8 Thoughtfully Designed Under-Deck Lounge Spaces
See sheltered outdoor areas that effectively extend living space in comfort and style
Space under a deck often acts like an outdoor storeroom — for bikes, firewood, strollers, muddy shoes or what have you. But it can be so much more. With a little consideration, an under-deck area can allow for refreshing time outdoors with shelter from the sun and rain. Firewood can even be a design element, and bicycles can add charm. See how designers created protected and stylish outdoor living spaces in these eight projects — and share your own thoughtful under-deck area in the Comments.
2. Kids Corner
The “before” photo of this Seattle under-deck area shows how it was a hodgepodge of clutter. The homeowners wanted to create plenty of room where their young children could play, as well as space for dining and lounging.
Landscape designer Rebekah Rongo of SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture answered the call, and a sheltered area that wraps around a corner is part of the result. It’s designed for the kids, with a picnic table on one side, two bright red chairs on the other and a wraparound concrete step connecting the two. Tight-knot western red cedar walls warm up the space, create continuity in the yard’s design and conceal an easy-to-access storage area.
Note the light-colored under-decking too, to ensure that the spaces below stay dry on Seattle’s frequent drizzly days. Any water can drain through the permeable patio paver joints. After this photo was taken, the homeowners added a projection screen under the deck for movie nights.
Read more about this project
The “before” photo of this Seattle under-deck area shows how it was a hodgepodge of clutter. The homeowners wanted to create plenty of room where their young children could play, as well as space for dining and lounging.
Landscape designer Rebekah Rongo of SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture answered the call, and a sheltered area that wraps around a corner is part of the result. It’s designed for the kids, with a picnic table on one side, two bright red chairs on the other and a wraparound concrete step connecting the two. Tight-knot western red cedar walls warm up the space, create continuity in the yard’s design and conceal an easy-to-access storage area.
Note the light-colored under-decking too, to ensure that the spaces below stay dry on Seattle’s frequent drizzly days. Any water can drain through the permeable patio paver joints. After this photo was taken, the homeowners added a projection screen under the deck for movie nights.
Read more about this project
3. Great Entertainer
Initially containing just a few chairs around a fire pit, this space under the deck at a lakeside Virginia home wasn’t great for the kind of entertaining the homeowners were envisioning: hosting outdoor parties and watching college football games with friends. Landscape designer and builder Outdoor Dreams redesigned it with that in mind, adding two TVs, a bar and a lounge area around a gas fire table.
The team kept the existing concrete flooring for practicality but added a decorative edge of cobblestone-like pavers. A drainage-and-under-decking system keeps the area dry. And lighting, ceiling fans and heaters mean that everyone can get their party on long after dark and even in inclement weather.
Read more about this project
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Initially containing just a few chairs around a fire pit, this space under the deck at a lakeside Virginia home wasn’t great for the kind of entertaining the homeowners were envisioning: hosting outdoor parties and watching college football games with friends. Landscape designer and builder Outdoor Dreams redesigned it with that in mind, adding two TVs, a bar and a lounge area around a gas fire table.
The team kept the existing concrete flooring for practicality but added a decorative edge of cobblestone-like pavers. A drainage-and-under-decking system keeps the area dry. And lighting, ceiling fans and heaters mean that everyone can get their party on long after dark and even in inclement weather.
Read more about this project
Shop for patio furniture on Houzz
4. Sweet Dreams in the Shade
A deteriorating deck and a sloping lawn — that’s what landscape architect Micah Rogers of Boyce Design + Build was facing in this corner of an Atlanta backyard. As part of making over the entire space, the designer responded here with a lounge area featuring a daybed built into a new concrete retaining wall. This retaining wall and others bordering the sunken yard increase the usable space; they coordinate with the flooring’s grid of concrete pavers separated by stripes of turf.
Cool side note about the patio: It’s installed on a gravel base over a perforated pipe, which collects and directs rainwater into a rain garden.
Back in the lounge area, a custom aluminum under-deck system offers protection from the elements and houses wiring for recessed lighting and a ceiling fan.
Read more about this project
A deteriorating deck and a sloping lawn — that’s what landscape architect Micah Rogers of Boyce Design + Build was facing in this corner of an Atlanta backyard. As part of making over the entire space, the designer responded here with a lounge area featuring a daybed built into a new concrete retaining wall. This retaining wall and others bordering the sunken yard increase the usable space; they coordinate with the flooring’s grid of concrete pavers separated by stripes of turf.
Cool side note about the patio: It’s installed on a gravel base over a perforated pipe, which collects and directs rainwater into a rain garden.
Back in the lounge area, a custom aluminum under-deck system offers protection from the elements and houses wiring for recessed lighting and a ceiling fan.
