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Stylish Garden Decking Ideas to Complete Your Outdoor Setup

Garden decking can take the outdoor living experience to the next level. It elevates the plot and is a versatile landscape material for gardens.

Perfect for creating new areas and defining spaces, decks can also work with any design. Regardless of the size or shape of your yard, there are plenty of brilliant styles to choose from to fit your home.

Create a fabulous outdoor zone designed with garden heaters electric for year-round use. A decked pathway to the bottom of your garden or a sturdy platform for hosting alfresco dining or BBQ.

These garden decking ideas are sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration!

1. Different flooring for zoning

Using different flooring choices helps zone out the outdoor space. This trick works well with limited spaces, making them actually look bigger.

Draw inspiration from this style. Create a separate decking area for alfresco dining that wraps around the patio. If you’re thinking of furnishing it, check out these garden furniture for small gardens.

A woman posing on her new garden deck
Image Credit: Flickr, John Cooper

2. Modern covered deck

Consider a covered deck built with pressure-treated framing for a robust structure. The concept allows you to make the most of your outdoor living space, no matter the weather. It also opens an opportunity to add a gazebo into the setting!

Two women enjoying a drink on the afternoon on the covered and decked patio
Image Credit: Pxhere

3. Mix and match pool deck

Choose a stylish and non-slip decking material. Use more than one material, such as the rich combination of redwood and stones, to add character to your pool. This fusion crafts an engaging visual tapestry that complements your pool’s oasis.

Backyard swimming pool with side wooden deck
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

4. Deck and a cheap fire pit combination

The flammable decking material is recommended for this concept. It should be strong enough to support the decking with fire pit design you have in mind. Install a flame-resistant surface to hold the fire pit and catch sparks.

Pallet backyard decking with a mini fire pit
Image Credit: Flickr, Jack Pearce

5. Koi pond from above deck

Your deck needs a view that offers melodic and soothing sounds, a.k.a. a Koi pond! Take a cue from this style; it leads to a stone path that follows the stream. Relax on the patio with a great view of this water garden.

Rectangle backyard pond with side decking
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

6. Garden room with decking area

A deck around a garden room provides more floor space for various purposes. The frontage in this two-tiered decked summer house offers a space to sit or dine outside.

Glass wall garden room with decking area
Image Credit: Negative Space

7. With a built-in mini succulent garden

A small succulent patch can keep your decking looking fresh and modern. Plus, it helps make a lovely centrepiece to the space, and they’re incredibly easy to look after. All they’ll need is a little watering during hotter months.

Mini succulent garden
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures

8. Make it weatherproof with an anti-slip treatment

Shade Sail
Shade Sail

When talking about garden shade ideas, a sail canopy is one of the cheapest options. It also makes an excellent anti-slip treatment for decking by keeping the rain off. Remember, decking plus rain can equal danger.

9. Create a boardwalk

Decks are perfect for creating a pathway through gardens. A boardwalk style like this can give your yard more of a seaside feel with white pebbles. The design also helps keep weeds at bay.

Boardwalk decking with railings on a sloped hill
Image Credit: Wikipedia

10. Stylish sun deck

Natural wood decking looks good when paired with black, giving off a classy sense. Keep everything in the same colour or add a bit of variation to create a fluidity of design. Beautify the area with greenery.

Matching wooden decking and mini pool borders
Image Credit: Pxhere

11. Section it off with railings

Ideal for modern gardens, railings can help enhance a sectioned patio. It gives off an indoor-meets-outdoor approach. Top tip: Complete the look with a 3 seater rattan sofa.

Wooden deck with railings
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures

12. Go weathered decking

Recreate this look by choosing a material that weathers well to add rustic appeal to your space. Surround the decking with perennials, and consider building in a shallow pond below to add more interest.

Weathered wooden deck
Image Credit: Pixnio

13. Natural stone all the way

This luxurious backyard features a free-form pool surrounded by natural stone. Instead of the usual wooden or composite decking, the owner used stones and artificial rocks.

Three extra-large urns and a stone water feature with custom fountains add ambience.

Wrought-iron bistro set on a corner concrete deck area
Image Credit: Pxhere

14. Parquet balcony deck

Think outside the box and lay a deck in a pattern, such as in the style of parquet flooring. Unlike the usual parallel lines, parquet decking also exudes an interesting aesthetic.

15. In contrast with bricks

It turns out that wooden decking blends well with bricks and other stone patio materials. Here, the two elements somehow mimic the yin and yang form, divided into two halves by a curved line.

DIY wooden deck with built-in bench in contrast with red brick wall
Image Credit: Flickr, It’s Great To Be Home

16. Made for two

If you want to install decking to your small patio, take inspiration from this budget garden deck. The homeowner created a small area that’s big enough to fit a BillyOh Windsor 0.6m Square Bistro Set For 2. Fill any extra spaces with loose bark or more lawn to extend the area.

BillyOh Windsor 0.6m Square Bistro Set For 2
BillyOh Windsor 0.6m Square Bistro Set For 2

17. Decking and artificial grass

Timber decking and artificial grass make a good pair, and this backyard proves it! When you have kids and pets around, they’ll enjoy the garden more with a grassy area to play on.

The faux lawn in this patio breaks up an otherwise entirely brown space. It adds shape and size to the space with its eye-catching curved design. Don’t miss out on these artificial grass garden ideas UK for more inspiration!

