How To Accessorize Your Deck

Picture this: You've spent the last few weekends in back of your house building the deck of your dreams. You dug the footings, measuring carefully to make sure that the depth and breadth was up to code. You oversized the posts and spaced the joists to carry more weight than necessary just in case the great parties you're planning will include line dancing. Decking boards are screwed, not nailed, in place ever so regularly. Beautifully proportioned steps lead to the back yard. Your craftsmanship is second to none-- a real work of art, if you do say so yourself! So why does it seem that something's missing when you stand there in the middle of all that lumber? Because you're not finished. It's time to accessorize!

Whether you've just built a new deck or you're working with an existing one, making your outdoor living space more beautiful and comfortable just takes a little thought--and a few finishing touches. Just like the inside of your home, you need to furnish and accessorize your deck to really make it come to life. Then it will truly become an extension of your indoor living areas for you and your family and friends to enjoy.

These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To Information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow applicable codes and regulations, and is urged to consult with a professional if in doubt about any procedures.

Clean It Up, Spruce It Up, Trim It Up

If yours is an older deck, before you begin adding accessories, take time to do a little outside-the-house cleaning by renewing and brightening the wood surfaces. Even treated lumber--including new treated lumber--needs periodic care to maintain its beauty, so every so often it's a good idea to thoroughly clean and seal your deck to prolong its life and enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

How often you need to apply a sealer to your deck will depend on the general condition of the wood as well as the amount of exposure it gets and the resulting effects of the elements. There are many products on the market for cleaning the wood; many which require no scrubbing. Penetrating sealers are also available for protecting the wood. For application information, follow the manufacturer's instructions provided with the product you choose.

With all the wonderful wooden elements now available, there's no excuse for having a uninteresting deck! Look for turned posts and rail components to add architectural distinctiveness. Top posts with decorative treated wood caps can be plain or clad in brass or copper. Or, top off post caps with treated wooden shapes such as elegant acorn toppers and ball finials.

Conceal the space between your deck's perimeter and the ground below (and gain useful semi-concealed storage space underneath) by installing pre-constructed decorative lattice panels. Or for a custom look, construct your own screens using lattice strips framed in a pattern of your own design. Paint or stain the screens to match your deck for a unified appearance.

Sizing Up The Space

If you built your deck from scratch, you probably took time to size up your needs to determine what kinds of activities--dining, relaxing, grilling, etc.--you'd be doing there. And from that assessment, you probably planned the dimensions of your deck to accommodate those activities. But whether your space is customized or inherited, it's a good idea to plan the furnishings and accessories just as you would for an interior room, taking time to consider not only furniture arrangements but the traffic paths and circulation spaces around them as well.

Choose furniture that is appropriately scaled for your deck as well as pieces that will seat the required number of people. Outdoor furnishings are made from a variety of materials, including everything from plastic resin to wrought iron to redwood. Though your budget may ultimately determine which material yours are made from, within each type there are styles to blend with most any architecture. No matter what type you choose, look for styles and colors that blend with those of your house to achieve a unified look with your home's exterior decor.

Inside the home, small accessories can be charming, especially when displayed in groups or collections. Outside four walls, however, the scale of your accessories may need to be "pumped up" to increase their impact and functionality. Candles and candle holders should be large and heavy enough to remain stable even under wind-blown conditions. Wall plaques made from pottery or stone-like material add visual weight and architectural character to your exterior. Substantial planters designed to hold groups of plants provide great fill-in elements. Those large enough to hold tall plants will add height to the predominantly horizontal space.

Getting The Most From Your Surroundings

When you're outside on your deck, you're likely there with the wind in your face, the sun on your arms and the sounds of nature all around. You can take advantage of all the good things by choosing accessories for your deck that enhance what nature has already provided. And you can also add to your comfort level by adding things that improve on what she's provided too much of (sun and heat, to name two).

If your deck is under roof, you have the luxury of sitting outside even when it rains. The downside of being outside, though, is that sometimes the sun can be overpowering, delivering glare and heat right where you sit. Installing roll-up shades in strategic places to cut early morning or late afternoon rays is a good way to gain back a little control over your surroundings. And installing ceiling fans designed for exterior use can provide cooling breezes no matter how high the thermometer goes.

If you're a bird lover, hanging bird houses in strategically located spots will increase the visibility of feathered friends. There are many styles to choose from-- natural wood and bark constructions, painted wood, sturdy plastic styles and decorative metal structures to name a few. For a low-key effect that blends with natural surroundings, choose a style made from materials or finishes in green or brown. Or if pizzazz is what you're after, choose colorful houses in a variety of shapes.

As the wind blows, capture more than just a breeze by hanging a wind chime from an eave or a nearby tree branch. The gentle tinkling of the chime will provide a relaxing melody that becomes soothing background music while you're outside. For visual interest, hang wood or metal sculptures designed to spin in the wind or mount a flagpole on a nearby surface to display colorful flags that are available in a wide variety of seasonal patterns.

