10 Outdoor Decks Accentuated With Built-In Features
Sunken seating, creative curves, clever railing ideas and more elevate these deck designs
A deck is a backyard staple, providing a versatile floor to an outdoor room and a blank slate for design inspiration. If you have an outdoor deck or are thinking about adding one, take a look at these 10 designs that build on that classic outdoor staple.
Each of these decks offer a bonus design element that boosts both looks and function, whether in the form of wraparound seating or a creative use of curves. Tell us, could you see any of these ideas working well for your home?
Each of these decks offer a bonus design element that boosts both looks and function, whether in the form of wraparound seating or a creative use of curves. Tell us, could you see any of these ideas working well for your home?
One advantage of adding a sunken feature to a deck rather than a patio is that most decks are already raised above ground level to keep the wood from being in contact with the soil, giving you more height to work with from the start. The height of this Healdsburg deck’s backrest, for example, is most likely close to the existing rise of the deck off the ground.
Tip: Getting drainage right is key for any sunken landscape feature. If you’re considering adding one to your outdoors, it’s best to work with an experienced professional.
Take a look at these sunken spaces
Tip: Getting drainage right is key for any sunken landscape feature. If you’re considering adding one to your outdoors, it’s best to work with an experienced professional.
Take a look at these sunken spaces
2. Built-In benches
Built-in seating is one of the best space-saving features you can add to a deck. In this Atlanta backyard by Boyce Design & Contracting, a custom L-shaped cedar bench appears to float above the rot-resistant composite deck. Freestanding cedar-panel screens relate to the natural wood bench and shade structure.
Built-in seating is one of the best space-saving features you can add to a deck. In this Atlanta backyard by Boyce Design & Contracting, a custom L-shaped cedar bench appears to float above the rot-resistant composite deck. Freestanding cedar-panel screens relate to the natural wood bench and shade structure.
3. Architectural shade structure
Adding cover to a deck is a great way to give it more style and comfort. For this Dallas outdoor area, a cantilevered wood-and-metal shade structure designed by Southwest Fence & Deck adds presence and protection to a poolside lounge.
Adding cover to a deck is a great way to give it more style and comfort. For this Dallas outdoor area, a cantilevered wood-and-metal shade structure designed by Southwest Fence & Deck adds presence and protection to a poolside lounge.
The shade structure, made of cedar boards set between metal posts, gives a cozy, partially enclosed feeling to the seating area while still allowing for breezes to pass through.
4. Fence enclosure
Another way to create a pleasant feeling of enclosure is to bring boards up along the sides of a seating area. For this backyard behind a former fire station in Hoboken, New Jersey, designer Lauren Wills of Wills Design Associates created a wood-panelled space that appears to embrace a cozy seating nook.
Another way to create a pleasant feeling of enclosure is to bring boards up along the sides of a seating area. For this backyard behind a former fire station in Hoboken, New Jersey, designer Lauren Wills of Wills Design Associates created a wood-panelled space that appears to embrace a cozy seating nook.
The wood slats against the building – the same wood and stain as the built-in seating – serve a dual purpose: They contribute to the wraparound style of the design and hide unsightly cinder block underneath.
The deer statue, by the way, was of sentimental value to the homeowner, who planted its patch of turf himself.
The deer statue, by the way, was of sentimental value to the homeowner, who planted its patch of turf himself.
5. Disappearing railings
If your deck borders a slope or ledge (even if only a minor one), you’re going to need railings to comply with building codes. The simple horizontal lines of this railing designed by Rice and DeTienne Designs in Portola Valley, California, complement the clean, minimalist deck design without blocking views of the hillside.
Here’s how to make your deck ready for guests
If your deck borders a slope or ledge (even if only a minor one), you’re going to need railings to comply with building codes. The simple horizontal lines of this railing designed by Rice and DeTienne Designs in Portola Valley, California, complement the clean, minimalist deck design without blocking views of the hillside.
Here’s how to make your deck ready for guests
6. Level changes
For this Los Angeles property, a level change helps define two different uses for the deck: An upper deck with a seating area sits above an outdoor dining patio with an outdoor kitchen. Although it might seem counterintuitive, adding thoughtful level changes to a deck, as was done here, can help smaller areas feel more expansive due to the multiple destinations.
