Decking ideas for the garden

Planning to add some decking to your garden? Keep things simple and install your decking at ground level, in keeping with the rest of the garden and easy to maintain, or get creative with a tiered or multi-level space, perfect for creating outdoor living spaces in sloped gardens. Add in wooden planters made from decking boards for your flower beds, a matching in-built seating area or even a sandpit for the kids. 

Multi-level decking

Decking can be built to any height or level and tailored to the surface of your garden. For this reason, decking is a great option for sloping gardens with an uneven surface. The decking boards allow you to create flat surfaces for comfortable seating or dining areas. For those who struggle to find space in their garden for a shed or other storage area, your decking can be designed to comprise a hidden storage area beneath the boards. 

Ground level decking does have its advantages too, however. Decking on one level is easier to maintain and likely a more feasible option for those planning to lay their decking themselves. Creating a multi-level design featuring both raised platforms and ground level decking can be a really eye catching way of laying decking.

Mix materials

Don’t be afraid to mix your decking with other materials like gravel or paving for some contrast, or to create a border or edging strip. The possibilities are truly endless since decking boards can be tailored to fit your design.

Create different patterns

Lay decking boards in different patterns to create interesting effects with your decks. From horizontal and diagonal boards to chevron patterns or framing your deck like a picture frame, the choice is yours.

You might also want to consider wood decking tiles. Easier to apply, these deck tiles can be used to create a modern and decorative chequerboard effect.

Add a splash of colour

Whether you choose composite decking or timber decking boards, both options give you the possibility of incorporating a splash of colour to your garden. Composite deck boards are available in a wide range of colours such as warm terracotta, earthy brown and modern grey, whilst real wood boards can be stained or painted to almost any colour imaginable. You can even use multiple shades of paint to create patterns, or mix your own shade to suit your natural wood and composite decking ideas. Composite decking boards are a great choice for low maintenance gardening as they are so easy to clean.

Find ways to utilise any spare decking boards

Leftover boards can be used for all sorts of garden design. Lay a path among flowerbeds, potted plants and raised beds with seperate compartments to plant produce and flowers. You could even try your hand at creating some decorative wall art to display in your garden.

Frame your decking with your favourite plants

While plant pots are the easiest way to add greenery to your new decking, you can also plant shrubs alongside your decking to create a border. If there are well-established plants growing in the area where you want to position your deck, no need to uproot them, simply find a way to incorporate them into your design and build your decking around them.

Use railings for a decorative touch

As well as being essential for making raised platforms safe to use, railings can also be used on ground level for a decorative touch. Railings can also be used to frame seating areas and create decorative entrance ways. 

Choose the best shape for your space with decking designed to fit your house and garden. For a more traditional look, opt for square or rectangular decking, creating clean lines and a sharp, polished finish.

Curved decking can give your garden design a more unique and unusual look with a softer finish. These sweeping curves can look great against grass, bark or gravel and can help keep your garden child and pet-friendly too. Be warned though, curved edge decking is more complicated to build than straight edge decking, which may result in longer time frames to complete your decking project.

Decking is perfect for creating a safe, child-friendly play area for children to enjoy. Decking's flat and easy-to-clean surface makes it perfect for positioning picnic benches, sandpits and other play equipment. You can also consider building a sandpit into the decking itself. When not in use, a lid made from decking boards can be put back into place to create a smooth surface once more.

Add lighting to be able to enjoy your decking late into the night. Drape string lights along the railings of your decking and position lanterns as needed. Alternatively, opt for a sleek and modern finish with recessed spotlights. From cool blue to warm white, choose between mains-powered and solar lighting to achieve your desired finish.

Planning permission shouldn't be required for your decking project, provided that it meets permitted development rules in your area.