32 garden decking ideas to inspire your best outdoor living area yet

Garden decking can transform your outdoor space into a hub for relaxation and socialisation. With so many garden decking ideas to choose from, you can shape your garden into the perfect space for socialisation and relaxation.

A popular landscaping idea, decking can be used to zone a garden, or simply provide a space to be enjoyed by you and your guests.

'Perhaps the largest value in decking is the outdoor space it provides to entertain visitors in the garden,' says Jimmy Englezos, woodcare expert at Ronseal. 'From barbeques to dinner parties, they are a great way to showcase a garden space to family and friends, especially during the warm summer months.'

There are various garden decking ideas you can use to transform your garden, regardless of its size. We've rounded up our favourites and asked decking experts for their top tips.

Garden decking ideas

The two most popular decking materials are timber and composite. Check that your timber is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified, so you know it’s come from a sustainably managed forest. Composite decking is a combination of resin and reclaimed wood fibres and, being UV-stable, it won't fade like natural wood.

Even if your decking is a little old and worn, there are countless ways you can spruce it up. 'Most tired-looking decks can easily be transformed with a little bit of work and some dedicated treatment,' says Jimmy from Ronseal.

We've asked the experts for their best garden decking ideas to give you plenty of inspiration this summer.

1. Correct a sloped area

Having a sloped garden can make landscaping difficult, unless you know the right workarounds. If you need to even out an area of your garden, decking can be a great tool.

'Decking is one of the most cost-effective and useful ways to level out a slope in a garden and make it more useable,' says Simon Wardle, decking expert at Armstrong Cheshire. 'Sloped gardens can reduce the amount of useable space – anything situated on a slope has the potential to fall over or collapse due to instability, so building a solid decking area can make it more solid.'

Clever sloped garden ideas include elevated decking which incorporates stairs to create a level space, or tiered decking for a more gentle slope.

'As well as providing a surface on which to place things, decking can also be used as storage for storing toys, tools or garden covers,' Simon adds.

2. Mix it up with paving

If you can't decide between a patio or decking, why not have both? The combination is a great modern garden idea, especially if you've got both materials to hand.

'This look is becoming increasingly popular as it creates an easy-to-maintain but unique space,' says Simon from Armstrong Cheshire. 'Each of the surfaces not only allows for different activities but also helps zone your garden and increase the visual size of your space.'

Going for light flagstones with dark decking can look particularly striking, but experiment with different colours to get the right look for your garden.

3. Choose lighting wisely

The best garden lighting ideas combine style with practicality, and it's important to keep this in mind when brainstorming ways to illuminate your decking ideas.

'Outdoor wall lights such as spotlights can transform your decking area through different periods of the day – transforming your space from a practical family space in the daytime to a romantic, ambient evening space after dark,' says Rob Chadwick, outdoor lighting expert at CGC Interiors. 'Spotlights can also draw attention to specific items such as plants or furniture.'

Decking lights have a practical purpose, too. 'Use spotlights to illuminate steps and railings to avoid trips and falls,' says Rob. 'Plus, motion sensor outdoor lighting can deter potential burglars.'

4. Add balustrades

Decking balustrades are sold in a variety of styles and sizes. They can be used to section off areas of decking, for decorative purposes, or both.

'Balustrades can be used to create different sections within your decking – for example, separating a dining area from a lounging area,' says Gary Jarman, building expert and director at Building Shop. 'Taller balustrades can be used alongside privacy screens to shield your decking area from neighbours.'

Plus, there are plenty of ways you can decorate balustrades to add ambience to your decking area. 'It's easy to attach lighting like festoons to balustrades,' Gary says. ' You could also incorporate planters or climbing plants.'

Train fast-growing climbing plants along openwork balustrades for a natural, rewilded look.

5. Use spare deck boards as edging

Enhance your garden's coordination game by using spare deck boards for your garden edging ideas. The boards can be used to line borders or edge flower beds, all while matching your decking area.

