Few things can bring as much enjoyment to your outdoor living space as a beautifully designed deck, perfect for entertaining family and friends on those sun-drenched leisurely afternoons or well into the evening. With the deck being such a focal point of the backyard experience, many homeowners are adding various amenities that balance aesthetics with function to help extend the time spent outside throughout the year.

"Today's decks are thoughtfully designed, offering both aesthetic appeal and everyday functionality—ensuring homeowners can enjoy their outdoor spaces year-round," says Joe Oakes, president of First State Building & Design. "Our goal is to make a customer want to live outside just as much as they love to be inside."

The Latest Trends
With today's society looking to maximize their time efficiently, many homeowners are opting for low-maintenance alternatives to traditional wood decking.

Jarrod Coburn, co-owner and production manager of Archadeck Outdoor Living of Mount Laurel, says that while some customers still opt for pressure-treated wood, it's done so mainly as a budget-friendly option. "Composite is certainly king right now," he says.

"Composite is the only way to go," concurs Sharon Shaw, outdoor living designer with Amazing Decks. "People's time is valuable, they don't want to spend it maintaining a deck."

Shaw also dispels the notion that the cost of composite decking will break the bank. "There are folks who have it in their mind that composite is so expensive and wood is so much cheaper. But with everything that is going on with the lumber market, that is not the case. Composite decking is very competitive with pricing and well worth the time-saving efforts it provides."

Coburn says there also has been recent momentum heading toward PVC decking as a viable option. "Mineral-based composite decking is getting some buzz right now, but the pros and cons of PVC vs. mineral-based composite have PVC winning across the board in my opinion. PVC holds less heat, is better priced, is lighter and easier to install," he says, adding that PVC is an especially good choice for decks near pools or in sunny backyards.

Evolving Deck Design
Materials aside, the overall look and feel of a deck still comes down to a matter of personal preference. Some clients seek unique designs that showcase the ways modern decking can help create a highly customized outdoor living space, while others prefer the classic-yet-refined look of taking the "less-is-more" approach.

"Unique elements like curved decks, spiral staircases and custom roof structures are becoming increasingly popular, adding architectural interest and setting projects apart," says Oakes. "Additionally, blending multiple materials—such as combining carpentry with masonry—adds depth and sophistication to outdoor spaces."

But not everyone is following the trends or looking to mimic what they see on HGTV. The team at Deck Guardian has noticed a return to simpler, cleaner designs. "Years back, everyone was designing and building multilevel decks with all kinds of cutoffs and bump-outs to make them stand out. Now it has evolved from everyone wanting to do something super intricate and custom to really taking a step back and thinking what this new deck is going to be used for. We start with the basic needs the family has, and design the space and areas to accommodate the activities they are trying to achieve," a spokesperson says.

Likewise, Shaw has noticed that what was once considered old has gained renewed life. "We are really seeing people looking at more geometrics—squares and rectangles—sticking with sleek and contemporary designs," she says. "There's definitely still a place for curves, but it's really kind of come full circle and gravitated toward a more simple design in the last four or five years."

When it comes to color, Shaw says market research indicates that homeowner preferences have moved toward more muted tones like gray, beige or bleached oak. "Manufacturers have responded with a softer palette of colors than the darker stained-wood look."

"Color-wise, people tend to like what's inside the house and bringing that theme outside so it makes things more inviting and kind of keeps the same flow with everything," adds Joe Magolon, owner of StoneBridge Renovations.

A Cohesive Strategy
Extending the comforts of a home's interior to the outdoors is indeed top of mind for those who want to foster a complementary vibe while also making their home feel larger and more inviting.

"Having the deck match the aesthetics of the home is a big deal for most customers, and a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor is always the goal when we're designing an outdoor living space," says Coburn.

"It's so much more comfortable to open the door and just walk outside on the same level and have the same feel of your home, but outside," adds a Deck Guardian spokesperson.

Oakes also notes how outdoor living has evolved into an extension of the home, with backyards receiving the same level of attention as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

"Today's homeowners seek cohesive, high-end designs that mirror the luxury and functionality of interior spaces. Modern deck design is no longer about function—it's about creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. Whether through complementary architectural details, color palettes or materials that [parallel] the home's existing style, decks are now designed as intentional extensions of the home rather than standalone structures" he says.

Added Amenities
To help further make your outdoor living space feel like home, there are no shortage of features that can help elevate your deck. Sleek outdoor kitchens equipped with pizza ovens, enhanced lighting, shaded structures, refined railing systems and heated areas are just some of the in-demand requests.

"The hope with a deck space is that it can invite your attention outdoors, but the amenities can make your home feel bigger by moving some of your activities outdoors," says Shaw. "Outdoor kitchens, bars, entertainment spaces, fireplaces, heaters, lighting—all of those things are really expanding how a family can get outside and use a deck during different times of the day, and during different seasons."

While every client is different, Magolon says today's homeowners overwhelmingly want these multifunctional spaces designed for comfort, convenience and entertainment.

"People are looking for different dedicated areas—kitchens for grilling, lounging areas with TVs—to help create different atmospheres," he says. "Homeowners are getting creative with their spaces and the nature of what's around them. ... The flow of the decks [we are building] are definitely different than a lot of the cookie-cutter decks that everyone thought they had to do [in the past]."

Another addition that has risen in popularity is the installation of four-track vinyl windows, which can be retrofitted to an existing screened-in porch or added to a new structure being built.

"They provide a nice barrier from the elements in the fall or early spring, but can also be fully open to allow a screened-in experience in the warmer months," says Coburn.

No matter what direction your design may take you, it's important to remember that trends come and go. The most important thing is creating a space that will offer comfort and joy not only in the here and now, but also for many years to come.

"At the end of the day, we are talking about trends and styles that are of the moment. But a deck is a long-term project and it really has to be about what speaks to that homeowner and what matches their taste and is going to complement how they live," says Shaw.

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

Archadeck Outdoor Living of Mount Laurel
Cherry Hill, N.J.
(609) 454-6170
Archadeck.com/Mt-Laurel

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

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

StoneBridge
Renovations
Malvern, Pa.
(484) 459-4920
SB-Renovations.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 3 (March/April 2025)
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