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Deck Design Articles

The first step to building a deck is designing a deck. Maybe you already have the deck of your dreams in mind. Or perhaps you’re looking for a little inspiration to see what’s possible and to get ideas before you enlist the aid of a contractor or prepare to build a deck yourself. In either case, there are endless possibilities for building an outdoor oasis that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

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Decks can range from a simple raised patio to more complex multi-level deck design ideas. With a wide range of materials to choose from, including wood or composite decking like Trex, there are a wealth of options to choose from.

If you’re having a tough time narrowing down your ideas to build a deck that fits your home and lifestyle, Decks.com has you covered. Browse through our collection of articles complete with deck design pictures and information. You’ll find a wide range of outdoor deck design ideas, including inspiration for backyard deck designs, as well as rooftop deck ideas. You’ll also get deck design tips, including deck design lighting tips for illuminating your outdoor space and creating a striking ambiance long after the sun has gone down.

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How to Design a Deck
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Drilling a screw by a hand drill

How to Design a Deck

Deck Remodel Ideas & Inspiration

There are lots of reasons to remodel your deck and lots of ways to do it. If your worn-out wood decking needs replacing anyway, give low-maintenance composite deck boards a try.

Drilling a screw by a hand drill

How to Design a Deck

Deck Remodel Ideas & Inspiration

There are lots of reasons to remodel your deck and lots of ways to do it. If your worn-out wood decking needs replacing anyway, give low-maintenance composite deck boards a try.

10 tips cover

How to Design a Deck

10 Tips For Designing A Great Deck

This is an introduction to design. Start here to get some fresh ideas before designing your dream deck this year.

20081921184655

How to Design a Deck

11 Deck & Patio Landscaping Ideas

Looking for landscaping inspiration and ideas? Check out our ideas for turning your patio or deck into a beautiful oasis for entertaining and relaxing.

Grey Composite Decking - Sophisticated

How to Design a Deck

Grey Composite Decking Ideas & Images

Get inspired by our collection of grey composite decking ideas and images. Find the best grey deck designs to fit your home and personal style with Decks.com.

Composite Decking - Clean Lines

How to Design a Deck

Brown Composite Decking Ideas & Images

Get inspired by our collection of brown composite decking ideas and images. Find the best brown deck designs to fit your home and personal style with Decks.com.

White Pergola

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Pergola

Pergolas add a level of elegance and shade to your landscape. Follow our step-by-step instructions for building a pergola on a deck or patio at Decks.com.

Picture6 Deck in Winter frozen-snowy-deck

How to Design a Deck

5 Ways to Use Your Deck In The Winter

Hoping to get use out of your deck all year long? Discover these helpful deck ideas to keep your deck warm and cozy in cold winter weather at Decks.com.

Selecting the Best Composite Decking Color 1

How to Design a Deck

Selecting The Best Composite Decking Color For Your Home

There are many composite decking color options. How do you select the right one for you?

Family enjoying back deck

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Raised Deck

Building a raised deck can be a great option for some homeowners. Learn how to build a deck that is elevated above ground level with this guide from Decks.com.

Composite deck with tree

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Floating Deck

Did you know that floating decks are much easier to build than standard decks? View step-by-step instructions for building a floating deck at Decks.com.

Use a good plan drawing.

How to Design a Deck

What Size Deck Should I Have?

We offer some tips for determining the best size for your new deck design.

Deck Design Styles

How to Design a Deck

Deck Design Styles

Learn how to design a deck to match your sense of style and to compliment your house.

porch roof option

How to Design a Deck

Porch Roof Options

Learn more about designing a deck with a porch roof.

deck features

How to Design a Deck

Deck Features

Have you considered adding lighting, benches, planters or a shade pergola to your deck design?

Metal Railing

How to Design a Deck

Space Planning

Learn how to design a deck to provide enough space for your furniture and different uses.

money

How to Design a Deck

Budget - Determines Deck Size and Materials

Some tips for designing a deck to fit your budget.

Deckorators Black ALX Classic

How to Design a Deck

Deck Railing Designs

Learn about the newest and most stylish deck railings on the market. Browse pictures of wood, metal, glass, composite and cable rail systems.

Herringbone Decking

How to Design a Deck

Herringbone Decking Pattern

Learn how to install a herringbone zigzag decking design by installing blocking to the deck frame.

Hanging Deck Lights

How to Design a Deck

Hanging String Lights on a Deck

Hanging string lights on a deck is a great way to enjoy summer nights. Learn how easy it is to hang any type of string lights on a deck with Decks.com.

Hero

How to Design a Deck

Small Backyard Deck Ideas & Designs

With the right setup and décor, you can transform a small deck into a perfect outdoor oasis. Get inspired with these design ideas for small decks at Decks.com.

stuff

How to Design a Deck

10 Ideas for Reusing Leftover Decking Boards

Have leftover deck boards after building your deck and don’t know what to do with them? Get inspired with 10 ideas for leftover decking from Decks.com.

