21 Show Stopping Garden Decking Ideas

Are you looking for Garden Decking Ideas? Your garden decking should be an outside haven that extends from your living space no matter its size or style.

Successful garden decking ideas will transform your garden into somewhere for socialising, relaxing and enjoying nature. Your garden decking could be a practical alfresco dining area, a stylish lounge or an impressive path to your garden home.

Decking can also be a great way to level out a sloping garden creating a functional area out of otherwise unusable areas. It is also a cost effective way to make the most of a sloping garden.

Using innovative building materials such as a versatile composite decking can bring personality and character into your home whilst keeping within budget and not forgetting its practicality for family living.

Composite Decking does not need to cost the earth and there are plenty of options and a range of styles to suit you. Ensure that your decking is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified so you know it has come from a sustainably managed forest.

Composite decking is a combination of resin and reclaimed wood fibres and being UV stable will not fade like natural wood. 

Covering an area of your garden with composite decking will ensure that your garden is always summer ready and requires very little work to make it fit for your family and friends.  

Here are 21 Garden Decking Ideas for you to try in 2023

1. Try a curved edge or a circular decking

A decking with straight edges is much easier to construct and install than decking areas with curved edges.

Decking with curved edges can help to create a much softer finish to the overall garden design and can look great when combined with grass or gravel right up to the edge.  

When planning your design a curved edge or circular decking allows you to work around awkward angles and will fit easily in corners or the centre of the garden.

A full circular decking will look especially good in a garden creating a special area to entertain and for alfresco dining or for that special seating area. 

2. Surround your decking with plants

By surrounding your decking with plants it can soften up your area making it more natural looking and softer.

There are some beautiful flowers that are eye-catching options that will make your decking feel more connected to the rest of your garden.

If your decking gets a lot of direct sun you may want to use some small tress or hedges to create some shade.  

If you already have established plants and trees in the garden you could consider making a feature of them and building your deck around it.   

3. Light tones and minimalism

By using lighter tones your decking can reflect modern garden ideas. These light tones are perfect for creating a sophisticated scheme. Lighter colours will enhance the natural tones of your garden and create the illusion of a larger area.

By using a light colour it could provide the perfect backdrop to brightly coloured plants and flowers. A grey decking for example reflects light and works well with candles and soft lighting to create an elegant area in your garden.

4. Use decking round your pool or spa

More and more of us are installing pools or spa’s in our gardens and terraces. Be aware that any structure you build needs to be able to take not just the weight of a pool (above ground) or a spa but the added weight of the water. Warmer colours will make the area look beautiful and rich.

You could use a good quality hard wood but this could really increase your budget substantially and create ongoing maintenance. A more economical anti slip and low maintenance option could be composite decking.

It feels and looks like wood but as it is a man made product it will not suffer like timber in wet surrounds and will not split, warp or rot.

5. Use the walls

If you have a raised garden, a good way to connect the lawn with the decking or terrace could be to continue using the decking boards on a low wall that separates the space.

This is especially good in small spaces. You may need to check if you need to add a barrier for safety depending on the height.

Do not forget to add a slight slope to any decking to make sure that it does not hold water and become a safety hazard, especially in winter. Check the manufacturers fitting instructions.  

6. A fire pit can lengthen the days

If you intend to use your decking in the evening why not look to make it more exciting and install a fire pit.

You could then use your decking all year round no matter what the British weather throws at you, and provides a captivating feature during summer parties.

The most underused room in the house is often the garden but when you have a fire pit, there is no excuse that it is too cold when you can sit next to those flames in the still of the night.

There is something mesmerizing about watching flames dance against an evening sky, listening to the soothing crackle of logs burning, inhaling the fragrance of the  wood smoke and feeling the warmth on your skin.

Keep everyone safe by keeping the fire pit away from overhanging structures or trees.  

7. Add floor lights

When the sun drops below the horizon the party starts so you need to make sure you can see where you are going, especially if any part of your decking is raised. 

We are all done with dull lighting schemes.  We want to brighten up our homes, gardens or the cosiest corners using lights to turn any space into a visual delight.

Adding floor lights to your decking can create instant warmth so they are pleasing and beautiful to look at even when they are not in use.

If you want to be flexible use solar lighting, they are simply charged by the energy of the sun. No wiring is involved and they are so easy to fit.

8. How about a country garden theme

For that natural look you could use a traditional coloured composite the traditional warm colours will add authentic country style along with the extended durability and minimal maintenance and makes it the perfect board for your decking.

All you need to add are plenty of planters filled with meadow flowers and a couple of sun chairs. 

9. Bring the outdoors indoors

The outdoors has a natural appeal to humans. The sky, earth, water and other outdoor elements make us feel refreshed, calm, and one with the earth. How do we get these elements from the outdoors inside of our home?

You can start by making a statement by matching your decking to the colour of your windows, doors and internal flooring. Try creating a seamless indoor/ outdoor flow using matching materials.

Another way would be to bring plants into our living space. Start by filling a wooden bowl or wicker basket with pine cones, seashells, smooth rocks or dried leaves and flowers. It is easier to use materials you can find in your region

10. Use decking on a sloped garden

A raised decking area can be the best option for gardens with slopes or uneven areas as the decking can create a flat surface where you can place a seating or dining area. Think about using the space underneath the decking for garden storage.

