I'd look into rooftop deck design and steal some of those ideas.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrFeJA0WDdkI5YUWB1XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=rooftop+deck+design&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t#id=156&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi1.wp.com%2Fwww.blowingideas.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FHouse-with-Roof-Deck-Terrace.jpg%3Fresize%3D1000%252C595%26ssl%3D1&action=close

I need a little help understanding this. Couldn’t pull up anything at link provided above. Is that a slider opening onto deck? What’s the height of deck surround + the membrane? Can you see over top if sitting on surface? Is it load bearing - meant to hold weight? What does it look like from below or the street? Can you place outdoor rugs over the decking? Where does it drain off / to so it’s not a bathtub?

Happy to answer. The slider opens from my bedroom to the deck. The deck is load bearing and can hold weight. The edge is a bit high so I’d probably need a high stool or chair to see over. I can get measurements. The deck backs onto my backyard which looks out into a field. There are drains. Outdoor rugs can be placed on the membrane

@rberesh73 Well then, it sounds like you have lots of options. Assuming you’d want to use the deck, what I would do is add an outdoor rug large enough to cover most of the deck surface, a bar height table & chair set to sit & gaze above the deck wall & also a couple of lounger chairs for - you know, lounging in private. I’d also add big pots with tall plants & some railing top planters filled with trailing plants to cascade over both sides of the deck walls. Also would add an umbrella just in case shade wanted when sun hitting a sitting spot. No idea where in the world you are so no plant suggestions but I do see deciduous trees so you must have seasons. Voila! You have a lovely retreat for morning coffee, afternoon lounging & reading & evening wine. Heaven!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Would you have that metal siding painted?

@rberesh73 You mean the inside of the wall around the deck only - not the house side? Maybe. If I did paint that part I’d use the cream or white color that’s the trim around doors, windows & eves. Not the top railing or any part that could be seen from the outside looking in, Is the sliding door bottom level with the decking or is it a step down? If it’s a step down I’d place a wide & deep wooden platform in front of door to make a deep & wide step for safety. It’s a small thing & don’t know if can be seen from below but I would paint that electric wire conduit against the house in the house color so it will disappear. Small outdoor string lights hung around the inside short wall of deck attached at the bottom of the deck wall railing might add a nice bit of ambiance for night time deck sitting. This deck looks like a generous size.

Ah yes I should take some further pictures. If you are at ground level, you cannot see into the balcony at all. All you can see at ground level is that it looks like part of a roof and you will see the shingles and the black metal capping. Since the black metal trim goes over the entirety of the house I would not be able to paint that.

Although I can't paint the black, I had wondered if I should paint the reddish trim on the deck. I was thinking black to match the trim but you are thinking go light? There is a very tiny step down from the sliding door....so small you wouldn't need a step. I wondered if you might have any pictures or links for items to place on this deck. I like the outdoor lighting idea along the rail.!!

What about a large artificial grass rug or artifical grass? Could you use something like that? You could also put a rug over it?

@rberesh73 Right - no painting of the black metal capping on top of deck surround or any part of the walls of house. I think black might be too harsh viewed from inside your bedroom - like looking out at black hole. But the creamy white would be a nice backdrop & doubtful any sun reflection back into the house. I wouldn’t use bright white but a softer white. I don’t have pics or links but think that you have so many choices because this is such a private space. My preference for outdoor furniture is usually bright colors. But, since this space is accessible & viewed from your bedroom, I’d think about using the colors in that room to make this an extension of the bedroom. Pick the rug first - so many outdoor rugs to choose from. I’d prefer the largest one possible to cover the floor. Might need a couple to butt up against each other? Depends on deck size. Then pick the furniture. I’d mentioned a bar height table but just guessing the height of wall surround. You’d want to make sure there’s no danger of going over the edge when sitting on a bar height chair! I think they’re called Pub tables. I know they have outdoor versions. This is the perfect time of year to be in the market for outdoor furniture. Size wise your limits are whatever will fit through the doorways into your home & out the slider!

Wow some really really great ideas! This makes me even more excited about this project.

Kendrah your deck is gorgeous! The height of the barrier wall reminds me of mine. So were you saying you went with furniture that did not see over the top and instead focussed on the sky view? Very interesting. Thank you also for the paint suggestion. I'll have to check again with my contractor about the decking. I know the roofer that put the membrane down said a floating deck could be installed but should be done so with care. My contractor (who is extremely fussy) said that he had done a floating deck (not sure what material) for another client and said it wound up sticking to the membrane which would be a nightmare. He suggested I go with some sort of outdoor carpet instead but I have to say the decking on your balcony is amazing!

"Stick to the membrane?" What does that even mean? I used to have a similar deck off our primary bedroom and used wood sleepers under the decking. Nothing stuck to anything. Your problem is that even if you put furniture out there you won't be able to see anything except sky because of the wall height. So the answer is plants, lots of them. Make it a garden.

The deck has a special membrane that was applied a few years ago for waterproofing. My contractor said he had some client years ago that built a deck on top of a similar membrane and due to heat the floating deck got stuck to the membrane

You might consider looking at outside patio ideas on here. Maybe you could try doing a living plant wall to cover the sides and make things look greener. Please consider our designs included here.

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