'While some decking may be too thick to use for edging, thinner pieces will work well,' says Gary from Building Shop. 'Wood is a popular choice for edging as it's strong, sturdy and looks high quality.'

If you've already sorted your garden edging, there are plenty of other ways you can put spare deck boards to use. 'Decking boards can be used to build raised garden beds or as stylish planters to elevate your outdoor space,' says Glenn Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades.

6. Experiment with stains

Try staining your decking to change the colour of the wood while protecting it from the elements.

'Decking stains are more opaque than paint and are designed to colour and protect your deck while allowing the natural grain of the wood to still shine through', says Jimmy from Ronseal. 'It gives a semi-transparent finish with a subtle sheen that helps to highlight the beauty of your wood.

'Decking stains come in a variety of colours and tones so you can create a personalised look for your outdoor space. Dark colours like charcoal grey help give decking a modern look while making your furniture items and accessories pop and stand out more.'

Jimmy Englezos

7. Oil for a classic look

Another easy way to enhance the natural look of wood decking is by using decking oil.

'Decking oil nourishes and protects wooden decks from weather damage, fading UV rays, mildew, mould and excess moisture,' says Jimmy. 'It nourishes the wood to give it a natural finish that highlights its unique grain.

'Decking oil is ideal for those who want to show off the original beauty of their deck without masking it with an opaque colour. Natural tones like teak and dark oak can create a classic, clean and timeless look which won’t go out of fashion.'

Decking must-haves

8. Go vertical

Adding a vertical feature like a pergola or trellis to your decking area can help enclose the space, creating a sanctuary from the day's heat and a cosy nook in the evening.

With countless trellis ideas and pergola ideas to choose from, there are various styles you can use to add height to your outdoor space. Try the MyGarden Arched Freestanding Wooden Trellis to section off areas of your decking.

Once you know how to train wisteria and other plants along pergolas, trellises and similar structures, you can add even more interest to your garden — especially during spring when the blooms are on full display.

9. Make room for wildlife

The nature of decking is that it can be shaped and styled strategically to accommodate different areas, so why not allocate some space for wildlife?

There are so many wildlife garden ideas that can be applied to decking to transform your outdoor space into a haven – you could border off a section for a pond to attract frogs and toads to your garden, or you could add a bird bath or feeding table to a raised section of decking.

'To attract wildlife, consider planting a variety of native species around the decking area,' says Murray Michel, gardening maintenance and decking expert at Clear Amber. 'These plants can include flowering species that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as shrubs that provide shelter for small birds.'

If you're planning on adding a pond to your decking area, try adding pebbles to the edges to create a graduating effect — it'll help blend the feature in with your decking. Buying a pre-formed pond liner like the Pisces Naples Large Pre-Formed Pond Liner which you can grab at Amazon can make installation easier.

10. Surround your decking with plants

If you want to soften your decking and break it up with something more natural, plants and flowers are eye-catching options which make great decking decoration ideas. Adding planting will make your decking feel more connected to the rest of your garden. If your decking gets a lot of direct sun and you want to create some shade, small trees are a clever alternative to a garden parasol.

Those looking for small garden ideas who may not have space for planting around their decking can use potted succulents and herbs for greenery. The Mexican sunflower is a great flower to give a pop of bright orange, and the Philadelphus shrub provides a beautiful surround for your decking with pure white flowers and a heavy scent that's perfect while lazing about on your decking.

If you already have established plants in the area you want to build your decking, make a feature of it and build the deck around it.

11. Keep things cosy with a fire pit

Decking is often used as a space to gather and socialise, so why not make it even more enticing with one of the best fire pits on the market to keep everyone warm and cosy? A fire pit can be used all year round, providing a captivating feature for summer parties. Plus. there are plenty of affordable yet expensive-looking options, like the Hoole Cast Iron Lightweight Fire Pit from Gardenesque.

