50 Deck Design Ideas to Express Your Style Outdoors

Get inspired by these ideas for decks and turn your outdoor living space into a flexible outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing.

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Deck Design Ideas to Bring Your Style Outdoors

You may think of your deck as just an innocuous wooden platform jutting out to your backyard, but with a little planning and a good design, that space can become a fabulous al fresco family room, area for entertaining or a place to kick off your shoes and just chill.

Consider some ideas for a deck that expresses your style outdoors and how you can make the most of your surroundings — whether that includes a spectacular view or lush trees and greenery — to create your just-right outdoor retreat.

This deck — designed to create a carefree and comfortable vibe — is the perfect entertaining space with ample room for guests to relax.

See the deck ideas on the following slides.

From: Lotus + Lilac Design Studio

Add Walls to Create a Room

Building a wall on one side of this outdoor dining area gives the deck the feeling of a finished room complete with goose neck lamps that complement the red dining chairs. The opposite side of the deck includes a row of planters to create a subtle wall of plants dividing the space from the rest of the yard.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Slat Walls: Private Yet Still Open

This cabana with a slat wall for privacy makes a perfectly functional and relaxing outdoor retreat.

Curtains for Privacy

This small deck with a modern Americana theme adds to the home's entertaining space. The curtains can be pulled for privacy from neighboring homes or left open to enjoy outdoor views.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create Inviting Seating

On this deck, succulents tumble over the edge of a large planter, imaginatively positioned between two benches on the deck. Behind the deck, bamboo is a pretty privacy screen.

From: Rain Lily Design

Use Lighting to Create Ambience

This home creates a magical outdoor setting with multiple levels. On the upper level, a raised deck is lightly shaded by a pergola. Pretty pendants hang down from the beams providing attractive lighting when the sun goes down.

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Create a Space for Evening Gatherings

The soft glow from globe lights can add charm and illumination for evening gatherings on a backyard deck.

Small Deck Retreat

A small deck, porch, patio or corner of a garden provides a terrific foundation for a home-sweet-home getaway. Include touches that speak to your style (retro? chic? urban?). You don't have to spend big bucks to make it work. This welcoming retreat features a crate coffee table that blends beautifully with wooden chairs. Pots of colorful annuals bring nature near.

Extend Your Garden To Your Deck

Because this rooftop deck is small and fairly simple, its designers wanted the planting to be dynamic and whimsical. The Ipe container gardens have unusual combinations of plants in a palette of orange, lime, red and blue.

From: Outside Space NYC

Add Color With Plants

This home's backyard deck gets a huge pop of autumnal color from a long planter filled with brilliantly hued chrysanthemum plants.

Add a Vertical Garden

On this home's deck, a vertical garden decorates one wall with an inviting mix of succulents. Their different shapes, colors and textures keep the eye moving from top to bottom and corner to corner.

From: FirstTeam Real Estate

Frame With Greenery

Landscaping hugs the curves of this deck and creates a living frame with greenery. Using layers of plants in the landscaping gives the space the lush, textured feel of an outdoor oasis.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Move Houseplants to the Deck

Tropical foliage houseplants benefit from spending summers outdoors. Plenty of air movement, rain showers and sunlight can spur strong growth in houseplants that are cooped up indoors all winter.

Design With Lush Plantings

This deck, complemented with lush Mediterranean-insired plantings, sits flush with an infinity pool, creating a seamless visual line down the backyard.

From: Jamie Durie

Create a Backyard Oasis

A backyard oasis is created with the help of a raised wood deck, lush vegetation surrounding the seating area and a large umbrella that provides ample shade to the space. A large modern fire pit sits between understated lounge furniture and potted plants.

From: Molly Wood

Pergolas Make a Deck Perfect

Add a pergola to create an outdoor room with shade. In this example, a mix of potted plants in dark gray planters add greenery to the deck and create a botanical wall.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Set the Table for Outdoor Dining

This pergola-covered deck features an amazing outdoor dining area adjacent to a grilling area, making it a great spot for entertaining during warm months.

