With holiday barbecues around the corner, temperatures rising and flowers blossoming, the desire to be outdoors is on a steady increase. Decks make an excellent place to hang out with family and friends, entertain or simply just soak up the outdoors on a beautiful day. 

At its core, a deck is just a platform—but with careful planning and a few exciting additions, you can transform your deck into an outdoor space fit for relaxing, hosting and wellness, maximizing your investment and enjoyment in your home.

An Extension of Home
A good deck should blur the line between the home and the outdoors, ensuring the same comforts of home while still allowing you to embrace the beauty of the outdoors. 

“The deck is an extension of the house and it should have colors and shapes that coincide with both the home and landscape,” says Mike Jerminski of Get Decked. “It should be built to enhance the structure it is attached to but also act as an entrance to the yard. Balancing functionality and design can make the deck feel like a natural addition as if it’s always been a part of the home.” 

Alongside matching accents, the deck design should be carefully thought out to ensure it meets your every desire and prevents the space from feeling crowded or disorganized. 

“The key to getting the most out of your deck isn’t just about size—it’s about intention. Dividing the area into distinct ‘zones’ for cooking, dining and lounging helps organize the space and gives each activity a sense of place. Incorporating natural elements like planters, vertical gardens or even water features brings a sense of calm and connection to the outdoors,” says Joe Oakes, owner of First State Building & Design. “And don’t forget the power of flexibility—modular furniture, retractable shade systems and smart lighting let the deck evolve with your needs. Ultimately, a great deck feels like more than an outdoor platform—it feels like a destination.”

Bringing the Heat
Hot summer days often come with colder temperatures at night, potentially limiting the functionality of your deck. Fire features can add an extra flair and increased usefulness to your space. 

“A built-in or portable fire pit adds a natural gathering spot. Go for sleek gas fire bowls for a modern look or rustic stone for a cozy feel,” says Dave Fisher, owner of Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living. “For more compact spaces, tabletop fire bowls provide a smaller but still atmospheric alternative.”

In addition to providing heat and light, fire features can be used to add a little whimsy to late nights outdoors with roasting marshmallows. 

Seeing the Light
Lighting is a big consideration when it comes to providing the perfect ambiance. White lights are better for visibility, but their harshness may be too much for homeowners—and their neighbors—late into the night. Yellow lighting is easier on the eyes and can work to create a cozy, warm vibe. But the options don’t stop there; colored lights can also be used to curate the perfect feeling no matter the occasion. 

“Lighting is a must have for homeowners who want to enjoy evenings on their deck,” says Jerminski. “Lighting should be soft yet provide a warm glow, and a very peaceful and relaxing ambiance to unwind at the end of a stressful day.”

In addition to setting the mood, lighting can provide an important safety function, reducing the potential for tripping, running into things or losing items. 

Lighting can be set up many different ways. From under-the-deck accent lights and overhead lights to strung twinkle lights and spaced out lanterns, there’s an arrangement for everyone, regardless of personal taste. 

Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are continuing to grow in popularity due to their customization options and ability to spend more time outside with friends and family. No longer does one person have to stay inside toiling over the stove while everyone enjoys a beautiful day outside. Instead, an outdoor kitchen allows the cook to continue to host, watch over little ones and breathe in the fresh air. 

“The kitchen has always been called the ‘heart of the home,’ so why not make that space outside as well by adding an outdoor kitchen on your deck?” says Andrew Mowery, sales and design manager at Amazing Decks.

Today, an outdoor kitchen has so much more to offer than a rust-riddled grill shoved up against the house. Custom-made countertops can be constructed to allow for smokers, grills, sinks, refrigerators and more into the build of the deck—making for a cohesive and intentional look. 

In addition to standard equipment, pizza ovens can be constructed to provide the perfect brick oven pizza at home. 

When it comes to outdoor kitchens, the sky is the limit as improvements in equipment, materials and technology allow for a set up perfectly designed to fit any homeowner’s needs. 

Maintaining the Beauty
Living in the Northeast means life isn’t always spent in the sun, so how do you take care of your outdoor space during the colder months? Well, it’s not as labor-intensive as it may appear and just a few simple actions can make a significant impact.

“Winter doesn’t have to be the end of your deck’s utility—but it is the time to be thoughtful about care. Outdoor kitchens and shade structures need a little attention as the seasons shift,” says Oakes. “Covering appliances, sealing stone surfaces, draining waterlines and storing soft goods indoors all go a long way in protecting your investment. High-quality materials like composite decking and powder-coated steel structures are designed to withstand the elements, but giving them a little help in the off-season ensures they’ll look and perform their best when spring returns.”

Finishing Touches
The perfect deck comes with intention, suited to fulfill each homeowner’s unique lifestyle. In addition to built-in options, finishing touches such as entertainment, seating and decor can really pull together a space. 

“Outdoor furniture and accessories have come a long way and now there’s so many options for homeowners looking to dress up their outdoor space,” says a spokesperson from Deck Guardian. “Hammocks, planters, rugs, electric waterfalls, fire tables and sofas all enhance the comfort and look of decks and make them so much more useful than in the old days where a deck was just a place to cook.”

Outdoor game tables, cornhole boards and entertainment systems can help to bring the comfort and enjoyment of indoor activities outside.

Watch your favorite baseball team while grilling up lunch, embrace the outdoors while catching up on the hottest new drama or spend a romantic movie night under the stars with the simple addition of a TV or projector. 

“A TV wall allows homeowners to bring out an outdoor TV to enjoy while lounging, sitting by the fire pit or cooking in the outdoor kitchen,” says Deck Guardian’s spokesperson. 

If you’re looking to add on to your health journey or incorporate something new into your post-workout routine, a cold-plunge tank or sauna may be the way to go. 

“Homeowners can add a sleek, modern cold plunge tub just off the deck for a bold, health-conscious statement. Consider a cedar tub for a rustic vibe or a stainless steel model for a cleaner, spa-like look,” says Fisher. “Alternatively, an outdoor sauna—barrel or prefabricated cabin-style—nestled beside your deck adds warmth, both literally and visually, and it’s the perfect year-round escape, turning your deck into a luxury retreat.”

In the end, a deck should be a reflection of the homeowners’ hobbies, needs and taste. There’s no right way to construct, decorate or use a deck—that all depends on what you hope to get out of it. Focusing on making intentional choices about everything from lighting and unique additions, to seating and beyond, can ensure the deck becomes a space fit for relaxation, hosting or both. 

“When thinking about your deck space, don’t think of it as just a deck, think about it as an extension of your home,” says Mowery. “Whether you are enjoying it for everyday life or hosting extended family and friends, how you customize your outdoor living space is key to get you outside more.”

Resources
Amazing Decks
Ambler, Pa.
(833) 774-8646
AnotherAmazingDeck.com

Deck Guardian 
Somerset, N.J.
(908) 332-8616
DeckGuardian.com

Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living
Gap, Pa.
(717) 455-3398
DutchiesStoneworks.com

First State Building & Design
Chadds Ford, Pa.
(302) 803-5082
FirstStateBuildingAndDesign.com

Get Decked
Serving Pa. and Del.
(302) 897-0302
GetDeckedInc.com