If you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at some of the stunning home expansions that have been completed using composite decking!

Extend Your Living Space With: A Raised Deck or Balcony

A raised deck or balcony can help you make the most of the space around your home without disturbing your garden, ideal if you have a small garden or simply want to make the most your second storey.

Spaces that are raised above ground level tend to offer uncompromised, spectacular views of the surrounding area, meaning a raised deck or balcony the perfect addition to homes in scenic places. Many people choose to add a contemporary glass balustrade around the perimeter of their raised deck or balcony because the clear glass panels enclose the decking making the space safe without compromising the view at all.

Raised decks and balconies can also be advantageous for people seeking to expand their outdoor storage space. The area underneath a raised deck or balcony can be used for an infinite amount of applications. Simply add a door to create a secure garage or shed, or leave the space open and create a covered seating area or store things which need protection from the elements below.

The reasons to choose composite decking to create your raised deck or balcony are countless, but crucially, it offers the look of real wood without requiring continuous costly and time-consuming maintenance. Your composite decking raised deck or balcony will look great and require very little of your attention once it’s installed, meaning you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Create a Covered Seating Area or Garden Room

If extending upwards and outwards isn’t for you, why not consider adding a covered seating area or garden room? This is a great way to extend your living space so that outdoor living becomes accessible all year round.

In the warmer months an awning or veranda can help you enjoy your outdoor area all year round and  provide shade for your decking and patio furniture, creating the perfect spot to host a barbeque, set up a paddling pool or enjoy the peaceful summer evenings. In the colder months a veranda or garden room can transform your decking into a sheltered sanctuary where you can enjoy outdoor living whilst being protected from the elements.

If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could even make benches out of decking to create a seamless seating area with a contemporary finish.

Composite decking is ideal for use in outdoor seating areas and garden rooms that will see a lot of footfall because it’s incredibly durable. Unlike timber decking it won’t splinter rot or warp.

Add a Swimming Pool or Hot Tub

For a touch of luxury and relaxation, add a pool, hot tub (or both) to your garden and complement them with composite decking walkway.

Pools and hot tubs can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Some people opt for a hot tub shelter so that they can make the most of it all year round. Unfortunately, whether your pool or hot tub is enclosed or not, it’s likely that the surroundings will become damp as people climb in and out. That’s why it’s important that you choose a walkway that can withstand damp conditions.

Traditional timber decking has deep grooves which can collect water and become incredibly slippery. Composite decking, however, is moisture resistant taking in as little as 1.2% of surface water so you can enjoy your relaxing pool or hot tub area with minimal risk of a slip or fall.

Besides being slip-resistant, composite decking is a great choice for around a pool or hot tub because it doesn’t crack and splinter like other materials. This dramatically reduces the risk of injuries as people meander around barefoot.

Extending your living space is possible regardless of whether you have lots of garden space or not. Hopefully, this blog inspires you to make the most of the space you do have by investing in high-quality, low-maintenance composite decking.

Perhaps you already have the deck that you prefer and are looking for ways to bring it to life and create a fun, inviting place to hang out. You can easily create the backyard of your dreams with some creative ideas and planning ahead.

Plan an Outdoor Oasis

One of the best tricks for a designer decorated home is not only to focus on your interior but also the exterior living spaces of your home. If you are feeling adventurous and enjoy the warmth of a cozy fire on those cold winter nights, why not consider an outdoor fireplace as part of your deck design and build?

Photo: Atlanta Decking & Fence Co

Consider hiring an experience decking company that can create your dream deck from the bottom up. A living area with a fireplace, dining area, hot tub, and campfire pit are just some of the things a deck patio builder can create for you.

Backyard BBQ’s and Cookouts

A carefully planned backyard and deck makes the perfect place for hosting backyard bbq’s and cookouts. These can actually be stressful to plan, so make sure you have all of your food and dining essentials bought ahead of time. Learn which meals you can prepare the night before or free a week in advance of your party. Specialized recipes for outdoor parties will ease your tension as you prepare to host. Everything from cheese-stuffed burgers to oil and vinegar slaw are available for you to browse through and select to satisfy your guests taste buds as they enjoy your beautiful deck and backyard.