A Deck for Real Relaxation

A pergola with a large swinging daybed is the perfect spot to relax in this urban outdoor living space. An outdoor kitchen area leads around to a dining table that seats eight — perfect for entertaining.

Create Shady Gathering Spots

Multiple structures provide shady gathering spots on even the hottest days in this romantic backyard. When planning an outdoor space, think about your lifestyle and how you'll use it — whether as a recreational area for a young, active family or as a private, serene spot for relaxing and reading.

Contemporary Terrace

With a small wood pergola, lovely potted plants and a dedicated dining area, this rooftop terrace is perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing with family and friends. The space's cool, contemporary design makes it all the more appealing.

From: Eisner Design

Extend Deck Time With a Fire Pit

This deck has a fire pit and the pleasant backdrop sound of a fountain, making outdoor entertaining possible many days (and nights) a year.

From: Mom's Design Build

Decked Out With a Fire Pit

A fire pit means the outdoor space is enjoyable even when the sea breezes blow.

From: Blackband Design

Why Not A Hot Tub?

This expansive deck with a private hot tub is the focal point of the outdoor space, with cushioned outdoor furniture and surrounding lush landscaping.

From: Solid Ground

Set the Tone With Colors

The colorful, orange seating on this rooftop outdoor lounge space, which includes a small dining area, matches the vibrant surroundings.

From: Harmony Weihs

The Importance of Color

Selecting the perfect color for your deck will impact the overall look of your space. This dark deck is the perfect background for the cityscape because it doesn't draw attention away from the urban views.

Add Interest With Accents

Colorful accents on this deck, which stretches the whole back length of the house, are a cheerful complement to this home's tan siding.

From: Kristina Crestin

Brighten a Deck With Splashes of Color

A gray outdoor sectional wraps around this modern rooftop with a lovely panoramic view. Neon green pillows and orange stools add a bright splash of color to the monochromatic space.

From: Sean Kelley

When in Doubt, Go Neutral

This cozy outdoor retreat offers a comfortable haven, rain or shine. Base neutrals riddled with flashes of color blend with the wood tones to create a space that's easy on the eyes.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Casual and Clean

This modern deck has casual dining and lounge seating, a natural container garden and a clean aesthetic.

From: The Turett Collaborative

Dreamy Urban Deck

Drought-resistant perennials and shrubs complete the relaxed vibe of this deck with its stunning urban view.

Sleek Lounge

Neutrals work together here to create a sleek and cozy outdoor space. The warm redwood deck and pergola are accented with creamy neutrals in the furniture and stone elements like the fire pit and walls.

From: Claudia Schmutzler

Work With Your Surroundings

Some of the most imaginative deck designs are the result of working with the terrain. This platform is perched in a spot perfect for relaxing and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Use Natural Elements

This deck is built around an existing tree with a swinging hammock chair, using natural elements to create a perfect spot to relax.

From: Bosler Earth Design

Blend With the Environment

Steep terrain needn't be a deterrent to outdoor living. This amazing multi-level deck provides plenty of space for relaxing and entertaining, yet stays in tune with the rugged, woodsy environs.

Create a Destination

Decks don't have to be attached to the house; they can lead to new vistas, private retreats and little nooks in the garden.

Wide Open

By day, this deck is ideal for entertaining, providing a space for guests to relax. By night, the fire pit area offers a warm and cozy respite even on the chilliest evenings.

Take It to Another Level

If you want to highlight a view, having more than one level allows multiple vantage points. You may choose to tier your deck space because you're seeking some public and private outdoor areas, or because you want to devote an area to a specific activity, such as grilling.

Elevated Deck & Cabana

Decor in blue and gray unify this home's outdoor spaces that include an elevated deck, outdoor kitchen and pool area with a pool house.

From: Tim Barber Ltd.

