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Kiwi’s love to spend time outside, especially when the sun is out and it’s nice and warm. Having friends and family around to laze outside on the weekend is what dreams are made of. Whether you are looking to build a deck from scratch or alter what you already have, getting creative with your deck is a fantastic way to improve your indoor-outdoor flow.
In this blog, we’ll give you 20 creative decking ideas, as well as a few pointers on how to build a deck, make alterations, and make sure you’re ticking the boxes of the deck building code in New Zealand. Let’s get stuck into ways you can get creative to turn your deck into an oasis.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or someone who’s just starting their DIY journey, altering or building a deck is a rewarding project to tackle. Some small yet simple alterations can make a world of difference. Or, you can make out-of-the-box changes to challenge yourself. With the right gear from Hirepool and a bit of know-how, you can reap the benefits of altering or building a deck yourself:
Generally, consent is not required to build a deck or platform. This is the case when you wouldn’t be able to fall more than 1 and a half metres from the deck’s edge. If you’re looking to try something a little more ambitious or high, it’s worth having a read of the building code or to talk with an expert.
On to the inspiration!
Your classic timber deck is a kiwi staple. There’s nothing wrong at all with a deck that simply extends from your main area out to your front or back yard. A spacious deck is a fantastic space for kids to play, while the big kids put their feet up. Being made from timber also makes a classic deck affordable. Check out our fencing and decking hub for handy guides that include how to dig a post hole and how to cut posts to height.
Even if you already have some outdoor furniture on the deck, built-in seating can still be useful. A popular option is to have a bench that goes around the perimeter of the deck. If you do this you can choose to have a bench with a back or to keep it low to not interrupt the view. Check our range of saws which are handy for cutting timber to shape.
Don’t be scared to get colourful with your deck. Paint is a creative way to modernise your deck as well as cover up any existing damage. Painting your deck also means it’s often easier to maintain as you won’t need to reapply a stain every few years. It is worth noting however that moisture can sometimes get caught between the paint and wood. Also, once the paint is on it is hard work to get off. For more tips and tricks on painting outside, check out our hub for painting and decorating.
Having your deck set up for outdoor dining is a sure-fire way to increase quality time with your family and friends. Sharing a meal at an outdoor dining table is a nice way to connect with your family away from screens. If you get a good barbeque set up, it’s fun to try and cook new and exciting meals. A barbeque offers a certain taste to what you're cooking that’s hard to recreate inside.
If you want to make your deck feel like an oasis, a swing chair is a place to start. Picture this; you and your special someone cuddled up on your new swinging chair watching the sunset. Although a swing chair adds luxury to your deck, most swing chairs are cost-effective to buy or even build yourself. Before you put it up, use a stud finder to locate a strong ceiling beam to hang it from and make sure the chair isn’t too close to walls or railing.
Nature isn’t rigid and straight, so it often makes sense that your deck shouldn’t be either. Having curved edges on your deck is an elegant way to blend your deck into the nature around it. Cutting a decking board to a curved shape also isn’t as difficult as you might think. Using a router to round off your edges is an easy method with decking. Check out our guide on how to cut timber to size for more advice.
Adding an outdoor fireplace is a fantastic way to introduce some luxury to your backyard. Having a fire provides warmth so your family is cosy as it gets colder in the evening. As it gets darker, a dancing fire also provides great entertainment. Not to mention; who doesn’t love toasted marshmallows. Before installing an outdoor fire, make sure you familiarise yourself with safety considerations including:
Having a tiled deck is not as common as timber in New Zealand, but it should not be overlooked. With all the different designs and patterns available, tiles are a great way to get creative with your deck. Due to how smooth most tiles are, cleaning your tiled deck is also a breeze. Check out our handy guide for keeping decking clean for more tips.
We all know how a spa pool can add luxury to your backyard. Whether you already have a spa or are in the market for one, it’s a top idea to incorporate it into your deck. There are some weight restrictions with a spa that means it’s sometimes not a good idea to just plonk it on your deck. Instead, put it on the ground and build up the surrounding area with decking.
For a lot of deck owners, it’s all about sitting down after a long day to admire the view. Using glass for your railing preserves your view, whilst still being a safe way to prevent young kids from falling. It is worth noting that if your deck is higher than 1.5 metres you’ll need to either speak with a professional or read the building code before installing glass balustrades.
Sometimes a deck can look pretty bare without outdoor furniture. Luckily, there are different styles of outdoor furniture to suit where you’re located. If you're altering a deck near a beach try bright and summery colours, or if your home is more modern try minimalist furniture.
By the time you buy a drink and some snacks at a bar, it can start to get pretty expensive. Creating an outdoor bar is a smart way to bring the fun home and save some money in the process. Making the bar itself also isn’t too expensive or stressful. Premade cabinets and other bar features make the process easy. If you’ve already got a barbeque set up, an outdoor bar is a match made in heaven. Of course, always be a responsible host.
Building wide steps not only adds value to your deck but also to the overall value of your property. Wide steps are a fantastic way to transition from the deck to your lawn or patio. As well as that, wide steps make it a bit easier and safer for small children to get up and down from the deck. It’s worth noting that because building steps is not a beginner DIY job you may need a helper. Hiring a circular saw or mitre saw from Hirepool will also help you to get the job done.
Especially in the colder months, buying an outdoor rug for your deck is a cost-effective way to add comfort and luxury. Rugs come in different styles and colours to fit the theme of your outdoor space, as well as to serve the practical purpose of protecting your deck’s surface. Plus, a rug is handy for covering up any wear and tear on the deck.
Particularly if you have a smaller backyard, a hanging plant is a smart way to incorporate more greenery and nature into your outdoor space. There are lots of different colours and types of hanging plants that can complement your deck.
No one wants a sunburn. As we’re sure you know, the New Zealand sun can be harsh. Luckily there are so many different and creative shade options to fit your deck; whether a big umbrella, pergola, or even shade sail. When you’ve got great shade, your family and visitors can enjoy your deck for longer and more comfortably. Hire a ladder from Hirepool to safely install shade options that are high up like a sail.
Installing an outdoor shower on your deck may seem like it’d only be useful if you’re living near the sea. In actual fact, an outdoor shower can also be really helpful if you own a chlorinated spa or swimming pool. Or if you’re a pet owner, an outdoor shower can prevent a dirty dog from running through the house.
If you have a tree in the way of where you’re wanting to expand your deck, don’t remove it! Save the cost of getting it taken out by just building your deck around it. If the tree is high and leafy, it’ll also provide great shade to sit under. See our guide to help you cut timber to size, and be careful not to damage the tree or it’ll all be for nothing.
Level up your deck by adding more levels. A multi-level deck adds interest by creating a distinct outdoor space. It’s also really practical as you can have dedicated areas of your deck like a spa or dining area. New levels may also create new spaces for storage.
We all want to be more self-sustaining but it can be difficult to get started. A vegetable garden is a fun way to grow your own vegetables. Building a vegetable garden or planter into your deck also makes it easy to access so your kids can get involved.
These are our top 20 creative deck ideas for your home. Whether you’re a regular DIYer or just looking to get started sprucing up your yard, altering or building a deck is simple and fun to do. For all the gear you need to get creative with your deck, hire the equipment from Hirepool. Check out our decking page for more tips and ideas, or speak with Hirepool’s knowledgeable staff at your nearest Hirepool branch.