For this Los Angeles property, a level change helps define two different uses for the deck: An upper deck with a seating area sits above an outdoor dining patio with an outdoor kitchen. Although it might seem counterintuitive, adding thoughtful level changes to a deck, as was done here, can help smaller areas feel more expansive due to the multiple destinations.
7. Wide steps as seating
Built-in seating is another way to take advantage of a natural slope and a level change. Take a look at this artful Japanese design. The architect added wide steps to scale the steep slope that also function as seating terraces. A set of standard steps alongside the house allows for easy access to the upper deck.
Built-in seating is another way to take advantage of a natural slope and a level change. Take a look at this artful Japanese design. The architect added wide steps to scale the steep slope that also function as seating terraces. A set of standard steps alongside the house allows for easy access to the upper deck.
8. Curved seating nooks
Decks are often rectilinear. (It’s the most efficient design for reducing waste, after all, given that boards come with straight edges and square corners.) But sometimes a site calls for a curve, like this lakeside location in Kentucky.
The deck, designed and built by American Deck & Sunroom Co., features multiple levels and graceful curved edges. The curves create optimal seating nooks (especially if they include round tables), bring the view even closer and relate to the natural curves of the shoreline.
Decks are often rectilinear. (It’s the most efficient design for reducing waste, after all, given that boards come with straight edges and square corners.) But sometimes a site calls for a curve, like this lakeside location in Kentucky.
The deck, designed and built by American Deck & Sunroom Co., features multiple levels and graceful curved edges. The curves create optimal seating nooks (especially if they include round tables), bring the view even closer and relate to the natural curves of the shoreline.
9. Planting pockets
If you have a small urban outdoor area – or in this case a rooftop – as your only outdoor space, you may be compelled to add nearly wall-to-wall decking to maximise the usable area. If this is the case, leaving a few cutouts in the deck for planting space – plus adding billowing grasses, flowering perennials and evergreens – can make a big difference in transforming the area from an urban space to a garden.
This London roof terrace, designed by Positive Garden, has the majority of floor space devoted to decking, but the designer included a planting pocket to hold enough soil to grow ornamental grasses and purpletop vervain.
If you have a small urban outdoor area – or in this case a rooftop – as your only outdoor space, you may be compelled to add nearly wall-to-wall decking to maximise the usable area. If this is the case, leaving a few cutouts in the deck for planting space – plus adding billowing grasses, flowering perennials and evergreens – can make a big difference in transforming the area from an urban space to a garden.
This London roof terrace, designed by Positive Garden, has the majority of floor space devoted to decking, but the designer included a planting pocket to hold enough soil to grow ornamental grasses and purpletop vervain.
10. Enclosed indoor-outdoor room
For this contemporary home in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, designed by Mihaly Slocombe, large sliding glass doors open from the kitchen and living room straight onto the deck. Covered by a translucent fibreglass ceiling, the deck stays dry no matter the weather, and the fibreglass allows plenty of light to flood into the house.
See how you can create an indoor-outdoor connection in your home
For this contemporary home in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, designed by Mihaly Slocombe, large sliding glass doors open from the kitchen and living room straight onto the deck. Covered by a translucent fibreglass ceiling, the deck stays dry no matter the weather, and the fibreglass allows plenty of light to flood into the house.
See how you can create an indoor-outdoor connection in your home
Read more:
Get Inspired: The Most Popular Deck Photos on Houzz
Tell us:
Would you consider adding any of these bonus features to your deck? Or does your deck have another creative add-on that boosts looks and function? Tell us in the Comments below.
Get Inspired: The Most Popular Deck Photos on Houzz
Tell us:
Would you consider adding any of these bonus features to your deck? Or does your deck have another creative add-on that boosts looks and function? Tell us in the Comments below.
A large deck with a sunken seating area sits along the central axis of this backyard by Jake Moss Designs in the wine country region of Healdsburg, California. The sunken seating provides both a stunning focal point and an inviting spot where guests can relax around the fire in the evenings.