I like to think of the structural form of a deck in terms of a skeleton; it provides the strength and mass of the design. The aesthetic refers to the skin; the visual impression we get from the surface. Design elements are the tools we use to make these aesthetic expressions. Making a decision about the color and style of your guard rail or the texture of the decking you choose will be based on your personal perception of what is attractive.

How you choose to communicate the surface features of your deck will say a lot about your personal tastes as a designer. To select the specific materials for your deck will require some research down the line but you should begin to establish an idea of your stylistic intentions. Each type of material consists of a distinct set of innate properties. How does it feel? What sounds does it produce when walked on? Employing the rich warm texture of wood or the cool clean mechanical values of metal will stimulate the senses in different ways. Certain colors can evoke a specific emotion which can affect your comfort level. Color is a very complex part of design.

Try visiting www.colormatters.com for an in depth discussion of some of the intricacies of its use and association.