| Long ago we stopped designing boring rectangular | | | | You may have to work around some of the things |
| wood decks built to fit an old picnic table and a pair | | | | already attached to your home or in your yard. An air |
| of dirty boots. Today's decks are complete outdoor | | | | conditioning unit can be moved, but perhaps you can |
| rooms, with imagination as the only limitation to what | | | | work around it or build toward another area of your |
| can be created. A quiet retreat or a comfortable | | | | yard instead. The same goes for walkways, pools, |
| place to entertain and relax outdoors is becoming a | | | | patios, ponds, driveways, gardens, door exits, and |
| dream to pursue for many. | | | | windows, as well as existing trees, shrubs, grading |
| By asking yourself some simple questions, and | | | | and nice views. |
| working with your existing property's unique | | | | The next area to consider in your design planning is |
| personality, plus borrowing the odd good idea from | | | | the use of the new deck. A cozy spa area may be |
| other decks, you can create the deck of your | | | | just what you had in mind for that private party, or |
| dreams. | | | | for relaxing before bed. If you do a lot of |
| Of primary concern to the design of your deck is the | | | | entertaining a large sitting area will be a must. How |
| layout of the home and property. Deciding where to | | | | many people live in the home, and how many people |
| put your dream deck on the property is a good place | | | | will you want to entertain on the deck? What |
| to start. Is it going to be an access into and out of | | | | furniture and fixtures will be on the deck and where? |
| the home, or will it be built further away in the yard? | | | | A table or two perhaps, and how many chairs? Will |
| The closer to the home, the more it will be used. | | | | there be any loungers, a BBQ, swings, hammock, |
| Measuring the deck's distance off the ground is | | | | benches, planters, a spa, bars, kitchens, fireplaces, |
| another early consideration. High decks require railings | | | | fire pit, gazebo, trellis, pergola, serving trays, or |
| to meet safety standards. (At some point you will | | | | ponds? All these items take up space and need to be |
| want to consult your friendly building inspector.) | | | | placed in the design for proper sizing. The most |
| Exposure to sun or shade is a major consideration in | | | | common error in deck building and designing is making |
| the design and placement of your deck. If you are a | | | | the deck too small. |
| sun worshipper and build a deck in the shade, you | | | | Remember it is much cheaper to do it right the first |
| probably will not be happy. Similarly, someone who | | | | time than to build two or three decks over your |
| prefers a little shade will want to include plans for | | | | lifetime in your home. Have fun designing your dream |
| shade if they can only build their deck with a full | | | | deck and good luck. |
| southern exposure. | | | | |