This custom roof deck in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood features lightweight aluminum decking, ipe planters, an ipe and metal pergola, and ipe benches with built-in storage under the seats. Few woods can match the natural beauty of ipe (pronounced ee-pey), a hardwood with a 30-year life expectancy. These pictures were taken in early spring, before the leaves have filled out on the trees. Plantings include coralbark maples, hornbeams, pink cherry trees, crape myrtles, and feather grasses. The planters include LED up-lighting and automated drip irrigation lines. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Outdoor patio shower - mid-sized coastal backyard concrete outdoor patio shower idea in Miami with a roof extension

Example of a mid-sized beach style backyard concrete outdoor patio shower design in Miami with a roof extension

This Boerum Hill, Brooklyn backyard features an ipe deck, knotty cedar fencing, artificial turf, a cedar pergola with corrugated metal roof, stepping stones, and loose Mexican beach stones. The contemporary outdoor furniture is from Restoration Hardware. Plantings are a lush mix of grasses, cherry trees, bamboo, roses, trumpet vines, variegated irises, hydrangeas, and sky pencil hollies.

Casey Dunn
This is an example of a mid-sized cottage porch design in Austin with decking.

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard deck design in Toronto with no cover

Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Trendy balcony photo in Dallas

Trendy backyard deck photo in San Francisco with decking and no cover

New Timbertech Composite Decking with Pecan and Mocha. Westbury Tuscany Railing with Drink Rail, Under Deck Skirting - PVC Boardwalk Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard ground level metal railing deck remodel with no cover

The bottom steel frame of the pergola removes the need for a center post - taking away any visual obstruction and maximizing the patio space. Photographer: Tyler Chartier

Inspiration for a country white two-story gable roof remodel in Austin

Deck - contemporary deck idea in Seattle with no cover

This is an example of a small rustic porch container garden design with decking and a roof extension.

Derek Skalko
Example of a small trendy deck design in Denver with decking and no cover

J Weiland
Example of a mid-sized mountain style brown two-story wood gable roof design

Tony Soluri Photography
Example of a trendy backyard deck design in Chicago with decking and a bbq area

Sausalito, CA / photo: Jay Graham Constructed by 'All Decked Out' Marin County, CA. 384299
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard metal railing and privacy balcony remodel in San Francisco with no cover

Caroline Johnson Photography
Example of a classic backyard deck design in San Francisco

Huge coastal brown two-story wood gable roof idea in New York with a metal roof