How to Design Perfect Decks & Gazebos

Deck space and a gazebo can add value to a home's market price. Most homeowners desire outdoor space for entertaining, relaxing and cooking. A well-designed deck or gazebo might be an important selling point for a potential buyer. Create such outdoor spaces to look appealing to almost everyone. Avoid building a design that is overly complex or ornate, because this can take away from the home's visual appeal. Create a deck or gazebo to fit harmoniously with roof lines, overhangs and all trim work on a home's exterior.

Instructions

Sketch the home's exterior. Look for possible locations for deck space. Plan a deck that wraps around to sides of the house, for example, to create an outdoor sitting area for both the kitchen and bedrooms. Design deck space to give access to a pleasant view, such as a view of a field, mountains or lake, if possible. Create beautiful landscaping for your own yard if no view exists.

Measure yard space. Plan decking at least 8 feet wide from house facade to outer deck railing. Use graph paper to draw decking and the house exterior to scale. Allow one square to represent 6 inches. Don't build attached decking that overpowers the house. Plan decking to blend well with the home's architectural style and not stand out on its own.

Design deck railing. Draw both slanted sides and perpendicular sides to deck railing. Compare the two to see what looks best. Include bench seating on decking if seating is not visible from the home's curb side. Keep grilling equipment, deck seating and an attached gazebo near the back of the house, if possible.

Install a gazebo for artistic appeal and as a porch space. Plan a gazebo for relaxing or dining, but use a plan that adds beauty to deck space. Install a gazebo that harmonizes with house roof lines and yard landscaping. Buy a pre-made gazebo at a home improvement store or build one from scratch. Create a gazebo roof height that would be ideal for a porch roof height in that same space.

Use high-quality wood for building a deck or gazebo. Create wood framing and trim work that will hold up for several years. Use cedar or redwood, for example, which will look upscale when stained or painted. Don't use cheap wood products on decking or a gazebo, because it's expensive to replace them over the long haul, and cheap materials will devalue the look of your house.

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