Designing your outdoor living space with a few extra bells and whistles not only increases the value of your home, but also offers your family maximum outdoor enjoyment. Outdoor renovations are a big investment, and when it’s time to finally consider a deck makeover, homeowners want to get the best bang for their buck. Luckily, there are several design choices and accessories to incorporate into your deck makeover that fit with your family’s budget and lifestyle in mind.
ACCENTS & COMPLEMENTARY COLORS
A popular decking trend in recent years is incorporating different colors or shades in your deck boards. With so many hues to choose from with composite decking, homeowners can create one-of-a-kind, stylish outdoor spaces with the two-toned look. Opt for a lighter or darker shade of your main decking for a mid-deck seam board, or feature board around the deck’s perimeter. You can also design your deck railing with a drink rail in an accenting color. A drink rail utilizes decking boards to create a perfectly flat space on top of your railing. It’s a great additional space for drinks, planters, or your hands and elbows to rest as you admire the landscape.
SCREENED PORCHES & PERGOLAS
A screened porch offers numerous benefits depending on how your family plans to enjoy the addition. As a bonus room and extension of your home, screened porches provide a comfortable place to enjoy the outdoors, protected from the elements. There’s nothing worse than a BBQ ruined by passing showers or thunderstorms. With a screened porch, you can keep the party going outdoors, sheltered from rain and debris. For the summertime in particular, screened porches provide additional shade and can limit exposure to pesky bugs and insects. And when the crisp autumn air arrives, your family and guests can stay warm and cozy semi-protected from the chill.
Pergolas, on the other hand, do not provide as much shelter, but they do provide valuable shade with tighter budgets in mind. Designed and oriented correctly on your deck, a pergola can provide plenty of shade and a designated area for dinner parties, book reading, or a “work from home” office location. You may also install additional covers, for even more sun protection or in preparation for unpredictable summer storms, such as fabric or a retractable cover.
LIGHTING
Outdoor lighting is an essential accessory if you plan on using your deck at night. Once the weather warms up, afternoon gatherings can easily transition to an enjoyable evening retreat with the installation of deck lighting onto the railing posts or deck steps. These LED or solar powered lights are functional, affordable, and also a great safety feature! If you want to really spruce up your space, globe string lights hung from the deck’s railing or a pergola will add an after-dark ambiance that will make any neighbor jealous.
*A version of this blog was posted in the Spring “Home & Garden” Edition of the Severna Park Times