Elevating Backyard Living: The Modern Deck Experience

Elevate your backyard with a multi-level deck that blends sophistication with expansive views. Designed for entertaining, this deck is complete with an outdoor kitchen and bar to host gatherings all year long. Fire elements like fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are a hot trend in backyard design. These features provide warmth in cooler temperatures and …

Elevate your backyard with a multi-level deck that blends sophistication with expansive views. Designed for entertaining, this deck is complete with an outdoor kitchen and bar to host gatherings all year long.

Fire elements like fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are a hot trend in backyard design. These features provide warmth in cooler temperatures and a cozy ambiance perfect for social gatherings.

Multi-Level Decks

Once upon a time, traditional flat decks reigned supreme for backyard barbecues and summer soirees. Today, savvy homeowners are opting for multi-level designs that offer separate seamless zones that can accommodate various entertainment needs. The use of differing elevations, varying materials, and strategic placement of features like planters or privacy screens can make for a strikingly beautiful extension of the home.

The tiered layout of this deck offers a cozy sitting area perfect for relaxing while the upper level hosts a sleek dining table and chairs for al fresco meals. Clean lines, black metal railings, and decorative accents complement the natural wood tones of the deck. In addition, a custom-built privacy screen adds seclusion and visual contrast.

Whether you want to tuck a grilling area, outdoor kitchen, or seating nook into a unique multi-level design, Wave Outdoors has the expertise and creativity to turn your backyard into a breathtaking backyard retreat. Our talented team of designers can adapt your space to meet the needs of your family, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences, ensuring an effective integration of your deck with the surrounding landscape.

In addition to enhancing your backyard entertaining experience, adding a deck with a pergola or gazebo can also increase the usability of your space. These architectural elements can help provide shade from the sun’s rays and protect your dining or lounging spot from rain showers, allowing you to enjoy your backyard oasis all year round. To maximize the impact of these architectural features, choose materials that coordinate with your deck’s overall aesthetic, such as wood or composite options that are resistant to rot and moisture absorption.

Curved or Wrap-Around Designs

Elevating a backyard deck with a curving or wrap-around design is one of the most stylish ways to enhance a deck. In this backyard deck project in Streatley, a circular platform and radiating curved steps worked well to overcome a narrow space and steep slope. A contrasting picture frame border made the platform even more dramatic and defined.

A circular fire pit seating area is a focal point on this modern deck. A broad wraparound stair allows people of all heights to easily access it from the deck, while an open layout and consistent planting palette help the design feel fluid and connected.

The curved deck railings on this outdoor living room provide both high style and functionality, allowing guests to comfortably hold their drinks without needing to keep their hands off the table or sofa. The woven furniture and coastal elements add warm textures to this cool, contemporary deck.

Adding a wood-burning fire to your modern deck design is an easy way to elevate the experience of backyard dining. This backyard patio deck features a custom fire pit, surrounded by simple wicker chairs and low-slung lounges. The modern patio also incorporates a built-in dining table, creating a fully functional outdoor kitchen.

When reviewing the many backyard upgrade options, make sure to consider how your deck will be used and if you want it to accommodate indoor or outdoor dining or lounging. Wood looks the most natural but requires more maintenance like staining and weatherproofing, while composite and plastic are easier to care for but might not look as authentic. Aluminum is another option that’s less expensive than natural metal but heats up quickly in the summer, or hire a Deck Builder in Charlotte.

Glass Railings

Glass railings offer a sleek aesthetic that elevates any deck’s appearance. They can be used to highlight breathtaking vistas that may otherwise be obstructed by other railing options. Glass railings also add a sense of sophistication to your deck, making it feel more like an indoor space.

Another benefit of glass railings is that they are durable and require little maintenance. They are not prone to stains or rust as wooden or wrought iron railings can be and can easily be cleaned using a mild detergent, paper towels, or a hose spray cleaner. This makes glass railings ideal for busy homeowners who want a luxurious looking outdoor space without having to spend much time on maintenance.

When choosing glass railings, look for one that is made from low-iron tempered glass. This type of glass is manufactured using silica sand that contains less iron (ferric oxide) during the manufacturing process, resulting in a clearer glass that’s up to 8% brighter than traditional glass. This clarity helps your deck look larger and more open, which can give your home a spacious and modern feel.

Lastly, glass railings are safe for children and pets. They are sturdy and can withstand a great deal of weight, which means they’re safe for any family who wants to enjoy their backyard in comfort.

Glass railings can be installed on balconies, staircases, or any other area of your home that requires safety railings. They can help keep you and your guests safe by preventing any falls, which could lead to life-changing injuries or even death. In addition, they can protect your home from weather-related issues, such as strong winds, heavy rains, and snowfall. As a result, installing these railings on your deck is a smart investment that can boost your property value.

Fire Elements

Fire elements are a must for many homeowners seeking to elevate their backyard living experience. They create stunning focal points and bring warmth, comfort, and a social element to any landscape design. In addition, they’re a natural conversation starter that encourages people to hang out in your outdoor space.

According to ancient Greek philosophy, Fire is one of the classical elements alongside Air, Water and Earth. Represented by volcanoes and deserts, it’s a force that’s constantly changing. It’s a creative energy, encouraging individuals to express themselves and communicate effectively. It also fosters friendship and community. People with a strong balance of the Fire element have vibrant social lives and tend to be effective leaders and communicators.

For landscape designer Molly Wood, fire elements are a big part of the backyards she designs for her clients, most of whom are focused on entertaining outdoors. She recently designed an entertainment-oriented backyard in Newport Beach for a single woman that features a fire-and-water element, along with a sleek outdoor kitchen and dining area.

The fireplace has a sleek, modern look, and she surrounded it with plantings that complement its shape. Rather than using plants that are dense or lush, she chose open-textured shrubs and grasses like the heat-tolerant Coreopsis. Its flame-like shape and yellow flowers resemble flames and add visual interest to the space.

In addition, she used fire-proof textured concrete and stone for the fire pit. This material is attractive and durable, requiring minimal maintenance. She also added a custom rock waterfall, which adds texture to the landscape and provides a water feature for soothing sounds in the background. This design also has a natural cooling effect and helps balance the excess Fire in the area.

Biophilic Designs

Biophilic designs help us reconnect with nature, even when our environment is artificial. They utilize textures, colors, shapes, and patterns found in nature to create a sense of calm. Often, this is done without any living plants; it’s simply a matter of selecting materials that resemble those you would find in nature and using color palettes that reflect the natural world.

Biophilia is rooted in our innate need for connection to nature. As such, architects and designers use it as a tool to help build environments that satisfy those needs. One of the most popular examples of biophilic design is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which features natural rock and water elements and has windows that frame views of the surrounding mountains. Incorporating a natural element like this into your home can be as simple as opening the curtains to enjoy a mountain view or using accents and furniture made of wood that evokes the outdoors.

Another common example of a biophilic design is the use of natural lighting in a space. Daylighting is essential to human health, and it can boost mood and productivity. It also helps regulate circadian rhythms and can remind occupants of open skies and tree canopies. Adding natural light to your building or interior space can help improve energy efficiency and reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Many homes feature large windows that look out at the street or neighboring yards. However, you can create a more biophilic interior by installing windows that face your backyard or the most natural area on your property. This can help you feel a greater connection to the outdoors and increase your privacy while promoting relaxation and restfulness in the home.

Julie Cochran

Julie Cochran

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