Furniture first...
One of the most important steps in making your deck the perfect place for family gatherings and summer hangouts to make it homey, warm and inviting. Looks count! The first place to start is with furniture. Although many stores and websites offer an array of beautiful pieces, most of us are also looking to save. For great deals on wonderful pieces, there are numerous places you can check online or even your local bulk warehouse store or home improvement store. Jodi Marks, previous host of HGTV’s Fix it up!, suggests metal furniture with nice finishes or wicker furniture for those decks with coverage.
Let There Be Light...
Apart from furniture, another important aspect of any deck is lighting. The website Ideas-for-Deck-Designs, offers great suggestions, including post-cap and post-base lighting. Post-cap lighting refers to decorative lights situated on the corner posts of the deck that highlight its entire perimeter. Post-base lights are small, less evident lights at the base of each, or every alternating, post, which create a soft, romantic effect. According to Richard Bergman, the site's creator, “Lighting is becoming an exciting new area [for decorating] that is pretty affordable and a great way to spruce up an existing deck structure.” In addition to post-cap and post-base lighting, Richard suggests indirect or low voltage lighting in stair risers, which he considers to be a “safety factor for the evening, but also very beautiful.” Richard also recommends companies like Aurora Deck Lighting and DEKOR for well-priced, impressive lighting options.
Related: DIY: How to Fix, Repair and Seal Your Deck
Finishing Touches...
Finally, let’s not forget the extras, which are actually essentials for making your deck the warm and inviting space you want it to be. Things like cushions, flowers, umbrella(s) and accessories, such as pottery, vases, and decorative pieces. Instead of purchasing an umbrella, according to Gail Mayhugh, Certified Interior Designer for GMJ Interiors, "add operable shades. You can use a retractable awning, woven shade, or make a rolled or roman shade from fabric.” Mayhugh also suggests using battery operated candles “since you don’t have to worry about them melting in the heat.” Marks adds, “Container gardens are another great way to spruce up your outdoor living space. Container water gardens are also a great idea that adds another element [water], as long as you keep the water moving.” Marks explains that, “Pink is considered the color of the year for 2011 and this and other bright colors, like red and orange, are a great way to accent your outdoor living spaces.” She also suggests that adding rugs gives the exterior space a more comfortable, interior feel, as long as they are suitable for outdoor weather conditions. Marks recommends rugs made from polypropylene, which is designed to be both weather resistant and moisture resistant, and are available at reasonable rates in most home improvement stores such as Home Depot.
Jason Atkins, CEO of Tui Lifestyle, a luxury home furnishing and décor company, suggests, "Summer outdoor decor is about bringing the simplicity and comfort from inside your home to your outdoor space. White fabric, woven vine outdoor furniture combined with acrylic seaside photo art, hurricane lamps, white candles, sea grass rug, and woven baskets full of white orchids will create the perfect outdoor oasis for summer entertaining. White simplicity is perfect for summer food, fun, romance and relaxation."