Read more about this project
5. Double Decker
Two choices for enjoying the view await the family and their guests at this lakeside home near Minneapolis. Up top, designer Tracy Hains of Che Bella Interiors transformed an open deck into a screened-in porch with an adjacent outdoor grilling station. On the ground, a patio under the deck has plenty of seating and gets a bit of sunlight, depending on the time of day.
The sofa is big and curved, a convivial choice for when the homeowners’ kids and grandkids visit. And speaking of kids, don’t those steppingstones set on smaller rocks look just right for playing “Don’t Fall Into the Lava”?
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Two choices for enjoying the view await the family and their guests at this lakeside home near Minneapolis. Up top, designer Tracy Hains of Che Bella Interiors transformed an open deck into a screened-in porch with an adjacent outdoor grilling station. On the ground, a patio under the deck has plenty of seating and gets a bit of sunlight, depending on the time of day.
The sofa is big and curved, a convivial choice for when the homeowners’ kids and grandkids visit. And speaking of kids, don’t those steppingstones set on smaller rocks look just right for playing “Don’t Fall Into the Lava”?
Read more about this project
Hire a masonry-and-concrete contractor in your area
6. Root Job
Bare patches of lawn and tossed-in-a-pile pieces of firewood once made up this North Carolina under-deck area. Above it lay only the house and an exposed deck. Interior designer Brooke Kern landed on the idea to create a screened-in porch, and the area below the entire upper level got a makeover too.
The homeowner’s own vintage-style seating on a new patio overlooks the yard’s grassy expanse; a swinging bed joined it after this photo was taken. The firewood area is partially screened by a tree. And the whole exterior returns the 1960s home to its midcentury roots, after the home’s stint in Craftsman style.
Paint color: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
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Bare patches of lawn and tossed-in-a-pile pieces of firewood once made up this North Carolina under-deck area. Above it lay only the house and an exposed deck. Interior designer Brooke Kern landed on the idea to create a screened-in porch, and the area below the entire upper level got a makeover too.
The homeowner’s own vintage-style seating on a new patio overlooks the yard’s grassy expanse; a swinging bed joined it after this photo was taken. The firewood area is partially screened by a tree. And the whole exterior returns the 1960s home to its midcentury roots, after the home’s stint in Craftsman style.
Paint color: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
Read more about this project
7. Hang On
Stephen Shoup and Hide Kawato of building Lab made over several parts of this San Francisco Bay Area home’s exterior, and this patio under a deck was one of them. Two hanging chairs are a fun, modern take on the traditional porch swing. Wooden stools and a coffee table have an organic feel that fits the woodsy setting. And the flooring is unusual: end-cut pieces of black locust set in gravel, recalling the cobblestones of yesteryear. Demanding installation, yes. Eye-catching and unexpected, also yes.
The homeowners like to hang out here and wave to any hikers hitting the trailhead just out of frame.
Wood furnishings: Mushroom stool and custom clover leaf coffee table, ORCA
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Stephen Shoup and Hide Kawato of building Lab made over several parts of this San Francisco Bay Area home’s exterior, and this patio under a deck was one of them. Two hanging chairs are a fun, modern take on the traditional porch swing. Wooden stools and a coffee table have an organic feel that fits the woodsy setting. And the flooring is unusual: end-cut pieces of black locust set in gravel, recalling the cobblestones of yesteryear. Demanding installation, yes. Eye-catching and unexpected, also yes.
The homeowners like to hang out here and wave to any hikers hitting the trailhead just out of frame.
Wood furnishings: Mushroom stool and custom clover leaf coffee table, ORCA
Read more about this project
8. Big Views in Big Sky Country
This expansive new-build Montana home and guesthouse offer several opportunities to view beautiful Flathead Lake from different vantage points. (This photo was taken from the edge of the lake.) Pearson Design Group created multiple under-deck areas for dining and hanging out, with blue chairs adding splashes of bright color and creating a connected feel.
Shade sails protect the guest house’s lower level and patio from strong sunlight, as the house faces west.
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This expansive new-build Montana home and guesthouse offer several opportunities to view beautiful Flathead Lake from different vantage points. (This photo was taken from the edge of the lake.) Pearson Design Group created multiple under-deck areas for dining and hanging out, with blue chairs adding splashes of bright color and creating a connected feel.
Shade sails protect the guest house’s lower level and patio from strong sunlight, as the house faces west.
Read more about this project
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of patio photos
Hire a landscape contractor
Shop for your outdoor spaces
An expansive new dining deck created room beneath it for storage, a lounge and even a “clubhouse” for kids in this Ontario, Canada, yard. The closed space next to the staircase holds pool toys and other items, but Pro-Land Landscape Construction kept most of the area under the deck open. Adults can comfortably relax in standard-height seating in one section, while children get to hang out on cushy low-to-the-ground beanbag chairs and ottomans in the other.
The new upper decking is a Trex composite material (in Island Mist), chosen to minimize maintenance. Interlocking pavers cover the under-deck space and are used throughout the yard.
Pavers: Melville collection, Permacon
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