You could also use the fire pit to create an outdoor grill, turning your garden decking into the new go-to dining spot.

Just remember to keep safety in mind. 'Use a protective layer between the deck and the firepit itself,' advise DIY safety experts from Saxton Blades. 'Putting your fire pit or fire bowl directly on your decking can cause scorch marks – or worse, a fire. Make sure the layer is wide enough to protect from any flames or ash that fly out.'

Also, remember to keep the fire pit away from overhanging structures or trees.

12. Go for UK-grown hardwoods

For a natural look, UK-grown hardwoods such as oak or sweet chestnut will offer traditional quality, durability and authentic country style.

'Oak and sweet chestnut will naturally weather into silver and greys,' says Russell Bowlby, founder of UK Hardwood Decking. ‘These UK-grown hardwoods are durable timbers that will withstand the elements for over 30 years without negatively impacting the environment, assuming they're appropriately installed and maintained with periodic cleaning.

‘They're locally grown, which reduces the harmful effects of transport, and they're treatment-free so they won’t leach harmful chemicals. Unlike treated softwood, they do not become slippery and green, as the timber's cellular structure does not absorb excess water, thereby limiting algae growth.'

13. Adjust the laying pattern

You can make a bold statement with your garden decking ideas purely by experimenting with the laying pattern to create a unique design. A chevron pattern creates a sense of movement and length, ideal for making a small garden look bigger.

‘You can lay your decking boards in several different configurations to create an interesting type of effect,' says Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote.

'For example, you may choose to lay your boards in a horizontal design, a diagonal design, a zig-zig style, or a picture frame design. If you want to create an interesting and eye-catching look, consider going for something a little bit different.’

‘Alternatively, you may consider opting for deck tiles rather than decking boards for a completely unique design. Line up your decking tiles if you want to achieve a horizontal design, or go for an eye-catching checkerboard-style effect by aligning vertical and horizontal deck tiles.’

Deck inlays are another great way to add patterns to your decking. 'Deck inlays – a pattern within the deck field itself – add focus, depth and dimension,' says Lee Heitzman, UK and Ireland market manager for Trex. 'They enable you to put a unique stamp on your garden, and you can create almost anything you want, from complex geometric shapes to simple, curved lines.'

14. Mix things up with a curved edge

‘Decks with straight edges are easier to construct than decking areas with curved edges,' says Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote. 'However, decks with curved edges can help to create a much softer finish to the overall garden design. Curved decks look great when combined with grass, gravel or bark against the curved edge.'

When considering how to plan a garden, curved decking allows you to work around awkward angles and will fit snugly in corners or the centre of the garden. Semi-circle decking looks especially good in a garden with an L-shape, creating a special area to entertain and for alfresco dining.

However, there is still room for a grassy area, which is ideal if you have children. A curved deck is also handy if you want to make it a sociable seating area, allowing everyone to face each other during gatherings.

15. Keep it minimalist with light tones

Light-toned decking reflects light beautifully and creates the illusion of a larger space. It's perfect for creating a sophisticated scheme.

Going for a neutral colour scheme will provide the perfect backdrop to brightly coloured plants and flowers, making the other colours in your garden pop.

The only thing to watch out for if you go for light-toned decking is dirt and grime, which shows up easier and will need to be cleaned more regularly. However, considering how chic it looks, we think it's worth the extra TLC.

16. Use low-maintenance decking for an easy-care garden

For an effortless outdoor space that doesn’t require endless hours of lawnmowing, decking is the perfect choice. To make sure your decking is actually low-maintenance to help with your easy garden ideas, consider the material you use. Composite decking ideas provide a long-lasting option that's especially suited to high-traffic areas because it remains free of cracks and splinters.

You can take it one step further with an all-plastic deck which will protect you from the rot and decay that can plague timber decking if not maintained properly.

Composite and plastic decking also offer the advantage of not needing to keep up with painting, staining or re-sealing.

