The homeowners wanted an integrated, open outdoor space for entertainment and grilling. It had to look great from the inside of their home and offer the feel of a private wooded retreat; yet be functional.

CHEZ CATHERINE

Jours & Nuits

Pergola addtion adds function and style to this Irmo, SC, deck!

Archadeck of Central South Carolina

The new pergola addition adds beauty and much needed shade to this Irmo, SC, backyard! Photos courtesy Archadeck of Central South Carolina.

after redoing the deck and refinishing the redwood bridge.

Brando-Taylor Deck

James McCoy Carpentry LLC

Ipe/Garapa Deck

Bee Cave TX Outdoor Living Combo Space

Archadeck of Austin

This handsome porch cover demonstrates the importance we place on making your outdoor living addition look original to your home. The roof of the porch ties into the home’s roof and gutter system perfectly. The trim on the new soffits and beams is the same distinctive color as the trim on the home.

Various decks

M&M Builders

Trex deck Willow Glen Calif.

Back deck off of the kitchen

Achla Designs

This deck creates an easy flow from the kitchen, outdoors to the deck then the patio, then the garden. Without a railing, it feels like a "raft" floating above the patio and lush greenery of this terraced yard. Made from locally sourced black locust wood and cedar, with steps of granite curb stones salvaged from a New Hampshire highway. The shelves were designed to create open screening from a neighbors yard and driveway and house a changing collection of small plants, artifacts, and stones.

Parker Remodel

Ward+Blake Architects

Paul Warchol

Centreville De Deck

Sweetwater Design

The deck offers a blend of mid-century, new, antique and re-purposed furnishings. A variety of finishes and textures create an eclectic and timeless look. Enjoy morning coffee on the deep seating pieces, sun worship on the sleek concrete chaise, napping on the hammock, cocktails at the butcher block bar and fine dining under the sail all while embracing nature.

Bloor West Village Backyard Makeover

Green Apple Landscaping

Scarsdale Deck

LDAW Landscape Architecture, PC

New composite deck with cable rails and a complete landscape

Hoboken Fire House Residence

Wills Design Associates

Westerville, OH, TimberTech Deck Addition

Archadeck - Columbus

This custom deck called for low-maintenance decking from TimberTech’s Legacy collection, in rich Mocha. Homeowners are seeing the many benefits of using low-maintenance materials these days. This TimberTech deck will resist sun fading and other sorts of damage from high traffic and impact. Unlike its wood counterparts, the deck will not require annual maintenance in sanding, staining, sealing, or painting, and it will remain beautiful for many years to come. For a more polished aesthetic, we utilized a perpendicular parting board, where regular seams would have existed. These are the sorts of custom touches you can expect when working with Archadeck of Columbus!

The new back deck features a large outdoor kitchen. Photo: Vance Fox

Southlake, TX, Pool Deck With Outdoor Kitchen

Archadeck of Northeast Dallas

Stunning custom poolside deck and outdoor kitchen by Archadeck of NE Dallas-Southlake. The deck is built using Fortress low-maintenance decking with a picture frame border. Photos courtesy Archadeck of NE Dallas-Southlake

This Churubusco, IN, outdoor living combination is a dream come true!

Archadeck Fort Wayne

As you can see from these positively stunning and cutting edge pictures taken by a drone, this outdoor living space includes a two level deck with contours and an integrated fire pit, a screened porch, an outdoor kitchen and paver patio. In addition, a set of stairs were added to the opposite side of the deck from the screened porch to access the backyard as well as the area where the homeowners are adding an in ground pool. This new outdoor living multi-complex will also enhance poolside enjoyment.

Eclectic Backyard Deck Design Ideas

Decks are synonymous with Australian and New Zealand outdoor living. It’s out on your deck that you can read the Sunday paper, have a barbecue with neighbours or host a party – and come summer, Aussies and Kiwis swarm to them like mozzies to a bug zapper! Decking is also a popular flooring choice for patios, pergolas and pool surrounds, as well as balconies and verandahs. As an extension of your living space, eclectic outdoor decking needs to be ripe for relaxation, handle harsh weather and high foot traffic, and suit the style of your home, too. We are, however, spoilt for choice when it comes to decking options, especially regarding the choice of hardwood, which can make deciding on the right timber decking for your needs tough. Before you start building a deck, browse Houzz photos for design inspiration and check out the Stories section for more ideas. Once you're ready, you may want to hire a Landscape Architect or Gardener to help you complete your project.

How do I determine my deck design?

Decks can be customised to suit your home and landscape, so be open to a variety of designs. On this page, you’ll find the likes of balcony, verandah and patio decking, as well as breezeway decks, low-slung decks (barely raised off the ground) and master bedroom decks, just to name a few. If you have a contemporary home, you might prefer a mixed-materials deck with concrete stairs, for example, or rather a more simple party deck, complete with built-in seating and a barbecue. Decks can also wrap around garden features, like a feature tree, or curve through your garden. If you want to tame a slope in your backyard, a raised deck or platform deck can help with backyard access. It can be covered or left uncovered, but if choosing the latter option, try to add structure to the space with planting. Multi-level decks are also great for sloping lots, and can help zone areas within your backyard. If you want to highlight or make more use of your backyard, consider a freestanding deck, which, complete with an outdoor dining set, seating, a gazebo or umbrella, can be used for entertaining or simply unwinding under the sun. Boardwalk decking is a great way to guide people through your yard, add structure and can help add a sense of design.

What hardwood decking should I use?

Price, appearance and overall maintenance will dictate your choice of hardwood decking. Spotted gum, teak, blackbutt, grey ironbark, jarrah and merbau are all popular hardwood varieties in Australia and New Zealand, while composite decking – a combination of wood and plastic – is becoming increasingly popular, too. Hardwood looks more natural, but does need to be stained and weatherproofed frequently. Spotted gum is one of the most attractive decking materials – it has a lovely grain and requires minimal staining. Teak is the best performing hardwood, but comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re after a red-coloured hardwood, consider merbau, which can handle the harsh Australian climate. Merbau decking will, however, leach tannins, so it’s best avoided near other light-coloured hardscapes. Composite decking is a more low-maintenance option than hardwood decking, as it doesn’t require resealing. It’s also more environmentally friendly: it won’t fade, rot or warp with time, meaning you can maintain the same eclectic deck for longer. If you live in a fire-prone area, it’s also less of a hazard.