Landscape Design
15 Stylish Small Decks That Elevate Outdoor Living
Built-in furniture, unobtrusive railings and other space-saving ideas maximize these outdoor areas
Adding a deck is a great way to make the most of a yard and bring life at home outside. These 15 small decks in a variety of designs offer stylish ideas for outdoor dining, relaxing and socializing in a range of spaces.
2. Cook’s Corner
Preparing and enjoying outdoor meals is a breeze on the deck outside the kitchen of this home on Washington’s Bainbridge Island. Sculpted Sites tucked in a grill, prep space, dining table with built-in benches and chairs, and raised bed filled with herbs against one side of the small deck. A market umbrella provides shade or rain protection when needed.
Preparing and enjoying outdoor meals is a breeze on the deck outside the kitchen of this home on Washington’s Bainbridge Island. Sculpted Sites tucked in a grill, prep space, dining table with built-in benches and chairs, and raised bed filled with herbs against one side of the small deck. A market umbrella provides shade or rain protection when needed.
3. Change of Pace
The designers at Envision Landscape Studio varied the hardscape by inserting a small wood section into the concrete pool deck at this home near San Francisco. The weathered wood flooring defines the seating area and provides an organic counterpoint to the more contemporary pool deck and surrounding landscape.
Patio vs. Deck: Which Outdoor Structure Is Right for You?
The designers at Envision Landscape Studio varied the hardscape by inserting a small wood section into the concrete pool deck at this home near San Francisco. The weathered wood flooring defines the seating area and provides an organic counterpoint to the more contemporary pool deck and surrounding landscape.
Patio vs. Deck: Which Outdoor Structure Is Right for You?
b Architecture Studio
4. Waterfront Dining
Expansive coastal views make this deck on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, an ideal spot for alfresco meals. Cable railings keep the deck feeling open, and beams overhead filter sunlight without closing off the space.
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4. Waterfront Dining
Expansive coastal views make this deck on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, an ideal spot for alfresco meals. Cable railings keep the deck feeling open, and beams overhead filter sunlight without closing off the space.
Shop for outdoor furniture on Houzz
Rembrandt Renovations
5. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Taking the party outside is easy at this home in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, thanks to folding glass doors that open to this narrow deck. The deck is at the same level as the adjacent dining room, making both spaces feel larger. Subtle lighting behind and below the built-in bench adds to the nighttime ambiance.
5. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Taking the party outside is easy at this home in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, thanks to folding glass doors that open to this narrow deck. The deck is at the same level as the adjacent dining room, making both spaces feel larger. Subtle lighting behind and below the built-in bench adds to the nighttime ambiance.
Well Done Building & Design
6. Beach House Style
This backyard deck in Newport Beach, California, has a classic boardwalk style that perfectly matches the location. There’s enough room for a comfortable outdoor couch and a cozy outdoor rug. Weathered gray deck boards blend with the home’s exterior color and provide a nice contrast to the wood fencing.
Key Measurements for Planning Your Outdoor Furniture Layout
6. Beach House Style
This backyard deck in Newport Beach, California, has a classic boardwalk style that perfectly matches the location. There’s enough room for a comfortable outdoor couch and a cozy outdoor rug. Weathered gray deck boards blend with the home’s exterior color and provide a nice contrast to the wood fencing.
Key Measurements for Planning Your Outdoor Furniture Layout
Board & Vellum
7. Cozy Nook
A built-in steel-and-wood bench enclosed on three sides invites friends and family to lounge and catch up at this Seattle home. The small seating area was designed as a landing pad between the house and yard, creating the feeling of an outdoor room without overwhelming the compact landscape.
7. Cozy Nook
A built-in steel-and-wood bench enclosed on three sides invites friends and family to lounge and catch up at this Seattle home. The small seating area was designed as a landing pad between the house and yard, creating the feeling of an outdoor room without overwhelming the compact landscape.
8. Woodland Gathering
This raised deck overlooking a San Francisco Bay Area backyard is designed for casual conversation. Seed Studio Landscape Design used two massive existing coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) to anchor the deck and ground the design. Stairs on either side provide easy access to the dining area and a meadow garden.
This raised deck overlooking a San Francisco Bay Area backyard is designed for casual conversation. Seed Studio Landscape Design used two massive existing coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) to anchor the deck and ground the design. Stairs on either side provide easy access to the dining area and a meadow garden.
