alcohol in the center.
2. Fill it with tumbled, recycled glass or rocks to hold the can in place (but don’t cover the can).
3. Light it up! This bowl is safe to use as a makeshift “fire pit” on a wooden deck and is perfect for those crisp winter nights. 
4. Do not let young children or animals near it—they could knock it over! Furthermore, make sure the fire is completely extinguished before heading in for the night.

If you can’t make a fire bowl, consider purchasing a gas patio heater as a deck decoration. These are electronically ignited, and high-quality ones can cover up to 115 square feet with warmth, making them perfect for a small outdoor area. They’re designed to stay in one place, but can easily be moved with a little effort and an included wheel kit. 

Need more deck decoration ideas?

There are plenty of ways to use deck decorations to put some pizazz into your outdoor space, such as potted and hanging plants, lighting, and wall décor. Although having a smaller deck means you’ll have to get creative with space, there are tons of deck decorations you can use while still having enough room to walk around and entertain.

Contact us if you’re in need of more ideas for how to spruce up your deck—our team of experts is happy to help you brainstorm.