17. Build decking around a pool

If you are lucky enough to have a pool or hot tub in your garden, you need a sturdy and practical surround that also looks nice. If you want to channel a naturalistic feel into your hot tub decking ideas, timber is a beautiful material that provides rich colour with depth.

Use high-quality woods such as teak or exotic hardwood to raise the value of your decking. However, if you want decking that won’t need to be treated for extra water protection, composite decking is the way forward.

‘Composite decking is often available in slip-resistant and water-resistant options, making it the perfect flooring to have by hot tubs and around outdoor pools.’ says Aidan Bell, co-founder of EnviroBuild.

The plastic polymers coat the wood fibres to make the decking resistant to rotting and warping, too. If you like the look of real wood grain, you'll be pleased to know that a lot of composite decking now looks just like traditional wood.

18. Create a cabin style

The best covered deck ideas will help you create a spot to relax and unwind. There's some protection from the sun's harsh rays, yet you still get to enjoy the outdoors.

Give the space a private hideaway cabin feel by mixing warm-toned timber decking with cooler-toned grey shiplap cladding on the exterior walls.

Furnish with monochrome pieces and rustic accessories to complement the natural tones and add some warm lighting so you can stay out after dusk.

19. Take it onto the walls

For those with a raised garden, a good way to connect the lawn area with the patio is to continue decking boards onto a low wall that separates the space. This will give a more coherent look and is especially good in small spaces. Consider whether you'll need a deck railing idea for safety, depending on the height.

20. Continue the decking onto steps

Not every home is built level with its outdoor space, so consider integrating the steps with your scheme. Simply build your outdoor steps in the same timber or composite as the decking you're using on the terraced area.

Steps are notoriously slippy in wet weather, so make sure you choose an anti-slip material and clean the area regularly to keep natural woods free from algae or moss.

21. Colour match to your house exterior

Make a statement by painting your decking to match colour and style of your house exterior.

'When repainting a decking area, preparing your surface is really important to enable you to get the best finish,' advises Will Thompson, head of product marketing at Valspar Paint. 'First, clear away all items such as plant pots. Then, remove any loose or flaking with paint stripper or by sanding. Clean your decking with a stiff bristled brush or broom.

'Holes or cracks in the wood can be easily repaired with a wood filler. Once the filler is dry, use sandpaper to sand down the whole surface. To remove the leftover dust and give the whole deck a final clean, wipe it with a decking cleaner and let it dry. If you notice spots of bare wood after removing flaking paint, or if you’re drastically changing the colour (for example, going from a dark shade to a lighter one), you will need to apply a primer and undercoat first.

'Once this is dry, it’s time to give your decking a new colour. A paint roller or a decking pad will deliver a uniform yet vivid coat of paint.'

22. Add a brick border

Clearly zone your decking area by adding a brick border. Just like patio edging ideas, it's wise to think practically and use paving or bricks as they can typically be cleaned using similar products to the decking.

Flowerbeds make pretty borders, too, but make sure you leave enough gaps for people to move easily between zones without trampling any of your blooms.

23. Zone dedicated garden areas

Zoning our outdoor spaces is a popular way to make a garden reflect how we live indoors, an outdoor living room idea of sorts. Using different outdoor flooring helps give each area of the garden a sense of purpose.

A dedicated dining area will benefit from easy-clean decking, and a children's area is best suited to the lawn to cushion play.

24. Add a decking area to a garden room

Frame a garden room by laying decking around the perimeter. The area provides a space to sit outside, making it an extension of the extra living space.

Line this compact decking area with simple yet thoughtful planted borders that separate the decking and the garden room from the rest of the garden. Don't forget to complete the effect with dramatic outdoor lighting for the perfect decked garden that stays stylish into the evening.

25. Carve out a cooking area with raised decking

Give an outdoor cooking area its own raised decking to signify a dedicated outdoor kitchen zone. The use of wooden flooring helps add an indoor-style element to your outdoor kitchen ideas.

