Summer beckons us to get outdoors and enjoy the warm temperatures and the breathtaking scenery of the Alberta landscape. There is no better way to create your own outdoor oasis than your own deck which is equipped with all of the features that make it a versatile space for quiet relaxation or for a great space to host events with family or friends.
Beyond simply considering the dimensions and finishes, there are a number of areas where you can customize your deck both for functionality and comfort and ensure that your deck parties will be the envy of your social circle.
Here are the top ten customizations you can make to your deck for a lasting impression:
10. Railings
The hand rails for your deck should serve as more than a required safety feature. This feature of your deck is a reflection of your personal style and needs. Customize your trim for privacy or to take full advantage of the views from your deck with a wide choice of materials, designs and finishes. Railing choices include wood, steel, aluminum, tempered glass, or any combination of these elements to frame the deck and create immediate character.
9. Create a little shade
While we don’t want to squander a moment of the warmth and heat from the summer sun, we also want to ensure our comfort while spending as much time as possible outdoors. To create a little cover, the choices are plentiful – from a full fabric awning to adjustable large format umbrellas which can be mounted and maneuvered for optimal coverage throughout the day. The right covering can help create the impression of a vacation getaway right in your own yard.
8. Incorporating natural foliage
Part of the attraction of being outdoors is to get closer to nature. You can complement the design of your deck by incorporating some of the area’s natural foliage along the edge of the deck, or in planters directly on the deck surface for a splash of color. This addition marries the functional elegance of your deck against the backdrop of your outdoor geography. Introducing resilient, low maintenance plants may ensure that there is little additional time required for watering and weeding to keep things looking sharp.
7. Storage seating
If you’re entertaining, you need both seating and storage to accommodate both daily and special event needs. The addition of storage seating along the perimeter of the deck provides tasteful and discreet storage close at hand, while not cluttering your space. Adding this fixed seating option along the borders of your space also helps to keep the floor space of the deck clear for activities and larger groups.
6. How about a gazebo
Many home owners are incorporating a gazebo into the design of their deck, creating an intimate and slightly more sheltered space. Some, equipped with a central fire pit and plush seating which is somewhat protected from the weather, can extend the use of your outdoor space, even in the event of a light rain. From simple, traditional designs to more customized finishes to optimize your comfort, the attached gazebo is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners.
5. Plush seating
While we have seen a number of advances in portable outdoor furniture since the days of the flimsy folding lawn chairs of the 1960’s, the opportunity to create the comfort of indoor entertaining to the outdoors offers a welcoming environment for you and your guests. Soft upholstered cushions, in seasonal colors can add comfort as well as reflect your own personal taste and style.
4. Lower yourself into the hot tub
Is there anything more relaxing at the end of the day than a soak in a hot tub under the stars? Home spas have always been a popular feature for outdoor spaces, but incorporating this feature into the footprint of your deck, allowing floor-level access to sink into the tub creates an accessible feature that all will enjoy. You’ll enjoy inviting your guests with the simple message: "The water feels great ... hop in."
3. Get wired for sound
Does anything set the mood quite as well as music? Incorporating weather proof outdoor speakers around your deck can help to create the atmosphere that you are looking for. Now, with many wireless options on the market and a wide selection of designs, it is easy to customize your system to best accommodate your space and create a soundtrack to your summer adventures.
2. Lighting creates the environment
Lighting your space is an important consideration, especially when you want to use your deck to host events in the evening and after dark. But lighting is more than just for safety, lighting can help to showcase the amenities of your deck, as well as to create an environment of relaxation or liveliness. The emergence of LED lighting has created a slate of new options far more versatile than the age old string of patio lanterns or re-purposing the Christmas lights. Now, you have options for perimeter lighting, direction fixtures, surface lighting embedded right into the deck floor, or even RGB lights which allow you to change the colors to best suit the tone of different get togethers.
1. Outdoor kitchen
How better to complete an outdoor party space than to add a fully functional outdoor kitchen space. Starting with the barbecue, homeowners are now creating a hospitality service area to keep the party outdoors. The addition of a sink, counter and under-counter refrigerator ensures that no time is lost indoors when enjoying the company of those closest to you. Offering any combination of finishes, color schemes and layouts to best suit the layout of your space, the outdoor kitchen is becoming one of the most popular customizations for many deck installations.
Are you ready to get started? At Alberta Vinyl Decking & Railing, we have helped to design and build a number of customized outdoor spaces and can draw from our experience to help you create the deck environment that will maximize your outdoor enjoyment every summer. Let’s talk today and start to bring your vision to reality.