Curvy composite deck on the right and artificial lawn on the left side
Image Credit: Flickr, Satoshi KINOKUNI

18. Deck the hot tub

An outdoor hot tub in a garden is a big catch, and with the addition of decking, you can create a backyard oasis. Take a cue from this Jacuzzi hot tub complemented by a wooden decking surround.

Outdoor hot tub on a deck with a forest view
Image Credit: Flickr, Fiberon

19. Enclose your decking

An enclosed decking can be an extension of your home. This deck cover scheme adds both style and shelter to the plot. It allows you to stay outside for longer, keeps your furniture covered, and more!

Enclosed deck with glass walls
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

20. To mark your boundary

Although garden fences are great, you could also use decking to create boundaries. This is especially ideal if you have raised decking.

The natural line between the end of the decking and the wild blooms beyond in this garden is a perfect example.

Parquet mini backyard patio with stone fireplace and chimney
Image Credit: Flickr, Granger Meador

21. Feature a landscape

This raised deck features landscaping, looking natural with nature surrounding it. The warm wooden decking contrasts nicely with greenery and pebbles.

What a clever way to bring a touch of jungle landscaping to a plain urban backyard!

Side decking with a simple landscaping
Image Credit: Flickr, Lars Plougmann

22. Incorporate lighting fixtures

A combination of backyard garden lighting on decks can add drama and interest. The lighting lights up the area while casting an inviting, warm glow. On this patio, the fire pit ring and candles inject more warmth into the space.

Modern garden decking with LED lights
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

23. Front garden decking

When talking about simple front garden ideas, decking could be the last thing you’d consider. But here, a wooden deck has been installed on a firm foundation. This is ideal if you want to build a porch and make your front space more functional.

Front backyard decking patio in autumn
Image Credit: Flickr, Wonderlane

24. Add some fun

An elevated deck makes it possible to install a slide on it. It’s the best way for kids to slide down from an elevated deck, while adults can use the stairs. Fair enough.

A kid jumping his remote controlled car over a baby slide on the deck
Image Credit: Flickr, Alpha

25. With a built-in wooden garden bench UK

Wicker seats, cheap sun loungers UK, or even dining tables and chairs can be used on a deck. But if you’re looking for something permanent, consider a built-in bench. The material used in this bench is similar to the decking, making the design seamless.

Outdoor decking with a built-in bench
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

26. A canopy over your decking

If you want a sturdier shade option instead of a sail, opt for a pergola canopy. Not only does it provide shade, but it also protects against the wind and keeps the rain off. Not to mention that it looks good!

27. Build a new space

A quick and easy way to add some height and a new area to your garden is a decked terrace. Ideal for entertainment and alfresco dining, this can also give your property extra curb appeal.

Floating backyard decking with four posts and seating area
Image Credit: Pxhere

28. Zone out with glass borders

A glass frame wraps around this decking idea. The clear border frames the views and offers a sleek contrast to the rooftop garden. To enjoy the view into the late evening, consider adding patio heating ideas.

Poolside decking with glass borders
Image Credit: Pxhere

29. Match it with planters

Adding bench seating on the deck is an excellent way to make use of the space. To further the functionality, add built-in planter boxes. Decked steps can also double up as planters and banquette seating. 

Wooden decking with matching planters
Image Credit: Flickr, cultivar413

30. With skylights for the basement

If you have a basement under your patio, it’s worth considering adding skylights built into the deck. This will channel extra daylight into the ground floor.

To add a focal point, place a fire pit and surround it with lounge seating.

Garden Decking Ideas: Round-up

Garden decking is an excellent addition to outdoor living zones, including around pools. Even better, when paired with a hot tub bath experience!

If your garden has sloping sections, adding a deck is a smart way to zone out the space and make it more practical. And if you have a small yard, a decked terrace can be a stylish and low-maintenance option for your landscape.

The possibilities are endless, especially if you have a bit of know-how and a guide like this to get started! And so, we hope you can translate our list of inspirations into a real-life deck in your own garden.

Explore Garden Buildings Direct’s exquisite BillyOh garden furniture collection. Enhance your patio deck with the allure of our rattan effect furniture pieces. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your outdoor space!

We’ve also prepared some FAQs below to answer more of your questions:

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FAQs

Decks that are pressure-treated or chemically-treated are the cheapest material - in terms of long term cost. Wood decks require yearly maintenance, such as staining or painting.

 

With a pressure-treated material, you can save yourself the back-break of annual staining.

Yes. Decking is more affordable and quicker to install but doesn't last long, unlike paving. In contrast, paving slabs are pricey, take a long time to install but are low-maintenance and last longer.

No. Garden decking doesn't attract rats. But there are several ways you can deter them from your garden, especially in your decked patio.

 

Rats are attracted to readily available sources of food and water. So avoid spilling food under, such as nuts or seeds from bird feeders.

You can lay it directly on the ground or square the site and build it on top of risers as a floating deck. But laying it on the actual ground without foundation can cause moisture over time. Thus, needing more extra maintenance.

Absolutely yes! Decking is especially ideal if your garden is uneven or on a slope. It's great for levelling out complicated plots.

 

You have split levels and include steps to elevate the yard. With the right design, decking may help increase your home's curb appeal.

An untreated wooden deck can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Meanwhile, decks made of treated and composite materials can last as long as 50 years.