You love your deck. It’s a great place to watch the birds and enjoy a lazy weekend morning. It has seen its fair share of dinner parties and great conversations. If you have had your deck for more than 10 years, it’s time for a fresh look. Here are some deck remodel ideas or upgrades to give it the TLC it so deserves.
Upgrade 1: Consider the Gray Palate
Many modern decks are moving away from the neutral wood tones to a new kind of neutral: gray! Color parties in the gray tones often compliment new-build homes and interior design. Brown and white decks are all too common in Northern Virginia. Remodel yours to be the eye-striking renovation of the neighborhood.
Upgrade 2: Try Outdoor Lighting for Safety and Spotlight Features
Decks built in the late 90s and early 2000s may be missing a crucial feature. Installing outdoor lighting helps you extend the use of this outdoor space well into the night. It also provides safety by illuminating steps, slopes and cracks to prevent trips and falls. Many modern home designs for outdoor spaces now have spotlight, or feature, lighting to help guide the eye to focal points. Under-lighting is also a great option for raised surfaces such as an outdoor kitchen bar top or a raised fire pit.
Upgrade 3: Add a Pergola or Gazebo
You love your deck and the sounds of nature. You don’t love the bugs getting into your drinks and interrupting a good book. This is where building a gazebo on your deck can provide you the privacy and pest-free solution you so desire. Consider building your gazebo with screens and a door to keep critters out when not in use. Here are some other design considerations for your outdoor sunroom or gazebo.
You can also build a pergola for your deck to add architectural interest to your outdoor space. A pergola is not an enclosed space, but it can provide elegant shade and is usually placed above any outdoor dining or living spaces. Consider using a pergola as a hanging garden feature. Another inventive way to use a pergola is to hang a swing or hammock on it.
Upgrade 4: Update Your Balusters and Railings
Upgrading to a composite rail system is well worth the investment. Railings are the most time-consuming portion of traditional deck maintenance to stain and keep looking fresh and new. Many customers are choosing the black round easy viewing tubular aluminum pickets with composite post sleeves and rail runners. Post lighting is also one the most popular railing options sold.
Upgrade 5: Replace Deck Floors with Composite Decking Materials
If you are one of the few homeowners with a natural wood deck, stop wasting your time with sanding and staining your deck. Instead, invest in composite decking materials. These are green materials made with recycled products and have a hard shell with color protection. This means you stop wasting money on excessive annual deck repairs. Start enjoying your deck instead of seeing it as a time and money pit. Consult with Distinctive Deck Designs today to get a free quote on this type of deck remodel!
Upgrade 6: Create a Garden
Go green (literally) by adding a garden to your deck or backyard space. It doesn’t have to be a massive space for a garden bed. There are many ways to upcycle products for unique gardens. Consider creating a palate garden or reusing 2-liter bottles as a hanging garden!
Upgrade 7: Refresh Your Color Theme
If updating your deck balusters or flooring is not in the budget, but you still want a visible deck upgrade, just change your color palate! Most furniture cushions and umbrella shades are inexpensive and provide a bright new pop of color to add life back to your outdoor living spaces. Look for fabrics that have high SPF protection to prevent color fading before the season is over.
If you are in the market for a Northern Virginia deck contractor, try Distinctive Deck Designs! We offer free on-site quotes. This allows us to meet you in person, see your space first-hand, and show you how we are listening to your needs. If you are unsure whether a deck upgrade or full remodel is in your budget, give us a call! We can work with all budgets and needs for deck and patio upgrades. We look forward to hearing from you!