Case of the Mondays: Covered Deck
Since the weather has been so lovely lately, this week’s COTM is our outdoor living space: the covered deck.
We use it a lot and, because it’s covered, we’re able to be out there year-round.
Our back deck is located off the kitchen. It looks out onto our garden and firepit, as well as the creek that runs along the property so it’s got quite the view! There is some road noise during the day, but in the evenings, it’s a serene spot to sit, chat, and enjoy your favourite drink. Some of the railing/dividers just off the deck are made from old French doors, which fits with the character of the home and adds to the eclectic vibe. There are a few birdhouses and feeders so we can watch birds from the lounge chairs. It really is a lovely place to sit back and relax.
Most of the deck is covered, so it stays quite cool in the summer – a nice retreat when you’ve been under the beating sun working out in the garden! The deck is made of cedar, so it requires some maintenance. When we first got here, the previous homeowners had left their patio furniture: a table and folding chairs, three swivel bar stools, old side tables, shelving, and mismatched planters. Because they were all functional (and it was the end of the summer) we decided to keep what was there and save up to purchase new items the following summer. We did make a few purchases (the patio set and rug), and now we are going to continue.
“Creating a welcoming outdoor living space for your home is the perfect way to enhance your living area. It’s an investment worth making.”
We had discussed rebuilding with composite decking, installing a new railing, removing the decorative old fireplace, and refurnishing the entire space. I think those are still dreams, a bit lofty for us at the moment, but a possibility down the road. For now, we will be doing what we can to create a less busy, more stylish, and comfortable deck.
The deck when we first moved into the house.
The outdoor lounge set we bought last summer - a step towards creating our outdoor retreat.
Current situation:
Area rug, lounge chairs and table from HomeSense
Rustic wood bench from previous homeowners
Random plants and pots
Christmas lights around railing
Mismatched shelving from previous homeowners
Mini chair shelf for outdoor sound system
Below is a quick sketch of the floor plan. I’ve annotated it with the changes I plan to make:
Design intent:
The deck is quite busy and eclectic with random furniture pieces and things hanging from everywhere – chair shelf, drift wood décor, old bottles. The design goal is to create a cleaner look that offers hidden storage, a cozy seating arrangement, and all of the necessities for a social gathering space. Style-wise, I want to bring curved lines and smooth finishes, and create a blended Scandinavian-boho look.
Since the focus out on the deck is the surrounding garden (and there’s a lot to look at!), I want the deck to be simple (hidden storage, intentional planters/plants), functional (usable surfaces for drinks and food during social gatherings, and storage for outdoor necessities), and cozy (blankets and pillows, candles, and string lights for the evenings).
The palette for new items will be natural and tonal, as the garden and siding of the house do all of the heavy lifting in the colour department. Warm tones will pair well with the complementary tonal red and green, and the humble forms and textures will keep it clean and simple.
Below is the mood board for the covered deck:
What needs to be done:
Prune climbing plants, remove old planters, weed surrounding garden
Take down sound system and chair shelf
Pressure wash, stain, and seal the wood
Purchase and hang lights
Purchase and plant olive tree
Fill wrought iron window basket
Install existing and new furnishings
What needs to be purchased:
An olive tree from the local nursery
Cocoliner and plants from the local nursery
And last but not least…
BUDGET:
<$1000
I hope this has given you some ideas for how to update your outdoor living space! I’ll be sharing some budget-friendly ways to furnish and style your deck space soon, so stay tuned.
Next week for COTM, I’ll be staying outside and sharing our garden and fence plans, because we’ll be tackling these areas soon. Your yard and home exterior are just as important as the inside of your home so don’t forget them. Yes, it’s good for curb appeal but most importantly it’s for your enjoyment. Love your home, inside and out!
All the things,
Hello! Catherine here.
I’m a Vancouver-based interior designer and love all things creative! I’ll be sharing things that inspire me, posting design tips and DIY projects, chatting about all kinds of topics, and hopefully inspiring some people to make little changes at home to create an environment that is functional, beautiful, and a perfect reflection of you!
