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Breathing New Life into an Old Wooden Deck
By Jessica Stockton
It is easy to overlook an old deck especially if you do not use it, so when you finally get around to having the back yard landscaped make sure that your old deck is in good working order before you jump in and decorate it. With a critical assessment of its structural soundness, a little maintenance, and a little imagination, your backyard deck can blossom into a beautiful outdoor living space.
Keep It Safe and Keep It Clean
First of all give your deck a really thorough inspection. As with any design project, it is worthless if it is not safe. So if all you need to do is replace a few planks, then get out your hammer and nails and have at it. After lose boards are secured and old boards are replaced, give the deck a good scrubbing. You will probably want to use a power washer and a stiff, wire brush. After the wood is completely dry, apply the first of at least two coats of a good quality wood deck sealer, drying completely between coats. Always sweep the deck thoroughly between applications, and your blank canvas is ready. However, if your deck has damage to its substructure or foundation, then you will want to get help from an expert. Again remember it is better to be safe than sorry, so get a referral from a neighbor or check with your local home improvement store for help with the repair. Look Outdoors for Inspiration
If you are not sure what colors to use when you decorate, just look around. Trees, plants, flowers, rocks and the sky all offer inspiration. You can easily splash bright colors across your space, or you can enjoy neutrals with a single pop of color. Either way, a weathered deck makes the perfect setting for your outdoor inspired living space. Look at farms, farmers markets and florists to help come up with some festive color schemes. The World is Your Canvas
If you are fascinated by a particular part of the world, and you would like to bring its flavor right to your back door, simply decorate your wood deck accordingly. Think of places that you have been where you were awestruck. Recreate a tiny Mediterranean village using warm earth tones and colorful tiles. Bring a Japanese garden to your space with tiny bonsai trees and a soothing fountain. Sip tea in a formal English tea garden with manicured shrubs and delicate wrought iron furniture. Any place in the whole world can be the inspiration for your wood deck. Invite Mother Nature to Join You
Make sure to remember to bring the garden onto the deck. Decorate with brightly colored ceramic pots cascading with blooms, or hanging baskets overflowing, or even centerpieces built from you favorite collection of living herbs. Add bird feeders to the perimeter of your deck with birdbaths for them to enjoy, then create comfortable areas for you to sit back and enjoy your creation. Your backyard deck is a wonderful way to make your house feel bigger than it is by adding an outdoor space for entertaining or to just enjoy as a family. So whether you use it to watch your little feathered friends play, read a good book, visit with friends and family or just enjoy the day, decorating your backyard deck is a fun and rewarding project.
Photo from Flickr - "Backyard deck" courtesy of aprilskivers . |
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February, 2012
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