Do not see your sloped garden as a problem, see it as an area that can be used to create a focal point for your decking and that special entertaining space. You could also look to cantilever the decking creating the illusion that the decking is floating.

Since elevated decking is often high, you will need to prioritise safety and structural integrity.

Always follow the guidelines especially when it comes to designing the stairs and the railings. In some cases you may also need to get planning permission from your local planning authority.

11. Zone dedicated garden areas

Zoning your garden correctly will really make the most of your garden space and is a perfect way for busy families to all get their own piece of nature.

Zoning our outdoor spaces is a popular way to make a garden reflect how we live indoors.  Using two different decking choices can help give the garden a sense of purpose, a clear indication of different zones.

While the concept of splitting a garden may initially seem somewhat daunting, the process is actually quite straightforward.

You should make a list of the most important uses for example particular emphasis could be focused on the placement of ornamental flowers.

Others may find great joy in the creation of welcoming spaces in which to entertain friends and family.

Other popular garden zone ideas include creating outdoor kitchens, meditation gardens and/or zones which are specifically designed for children to play and learn.

12. Build a decked bar area

What about a garden bar to enhance your stylish decked area? Your bar would take pride of place if situated on a raised decked platform.

By adding lighting to the bar it would give that added ambience when dining with friends in the evening. You can relax in the sun or shade, enjoy a refreshing drink and chat away.

It is also a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

13. Create a covered deck area

We are used to needing to protect ourselves and our outdoor space from rain, snow and UV rays.

With a covered decked area you will not need to run outside to cover the furniture at the first sign of rain and you can feel free to leave your books outside without worry, it allows you to stay outside for longer.

Whether you have just installed a new Teckwood decking or improved an existing one there are so many decking cover options to choose from, you could add a Pergola with lights or even a huge brightly coloured outdoor chic Parasol.

14. Add a decking area to a garden room

Garden buildings have surged in popularity over the last few years and their uses are undeniable so why not create a dedicated outdoor area for your garden room, office, bar, gym or summer house by laying a composite decking area beyond the retracting doors.

The frontage provides a space to sit outside making it an extension of the extra living space. Adding a wood burner stove would make it that perfect retreat whatever the time of year.

15. Make your flooring flow from indoor to out

Making your garden decking an extension of your home is probably on your list as a must have. Decking can be easily levelled with your internal floor so that the boundaries between inside and outside are almost blurred.

16. Blend your fencing with your decking

Teckwood’s composite garden fencing makes the perfect contrast to composite decking when using the Vintage range of decking boards Choose complimentary colours, one for the outdoor decking and the other for your fencing.

This way you get a stylish look and get the best of both materials. This could be the final touch to your garden, the last element to encapsulate your home.

17. Add a cooking area

An outdoor kitchen will allow you to take your meals outside whether it is winter or summer. Even in the winter you would not have to carry the food from inside the home into the garden, just cook outside.

When cooking outdoors, the cooking area would have its own ventilation so there is no need to open doors to let out smoke or odours. A cooking area can be designed as part of the home and garden so you can cook and socialise at the same time.  

From a practical point of view Teckwood composite decking can be easily washed down and is less likely to be damaged as a result of kitchen accidents with dropped plates and more.

18. Look for modern comfort

No decking area is perfect without the addition of contemporary furniture but what style do you want for the decking? You will also need to decide if the furniture needs to be sheltered or stay out in the garden all year. 

The type of material chosen for your furniture must highlight the garden and it has to contribute towards achieving a harmonious balance between all elements of the garden.

A rattan outdoor sofa could be on your list of must haves this year as is timelessly chic. Adding a matching coffee table offers additional practicality and style.

19. Offset deck with flower filled planters

Incorporating planters into your garden decking design is the perfect final touch and when filled with plants, a planter can provide a boost of colour in the spring and summer months.

With the correct care many different plants can really thrive in a planter. Pots can also be beneficial for some plants as they provide built in draining. This could be especially good news if your garden is prone to water logging or if you have areas of your garden that frequently dry out.

As deck planters are typically fed with compost, they can provide an ideal place for bedding plants to grow without the fuss of checking whether the soil in your garden is appropriate.

20. Water stimulates the senses

Water features can also attract a variety of wildlife such as birds, frogs and fish making your outdoor space even more natural and giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature.

Water can appear as a decorative element in the garden in the form of small ponds, lakes, decorative pools, waterfalls, water walls or as fountains.  Water and the way it is used can make the difference between a garden and being that garden.

21. Consider the outlook from the deck

And finally you must take advantage of the view from your decking whether it is your neighbour’s shed roof or beautiful rolling farmland, every garden has a view. Clever garden design can enhance the view from your garden.

Hedges are fabulous for screening and for wildlife. In some gardens, the wider landscape is not all that appealing and so it’s important to improve the view by obscuring it.

Trees are rather good at extending the height of a boundary fence without blocking out all of the light. A glass balustrade allows you to enjoy the view even when you are seated.

There are plenty of options to suit the style of your plot and your budget. At the end of the day it is all about your own taste and style as is everything in this blog.

A decking is a relatively easy yet gorgeous structure that can add a lot of appeal to gardens. You can transform your outdoor area and create a living space where you can entertain friends and family or relax and unwind after a long day.

No matter what you use it for, you can be sure that you will love that special decking.

For more information and assistance request a quote by email at info@teckwood.co.uk or call our knowledgeable sales team on 0800 799 9082 to get started on giving your garden a signature look your family and friends will love.