1Consider a Sleek Fireplace
Stephen Kent Johnson For a fireplace option that doesn't take up floor space, build one into the edge of your deck. This modern example at a Los Angeles home by designer Pamela Shamshiri flows into the short white wall at the deck's perimeter, giving the area a focal point. Adding a built-in fireplace leaves room for more furniture, like seating and a coffee table.
2Bring the Indoors Outside
Chad Mellon Make your deck feel like a second living room with ample cushioned seating outfitted with throw pillows and blankets. You can also add a patterned rug, textured ottomans, and a grand fire pit as designer Jen Samson did here for the deck of a lakefront cabin.
3Incorporate Staircase Lighting
LA Light Photo Building lighting into your deck will make it easier for you to enjoy the space at night. For this home's pool deck, designer Rob Diaz installed lights into the steps for safety and added ambiance.
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4Add a Simple Railing
Paul Costello To avoid obstructing the view from your deck, build a simple railing around it. This way, you'll benefit from the protection of a railing, but it'll disappear into the backdrop like the one at this North Carolina beach house designed by Barrie Benson.
5Prep It for Dinner
Sara Tramp Ligorria Optimize your deck for dining and conversation with outdoor lighting and a fully-stocked bar cart. This deck designed by Emily Henderson is styled with stackable metal chairs and a spacious wood table for a classic, low-maintenance look.
6Include a Banquette
Laure Joliet Take it up a notch by adding a banquette around the dining table, as designer Catherine Kwong did at this California home. Bench cushions with Perennials fabric and Jenni Kayne pillows ensure maximum comfort around a teak table by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Harbour Outdoor. Bonus: Massive trees shade the area naturally.
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7Protect It With a Cover
Amir Khandwala The partial shade from the pergola ensures that this deck is the best of both worlds for outdoor dining and gardening. This deck, attached to a home designed by Aamir Khandwala, is covered with a complementary white pergola for a modern approach that pops against the green landscape but blends in with the exterior of the house. It's the perfect place for some flower arranging or to use as a dining space.
8Add an Area Rug and Canopy
Vanessa Alexander Design Since most decks feature wooden materials, they can feel a little cold and bare. Warm yours up with an outdoor area rug and a daybed. Here, Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design chose a large daybed with an ethereal canopy and tropical palm trees to set the mood.
9Hang Plants
Malcolm Simmons If you don't have a ton of space, fill it with the coziest items you can find and add extra vertical space to hang plants from instead of taking up valuable ground space. This area by Malcolm Simmons features hanging plants, cozy throws, and layered outdoor rugs, making it the ideal spot to sit with a cup of coffee and a new book.
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10Extend Decking to the Pool Area
Robert McKinley Studio Frame your pool with the same material as your deck for easier maintenance and a lovely visual flow as Robert McKinley Studio did here. Beautify the area with greenery, whether it's a grassy lawn or a line of trees.
11Make It a Mudroom
Romanek Design Studio Optimize an enclosed deck at a beach house by installing wall hooks for towels and other things that might make a mess indoors. Then, add a couple of chairs for an outdoor reading nook or hang-out spot, as Romanek Design Studio did here.
12Complement the House's Architecture
KARYN MILLET "I was worried the pool might be too close to the house, but I love it," says Eric Olsen, the architect of this California home. "When we open the doors, it feels like one big room." Take a closer look at the left corner and you'll see the outdoor shower peeking out too.
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14Invest in a Swimming Pool
David A. Land Just because you don't have a backyard doesn't mean you can't have a pool. Use your roof deck area for poolside lounging and sunning. Also, remember that throw pillows are the perfect way to introduce hints of bold color.
15Consider an Outdoor Fire Pit
Nicole Franzen Install a fire pit on your deck for a cozier vibe out in the open air. To channel this modern coastal aesthetic, opt for neutral hues, modern lines, and graphic throw pillows.
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16Build a Sunken Jacuzzi
Tamsin Johnson Interiors So you can't fit a pool in your backyard, but who needs that when you can have a jacuzzi instead? This small deck by Tamsin Johnson Interiors features a sleek in-ground hot tub that blends right in, as a raised one might make the area feel too cramped. The sunken style also creates the illusion of more open space than a raised hot tub would on a small deck.
17Add a Shower or Tub
Niya Bascom If you thought outdoor showers were a dreamy addition to decks and yards, you'll love the idea of an outdoor bathtub even more. The wood wall enclosure creates privacy while still allowing the occupants to enjoy the breeze at this island oasis by Ishka Designs.
18Paint the Floor
Nesting With Grace If you have a beach house, consider painting your deck with blue and white stripes for a classic nautical vibe. Add bistro chairs and a croquet set to complete the playful look.
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19Give It Vacation Vibes
Courtesy of Durham House No matter where you live, your deck can help you feel like you're in the tropics. Paint your deck rails white, opt for rattan furniture, and add a seagrass rug and a potted palm. You'll practically feel the island breeze.
20Create a Sense of Place
Courtesy of Milk Decoration If you're in a warm, dry region, line your deck with varying shapes and sizes of cacti and succulents for a Southwestern desert feel.
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