From a practical point of view, wooden decking can be easily washed down and is less likely to be damaged as a result of food and drink spillages.

26. Build-in an easy care succulent garden

Keep your decking looking fresh and modern by swapping a cluster of plant pots on the decking for a built-in succulent patch.

Not only will it make a striking centrepiece for your garden decking ideas, but they are also incredibly easy to look after.

As long as they are planted into a lightweight succulent soil mix like Miracle Gro's Premium Cactus Succulent Compost from Amazon, all they will need is a little watering during the hotter months.

27. Cover your decking with a glazed pergola

A glazed pergola on the deck provides an alfresco entertaining area that can be used whatever the weather. We find spaces like this especially inviting during the rain with the soothing sound of raindrops hitting the glass.

A well-designed covered decking area or roof terrace can offer year-round use of the space. Statement garden furniture coupled with cushions and throws will make the outside as comfortable and personalised as your interiors.

28. Make your decking weatherproof with an anti-slip treatment

Decking plus rain can equal danger, so it's wise to treat your decking with an anti-slip stain. A sail canopy will also keep the rain off, further limiting the slipping potential of the surface. Cuprinol's Anti-Slip Decking Stain, available at Amazon, will slip-proof your surface while giving your decking a fresh new colour.

'Using grooved timber decking boards also offers slip resistance, which is essential if using decking in colder, wetter months,' says Leigh Barnes from Jacksons Fencing.

29. Lay a boardwalk

Use decking to create a pathway through your garden for a solid garden path idea.

The boardwalk style will offer even more of a seaside feel with white pebbles, which help to keep weeds at bay, and the white creates a striking contrast with wooden decks.

30. Build a decked bar area

Enhance your garden bar ideas with this stylish decking solution. Let your bar take pride of place in the garden by situating it on a raised decked platform.

Including outdoor lighting as part of the decking setup will add ambience to an outdoor bar area. It's also a good idea to lay a rug under bar stools so there's a grippy surface to step onto after a couple of cocktails!

31. Paint raised beds white in contrast

Plant raised flower beds to add interest to the centre of your decking. They'll fill in large areas of open decking and also elevate the plants so that everything isn't at ground level.

Create a striking look by choosing contrasting, monochromatic colours for the beds and the decking.

32. Build matching floating stairs

Soften the hard edges of your decking with an abundance of pretty flowers and herbs that creep right up to the door.

Floating steps made out of the same material as the decking create continuity between the two levels and can add a note of fun by bridging a water feature below.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to create decking?

Adding decking to your garden may seem daunting, but there are ways to make the process cheaper.

'Don't over-buy materials,' says Simon Wardle from Armstrong Cheshire. 'Measure your space and use an online calculator to order the perfect number of boards.

'Also, try to use pressure-treated timber. Although this requires more regular care (often every summer), it can be the most cost-effective way to install a deck this summer.

'If you're going to work with a tradesperson rather than self-install, scheduling work in early spring or later in the summer can afford significant labour savings, which is often the bulk of home improvement costs.'

Is it cheaper to lay a patio or decking?

If you want to revamp your outdoor space on a budget, you might be wondering what the cheapest options are. While decking is a popular option, patios are also a go-to choice for many. But which is cheaper?

'I would usually advise that a deck is cheaper than a patio, because a deck can be installed over uneven surfaces, and a composite deck can be a much easier thing to install compared to a patio,' advises Glenn Pesket from Saxton Blades.

'However, it is worth considering that decking will likely need replacing sooner than a patio, despite the initial upfront cost. Even with minor repairs such as re-painting, you could enjoy up to 25 years out of a patio compared to 10-15 years out of a deck.

'However, as many people like to change their homes, I would advise going for the decking for the smaller upfront cost, and to care for it through regular cleaning and oiling (if it's wood).'

Which decking ideas will you be trying out in your garden?