Your deck is the perfect place to showcase lots of beautiful plants. Plants add a natural softening element to the hard-edge components of a wood deck, and the lush, green and/or blooming color is a sure way to make your outdoor space come to life. By placing them in and around furnishings or hanging them from overhangs and posts, plants will provide interesting textures and shapes to complement other furnishings. Choose from a variety of planters and containers--wood, terra cotta, metal or even easy-care plastic--to accent them. If space for free-standing planters is a problem, use wrought iron shepherd's hook hangers that can either be mounted in the ground or attached to nearby walls, posts or rails. Many manufacturer's also now offer attractive planters designed that include hooks that fit over deck railings. Fill these planters with cascading blooming plants for beautiful color all season long.

 To Swing Or To Bounce . . . Or Perhaps To Glide

One of the most important elements of furnishing your deck--and the one that ultimately determines your comfort level--is the kind of seating you choose. The great thing about outdoor furniture is that it's not only designed for function (such as dining), but for fun and relaxation as well. Seating can be stationary, but it can also bounce when mounted on a cantilevered base. Or it can glide back-and-forth. Or it can swing when it's mounted from chains attached to an overhead beam or stand. Or, of course, with rockers, it can even rock you to sleep. Many pieces are designed not only for one, but for two or more people as well.

Take time to consider how you'll use the seating pieces and then try out available styles. Stationary or cantilevered chairs are a good choice for dining or general use. Gliders, rockers and swings are wonderful for just sitting or relaxing. And for the ultimate in relaxation, choose chaise lounges or hammocks to allow you to stretch out and nap every now and then. If your deck is under roof, swings and hammocks can be hung from the ceiling. But to avoid accidental mishaps, be sure to locate ceiling joists to make sure that the hooks holding the chains are screwed into a substantial load-bearing structural component instead of just the finish material.

Along with seating pieces, choose side tables to complement or contrast. While you'll usually find tables that match a particular seating group, take time to search out unusual pieces that can serve not only as a set-off surface but for storage as well. Old flat-top trunks or large wooden boxes can be painted and decorated. Terra cotta flue tiles or concrete drainage pipes can be topped with pieces of plywood or 1 x 12 boards cut to length to make simple and inexpensive tables or plant stands. (To avoid accidents, be sure not to overload them.)

There are cushions and covers designed for most outdoor furniture styles to add even more comfort while adding color and pattern--and punch! Cushions and covers and coordinating umbrellas also offer the opportunity to change your color scheme without having to change or paint the furniture every year. To add comfort and beauty under foot, especially if your deck is under roof, look for rugs to add color and pattern. Sisal or other rugs woven from natural materials are a perfect complement to a deck's wood surface. Or floor cloths made from canvas and painted to match chair cushions are a durable alternative. Seal them with multiple coats of polyurethane for protection, and as with cushions and other fabric accessories used outside, remember to bring them in when you're not entertaining to protect them from sun and rain.

The Best Dining Room Under The Sun. Or The Moon!

Like to dine al fresco? A deck is the perfect place to enjoy warm-weather meals with friends and family. Just as for dining spaces inside your home, you'll find a great selection of tables designed for 2, 4, 6 or more, many with holes in the middle to accommodate umbrellas to shield you from the sun. Whether you choose easy-care resin construction or the beauty of heavy wrought iron or wood, select a table size that accommodates your family's size and a shape that fits the space. Be sure to include not only plenty of space for the chairs but also for the people who occupy them and the circulation space around them when making this determination.

Add to your dining atmosphere by choosing accessories that complement not only your exterior decor but the mood of special occasions as well. Look for colorful table linens, dinnerware and glasses to create a festive atmosphere. Or choose natural fabrics and textures for a more subtle, relaxed effect. There are many beautifully designed table settings made from plastic, a very serviceable material for dishes and glasses that must be carried to and from the inside of the house. Have several serving trays on hand to make transporting food to the deck easier.

To get the most from your experience, equip your outside dining space with an outside kitchen. Most people agree that food tastes better when it's cooked outside, and cooking outside has never been easier with the variety of charcoal, propane gas and electric grills and smokers on the market. For safety's sake, be sure to use care when cooking over open flames. When cooking with charcoal, don't allow hot coals and ashes to remain on wooden deck surfaces. (For added protection, try using a large square of cement board directly under the grill.) And last, but not least, make sure the chef has all the necessary tools and utensils to make the job easier, including a colorful, personalized apron to make sure no one forgets who does all the work!

Illuminating Experiences

One of the great things about sitting on your deck at night is enjoying the special effects that only night lighting can provide. For safety and special effects on steps and walkways leading to your deck, install low-voltage lighting to illuminate paths and add sparkle to plants and trees around them. Affordable deck lighting kits, a fairly recent edition to the market, make creating pools of light on steps and rails an easy way to achieve just the right amount of night light.

For pure atmosphere, nothing beats candles for providing soft illumination. Those made with citronella can also help to keep insects from invading your space. Torches mounted to bamboo poles are especially effective for setting a party mood. (Be sure to use proper care when lighting torches and don't forget to extinguish the flames before you go inside.)