1

How to Design a Deck

Maximize Your Space with These 8 Under Deck Ideas

If you have an elevated deck, maximize the empty space below it with our top under-deck design ideas, from storage to landscaping.

FILTER BY CONTENT
All deck design content
How to Design a Deck
Drilling a screw by a hand drill

How to Design a Deck

Deck Remodel Ideas & Inspiration

There are lots of reasons to remodel your deck and lots of ways to do it. If your worn-out wood decking needs replacing anyway, give low-maintenance composite deck boards a try.

Drilling a screw by a hand drill

How to Design a Deck

Deck Remodel Ideas & Inspiration

There are lots of reasons to remodel your deck and lots of ways to do it. If your worn-out wood decking needs replacing anyway, give low-maintenance composite deck boards a try.

10 tips cover

How to Design a Deck

10 Tips For Designing A Great Deck

This is an introduction to design. Start here to get some fresh ideas before designing your dream deck this year.

20081921184655

How to Design a Deck

11 Deck & Patio Landscaping Ideas

Looking for landscaping inspiration and ideas? Check out our ideas for turning your patio or deck into a beautiful oasis for entertaining and relaxing.

Grey Composite Decking - Sophisticated

How to Design a Deck

Grey Composite Decking Ideas & Images

Get inspired by our collection of grey composite decking ideas and images. Find the best grey deck designs to fit your home and personal style with Decks.com.

Composite Decking - Clean Lines

How to Design a Deck

Brown Composite Decking Ideas & Images

Get inspired by our collection of brown composite decking ideas and images. Find the best brown deck designs to fit your home and personal style with Decks.com.

Advertisement
Advertisement
White Pergola

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Pergola

Pergolas add a level of elegance and shade to your landscape. Follow our step-by-step instructions for building a pergola on a deck or patio at Decks.com.

Picture6 Deck in Winter frozen-snowy-deck

How to Design a Deck

5 Ways to Use Your Deck In The Winter

Hoping to get use out of your deck all year long? Discover these helpful deck ideas to keep your deck warm and cozy in cold winter weather at Decks.com.

Selecting the Best Composite Decking Color 1

How to Design a Deck

Selecting The Best Composite Decking Color For Your Home

There are many composite decking color options. How do you select the right one for you?

Family enjoying back deck

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Raised Deck

Building a raised deck can be a great option for some homeowners. Learn how to build a deck that is elevated above ground level with this guide from Decks.com.

Composite deck with tree

How to Design a Deck

How to Build a Floating Deck

Did you know that floating decks are much easier to build than standard decks? View step-by-step instructions for building a floating deck at Decks.com.

Use a good plan drawing.

How to Design a Deck

What Size Deck Should I Have?

We offer some tips for determining the best size for your new deck design.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Deck Design Styles

How to Design a Deck

Deck Design Styles

Learn how to design a deck to match your sense of style and to compliment your house.

porch roof option

How to Design a Deck

Porch Roof Options

Learn more about designing a deck with a porch roof.

deck features

How to Design a Deck

Deck Features

Have you considered adding lighting, benches, planters or a shade pergola to your deck design?

Metal Railing

How to Design a Deck

Space Planning

Learn how to design a deck to provide enough space for your furniture and different uses.

money

How to Design a Deck

Budget - Determines Deck Size and Materials

Some tips for designing a deck to fit your budget.

Deckorators Black ALX Classic

How to Design a Deck

Deck Railing Designs

Learn about the newest and most stylish deck railings on the market. Browse pictures of wood, metal, glass, composite and cable rail systems.

Herringbone Decking

How to Design a Deck

Herringbone Decking Pattern

Learn how to install a herringbone zigzag decking design by installing blocking to the deck frame.

Hanging Deck Lights

How to Design a Deck

Hanging String Lights on a Deck

Hanging string lights on a deck is a great way to enjoy summer nights. Learn how easy it is to hang any type of string lights on a deck with Decks.com.

Hero

How to Design a Deck

Small Backyard Deck Ideas & Designs

With the right setup and décor, you can transform a small deck into a perfect outdoor oasis. Get inspired with these design ideas for small decks at Decks.com.

stuff

How to Design a Deck

10 Ideas for Reusing Leftover Decking Boards

Have leftover deck boards after building your deck and don’t know what to do with them? Get inspired with 10 ideas for leftover decking from Decks.com.

1

How to Design a Deck

Maximize Your Space with These 8 Under Deck Ideas

If you have an elevated deck, maximize the empty space below it with our top under-deck design ideas, from storage to landscaping.

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Explore Articles by Topic

Footings

Footings

Information related to installing frost footings for decks

Framing

Framing

Learn structural framing methods

Decking

Decking

Learn about wood and composite decking materials

Stairs

Stairs

An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs

Railings

Railings

How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code

Features

Features

An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights

Design

Design

The basics of deck design

Planning

Planning

Learn about permits and working with contractors

Porches and Patios

Porches & Patios

Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons

Ledger

Ledger

Proper attachment techniques

Care

Care

Maintain your deck to maintain your investment

Materials

Materials

An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights

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