MO Design
9. Double-Decker
Two decks are better than one when it comes to taking in the views at this Mill Valley, California, home. The low-key look of both decks reflects the contemporary style of the home. An angled bench on the lower deck and post-and-wire railings for the upper one are practical and in keeping with the style of the home.
11 Ways to Refresh Your Deck
9. Double-Decker
Two decks are better than one when it comes to taking in the views at this Mill Valley, California, home. The low-key look of both decks reflects the contemporary style of the home. An angled bench on the lower deck and post-and-wire railings for the upper one are practical and in keeping with the style of the home.
11 Ways to Refresh Your Deck
Winfrey Design Build
10. Shower Pavilion
This small deck in Houston with an outdoor shower and seating area is an extension of a large primary walk-in shower just inside the home. A glass door connects the two spaces, and privacy screens shield much of the deck from the rest of the yard without closing off the space. A metal roof provides shade and protection from the elements.
10. Shower Pavilion
This small deck in Houston with an outdoor shower and seating area is an extension of a large primary walk-in shower just inside the home. A glass door connects the two spaces, and privacy screens shield much of the deck from the rest of the yard without closing off the space. A metal roof provides shade and protection from the elements.
Entreprise AJM
11. French Flair
An inviting deck welcomes guests outside at this home in Nogent-sur-Marne, France. Two low tables are flanked by cushioned benches that encourage lingering. A stair-step divider helps screen the view of a laundry room and provides extra room for displaying plants.
11. French Flair
An inviting deck welcomes guests outside at this home in Nogent-sur-Marne, France. Two low tables are flanked by cushioned benches that encourage lingering. A stair-step divider helps screen the view of a laundry room and provides extra room for displaying plants.
Bandd Design
12. Modern Lounge
This poolside deck in Austin, Texas, reflects the home’s midcentury modern look and feel. Its wood flooring complements the fencing and breaks up the space between the pool and the edge of the yard. Patio furniture pops against the deck, arranged in the middle of it like an outdoor area rug.
12. Modern Lounge
This poolside deck in Austin, Texas, reflects the home’s midcentury modern look and feel. Its wood flooring complements the fencing and breaks up the space between the pool and the edge of the yard. Patio furniture pops against the deck, arranged in the middle of it like an outdoor area rug.
SBaird Design
13. Asian-Inspired Retreat
This tiny deck in Portland, Oregon, channels Asian design with its low bench, minimalist chairs and table, and pared-back style. Lanterns, including one hanging from a support made from a branch, and a small statue continue the look. A small stand of bamboo is the finishing touch.
13. Asian-Inspired Retreat
This tiny deck in Portland, Oregon, channels Asian design with its low bench, minimalist chairs and table, and pared-back style. Lanterns, including one hanging from a support made from a branch, and a small statue continue the look. A small stand of bamboo is the finishing touch.
14. Side Yard Getaway
A raised deck draws guests out into the side yard at this Bristol, England, home. Belsize Gardens added a pergola to help define the space and support verdant vines. The black structure also bridges the style of the contemporary horizontal slat fence and more traditional brick house.
A raised deck draws guests out into the side yard at this Bristol, England, home. Belsize Gardens added a pergola to help define the space and support verdant vines. The black structure also bridges the style of the contemporary horizontal slat fence and more traditional brick house.
Saikley Architects
15. Classic Craftsman
This deck in Alameda, California, demonstrates how an outdoor entertaining space that has it all doesn’t need to be large. Built-in benches provide plenty of seating, including at the dining table. A freestanding bench keeps the space from feeling overcrowded, and a grill has been tucked in at one side. The traditional look of the steps and railings nods nicely to the bungalow’s Craftsman architecture.
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Browse thousands of deck photos
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15. Classic Craftsman
This deck in Alameda, California, demonstrates how an outdoor entertaining space that has it all doesn’t need to be large. Built-in benches provide plenty of seating, including at the dining table. A freestanding bench keeps the space from feeling overcrowded, and a grill has been tucked in at one side. The traditional look of the steps and railings nods nicely to the bungalow’s Craftsman architecture.
More on Houzz
Read more stories featuring decks
Browse thousands of deck photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
1. Fireside Chats
A deck just large enough for four people bridges the area between this Denver home’s front yard and backyard. Its dual-sided gas fireplace, which also opens to the living room, encourages sitting and relaxing. And a black fire brick surround contrasts against the crisp white siding while tying in with the inky black trim.
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