A key concept in understanding how to approach design is deciding how best to relate to context. Once built a deck must be able to relate to its inhabitants, its house, its site orientation, its natural surroundings, its neighborhood, its climate etc. all at the same time. This can be a very complex and intimidating prospect for a novice designer. The chief concern is to not allow your initial ideas be unconditionally accepted without proper consideration as to how these decisions will affect the surrounding environment.

What looks good on paper may produce many unplanned consequences once built. You do not want your decisions to come at the cost of the greater good for your house and yard. You may be required to negotiate a series of compromises to best accomplish a set of goals; consider this an iterative process of exploration. A good design will accentuate the established advantages of the site whereas a poor design will bring attention to its inherent flaws. Take the circumstances and your needs in to full account; chances are you will be able to find an acceptable solution.