Photo: BK Interior Design

Save Your Grass with a Deck

Foot traffic is a stress causer for even the best maintained lawns. This is where a deck can help keep your backyard in great condition, as foot traffic can create paths, which lends itself to grass deterioration. With your deck, less foot traffic will occur on your lawn as people relax and enjoy the amenities. No longer will it be necessary to have furniture on the lawn.

Photo: AZEK

Our homes are not designed to create stress. It is where we go to unwind and appreciate the simple pleasures in life with family and friends. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to research the options available for having a living space outdoors to create memories that will last a lifetime!

Article By: Mirna Cacic

This adorable vintage-style beehive fits in perfectly on any porch during these warm spring days. With summer fast approaching, it’s time we get our porches in tip-top shape for porch season! This beehive would look great on a small side table next to your porch swing or patio furniture! It’s so easy and cheap to make and it costs less than $10 to put together! Everyone will think you purchased it at a vintage shop, since it looks so realistic! Make a couple of these to arrange in groups, maybe one large beehive with one or two smaller ones next to it. If the color isn’t suited to your tastes, break out the acrylic paint and paint it a fun color to match your decor!

Supplies:

1) Metal bowl

2) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

3) Rope

4) Permanent marker

5) Scissors

Step #1:

Begin making your beehive by wrapping the rope around the rim of the bowl. Add a few drops of glue as you go along to hold the rope in place. Remember, you’re only gluing the rope pieces together, not actually gluing the rope to the bowl!

Step #2:

Keep wrapping and gluing the rope until you have covered the entire bowl.

Step #3:

To finish off the beehive, leave about an inch of rope at the end and form it into a loop at the top, then feed it through the bottom before eventually cutting it.

Step #4:

To take the beehive off the metal bowl, you want to place it inside the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then you can gently take it off the bowl by wiggling it side to side until it slides off completely. Leave the beehive to come to room temperature, then cut a piece of rope for the entrance to your beehive.

Step #5:

Glue the rope in a circle and color in the entrance with the permanent marker. You don’t want wasps to take up residence by actually cutting a hole in your beehive!

If you like, you can paint your new beehive or you can add a few pom pom bumblebees to it! Place it on your porch just in time for this year’s porch season!

Photos: Confessions of a New-Old Homeowner.

Article By: Mirna Cacic

We just love anything shabby chic, and this cute chair planter is no exception! Raid your local thrift store or garage sale for an old wooden chair that you can turn into a planter for cheap! This is a great way to dress up your porch, patio, or garden if you’re on a budget. Paint the chair a fun color or add whimsical designs to it to dress it up and match it to your garden decor. This project is great because you don’t need any special power tools to get the job done, and it can be done in less than an hour!

Supply Checklist:

1) Old Chair

2) Paint

3) Sand paper

4) A planter with a lip, wide enough to fit inside your chair (the lip will help hold the planter in place)

5) Polycrylic

6) Screwdriver

7) Damp cloth

8) Plants and soil

Step #1:

Sand your chair using the sand paper. This will help remove any varnish that will prevent the new paint from sticking to your chair. Sanding the chair will roughen up the surface so the paint can stick better.

Step #2:

Take out the seat from the chair. You can do this easily by removing any screws using a screwdriver.

Step #3:

Get a damp cloth and wipe down the chair to get rid of any dust before painting. When you’re finished, paint your chair your desired color.

Step #4:

To make the new paint on your chair last longer, give it a few coats of polycrylic.

Step #5:

Add your soil and plants to your planter, then place the planter into the spot where the chair seat originally was. Now place your new shabby chic planter anywhere you like! Try it out on your patio or porch, or place it in your garden amongst your flowers!

Photos: DIY Cozy Home, Love This Pic, Moonstruck Vintage.