Small, Inexpensive Touches To Add To Your Custom Deck

When you think of custom decks, you may picture vast, multi-level decks with luxurious options like saunas and fireplaces. But what if you want something simpler and less expensive? The following are smaller, less-expensive touches that you should talk to your custom deck builder about.

Built-In Benches

Bringing chairs and other seating onto your deck and off of your deck can get annoying and cumbersome after a while. Plus, you have to find somewhere to store the chairs when they are not in use. Having built-in benches added to your deck design can help eliminate these issues. Your deck builder can make them from the same wood as the rest of your deck and use the same stain and sealant so that they hold up to the weather. Typically, these benches will be bolted down so that they do not move or shift. However, the bolts can easily be removed if you do ever want to remove the benches to have them refinished or to create more space on the deck. 

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting can transform a mundane deck into an absolutely beautiful one. There are many different options for built-in accent lighting. Your deck builder could incorporate small lights into the backs of each stair leading up to the deck. They could also build some wooden pillars at the corners of the deck and use those pillars to hold up some bright, glowing lights. Some homeowners have had lights built into the floor of their deck to cast a warm upward glow. Think about what part of your deck you most want to illuminate, and then talk to your deck builder about lighting options that will illuminate that spot, in particular.

Planters

Imagine relaxing on your deck surrounded by beautiful plants. This can really make you feel connected with the outdoors. Your deck builder can include some wooden planters around the outside of the deck, or they can build a large, square planter in the middle of the deck. This planter will need to be properly drained so that it does not allow water to pool all over the deck boards. Once the planter is in place and filled with soil, you can plant anything you like, from marigolds to strawberries.

If you're having a custom deck built, don't assume you have to commit to expensive, luxury features. A few built-in benches, planters, or accent lights can make for a gorgeous deck without the high price tag.