Separate Outdoor Spaces

Raising the deck area and adding beach pebbles create a separate lounge area in this modern backyard. The deck is made of Mangaris wood and accented with a small concrete fire pit.

From: Angel Carrasco

Deck and Sunken Lounge

A deck wraps around the house, with a fireplace and steps down to a sunken lounge. The outdoor spaces feel like an easy continuation of the beach and blissful ocean views.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Make Room to Entertain

Multiple outdoor seating areas around this back deck make the backyard a dreamy space for entertaining a small, cozy crew or a large crowd.

Consider the Space's Flexibility

Built-in seating can vastly expand the versatility of your deck. If you expect to do a lot of entertaining, you'll need less furniture. The downside, however, is that once the built-ins are built in, they're there to stay and they'll dictate what you can do and how you move around your deck.

Enormous Fun

A custom deck doubles a family's available living space. Under the cedar pergola, custom daybeds invite serious lounging (and napping).

Seating for Sun and Shade

Two traditional outdoor chairs with elegant wrought iron frames provide seating on this beautiful back deck. Lively potted flowers add a delightful touch.

From: Noble Johnson Architects, LLC

Covered Space Offers Retreat From the Sun

Rich woods create a welcoming, contemporary deck surrounding a sleek swimming pool, while a covered pavilion provides a space to gather out of the sun and enjoy the views.

From: Jawitz Properties Ltd.

Create Comfort with Accents

A comfortable seating area complements this 19th century home's private porch, and an outdoor rug anchors the primary seating area.

From: Ron Nathan

Curves Add Interest

Thinking about expanding your outdoor living space to replace some of your lawn? Modern building materials make it possible to design a deck that fits into the tightest spaces.

Even Full Circles

A wooden circular deck features a fire pit, long and narrow bench seat with coordinating pillows and several pots filled with flowering plants.

Lose the Straight Lines

Giving the outdoor area the feel of a spectacular tree house, a wide deck winds around the home's exterior with railings and quiet gazebos for shelter.

From: Colorado Landmark, Realtors

Don't Forget the Railing

There's no need to sacrifice railing style and design for efficiency and safety. If you're afraid of blocking a fabulous view, many contemporary railings are available with glass or see-through slats. When selecting deck railing, consider how easy it will be to maintain and how well it will hold up to weather conditions. And don't forget that the railing is as much an aesthetic component as is the deck's building material — think about style and congruity.

50 Deck Design Ideas to Express Your Style Outdoors

Related To:

Shop This Look

Deck Design Ideas to Bring Your Style Outdoors

Add Walls to Create a Room

Slat Walls: Private Yet Still Open

Curtains for Privacy

Create Inviting Seating

Use Lighting to Create Ambience

Create a Space for Evening Gatherings

Small Deck Retreat

Extend Your Garden To Your Deck

Add Color With Plants

Add a Vertical Garden

Frame With Greenery

Move Houseplants to the Deck

Design With Lush Plantings

Create a Backyard Oasis

Pergolas Make a Deck Perfect

Set the Table for Outdoor Dining

A Deck for Real Relaxation

Create Shady Gathering Spots

Contemporary Terrace

Extend Deck Time With a Fire Pit

Decked Out With a Fire Pit

Why Not A Hot Tub?

Set the Tone With Colors

The Importance of Color

Add Interest With Accents

Brighten a Deck With Splashes of Color

When in Doubt, Go Neutral

Casual and Clean

Dreamy Urban Deck

Sleek Lounge

Work With Your Surroundings

Use Natural Elements

Blend With the Environment

Create a Destination

Wide Open

Take It to Another Level

Elevated Deck & Cabana

Separate Outdoor Spaces

Deck and Sunken Lounge

Make Room to Entertain

Consider the Space's Flexibility

Enormous Fun

Seating for Sun and Shade

Covered Space Offers Retreat From the Sun

Create Comfort with Accents

Curves Add Interest

Even Full Circles

Lose the Straight Lines

Don't Forget the Railing

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