This is the way it should be you are asking for something not really possible IMO the deck turns a corner so should the boards and thta makes them run perpendicular when they turn . I think you are overthinking this I like decking to look like the interior floor but often the style of the deck dictates board direction. Why are you building a narrow deck at all. IMO decks need to be large enoght to use properly or naot a tall. Can you post a pic of the house and I cannot read the maeasurments so maybe post those too. All of that here in this post as comments.

It is quite possible according to my structural engineer. I'm not asking for structural design or feasibility.. I'm just looking for advice on how it looks aesthetically, particularly the rear narrow deck/balcony - decking parallel or perpendicular to the rear wall? Would this decking - being perpendicular to the interior wood flooring look odd or less pleasing than the decking running the same direction as the interior hardwood flooring ?

It looks like your "balcony" is 4' wide? What is the purpose of that space? Where are the doors to the house?

Its a balcony / deck on the rear of the house that overlooks nature and will be used to access the outside and to access the side deck area which will be where outoor cooking dining will happen. i have two doors going out to it. one in the living room and one in the dining room, which is close to the side deck area.

Run it per your drawing. It will look fine.

Thanks for the vote /recommendation Millworkman.

If it was just 2' wider you could actually put chairs there.

I am simply asking for an opinion on how it would look - perpendicular or parallel. I am not looking for structural advice, design recommendations, ergonomics, etc. The cantilevered beams are installed and I'm moving forward. From a structural perspective, I can go either way without any appreciable expense (side deck will be free standing)`. The narrow portion of the deck is acting as a balcony / walkway / bypass and I may install stairs that lead to a lower deck / fire pit/ sauna / studio (not shown on the drawing). 2 feet makes a big difference with natural light and the view from the lower level bedrooms with 10 foot wide windows. In addition, there were budgetary and structural constraints to how far I could cantilever the PSL's.

I was unable to find visual examples of perpendicular decking that shows interior to exterior or vice versus. if anyone has some examples, pictures, has done this, etc, any feedback would be greatly appreciated

IMO if you want advice maybe listen to what is offered IMO a 4' wide deck where it fsces a virew is useless and honestly IMO the best place for nice wide deck .

He asked about the direction of the decking Patricia, not the deck structure sizing. Your IMO not with standing.

Unless your deck is the same material as the interior floors I wouldn’t overthink it. My interior floors are oak, exterior dark hickory trex. They happen to run the same direction of the floor except the ‘picture frame’ around the deck. I only did that to have the most efficient use of materials/ less joints. I never considered interior vs exterior.

Hallet & Co. - thank you for the feedback ! Perhaps I am overthinking. I want to avoid a design faux pas. I went through Dwell's photo library and was able to find examples of interior - exterior flooring / decking that was 90 degrees out. My interior is 6" natural white oak and the exterior will be timbertech weathered teak, so a definitive contrast. One thing I didn't consider initially is the exterior siding orientation. I have pine tar (black) stained vertical shiplap boards.

I will likely stick with the orientation per plans. It will allow continuous boards and will draw the eye towards the rear versus down the long narrow balcony/deck. It will also provide a more spacious appearance. A little more difficult shoveling snow though :)

I am surprised that I couldn't find anything on this design aspect amongst the ocean of A&E / design sites/blogs/articles etc. Makes me think it's largely not a design consideration.

Patricia - thank you, but I wasn't looking for advice on the size of my balcony/deck. I had mentioned it in a previous comment above, but I have a couple of constraints with the width. The distinctly "modern vernacular architecture" and "upside down" configuration tends to work with the cantilevered balcony.

My primary goal is to have ample natural light coming into the lower level bedrooms, as well as good sitelines. Originally, there was a wider deck and it made the lower level dark/ gloomy.

Almost all of the glazing is at the rear of the house (by design). The larger deck to the side of the house offers equally magnificent views (under a cherished and massive sugar maple) but also it's hidden away and has more southern exposure in the heavy tree (deciduous) shaded climate zone 5 property. I can have bar w/stools at the 10' W kitchen window(s) (window is tilt and turn and opens to inside).

The narrow balcony can serve multiple purposes. Ability to step out from the living room, access to the side deck area from the dining room, a bar area as mentioned, acts as a bypass pathway with improved circulation, and access to stairs that will lead to a lower tiered deck/ sauna / studio (that whole left side was cropped out of the drawing), zipline station, etc.

Millworkman - thanks for the additional feedback and vote of confidence !

Here's the rear of our owner/builder project if anyone is interested. Still need gutters !