Backyard Deck Ideas Ground Level - BackyardAdvice.net (2023)

Ground Level Deck Design With Bench

How to Build a Floating Deck

If youre looking for ground-level deck ideas that incorporate seating, youre in luck. This design features a bench along with one of the edges and a seat near a planter, creating two elegant and convenient spaces for resting and enjoying your yard.

Plus, the look of this deck is elevated by the paint. The contrast between the natural colored wood and colored risers creates visual interest while also making it feel like part of the house instead of an add-on.

Small Deck Ideas: 27 Ways To Maximize Your Outdoor Space

Even a small deck is a great place to spend time outdoors with your family or entertain friends. Smaller outdoor living spaces create a cozy atmosphere and can offer versatility and functionality comparable to larger spaces. You just have to put a little more thought into the design and get creative when it comes to how to make a small space serve multiple purposes.

To help you get inspired for your own deck design, here are 27 small deck ideas to consider.

Raised Natural Wood Backyard Deck

Even if your backyard isnt exactly even, you can make things appear more symmetrical with the right deck design. The use of natural wood is beneficial here as it can work with any style you opt to use with your furniture. Also, this deck isnt too far up off the ground, but it is enough that it pairs well with some stairs on either side of the deck. This is more useful when you have a bigger backyard and create a spacious deck that needs two entrances and exits.

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Deck With Rail And Gate

The look of this deck is highly modern thanks to the clean lines and black spindles in the railing. The lines are clean, and the design is simple, but the natural wood also makes it striking.

For homes with children, this deck also offers the benefit of a gate that blends in with the railing. It can keep kids from falling down the stairs or wandering into the yard unsupervised, all without impeding the overall look.

Organic Free Standing Deck

Unlike the majority of deck designs, this one doesnt have many hard lines. Instead, the edges and layout feel more organic, featuring curves and a bit of unevenness.

Since the design isnt particularly linear, its easy to adapt around objects like trees or curving walkways. Plus, it may feel a bit more like a natural part of the environment, as it lacks the harsh lines that you find in many manmade structures.

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Smallsloped Backyard Deck Ideas

If your backyard is only slightly sloped or has some flatter areas, you may be able to get away with a regular flat deck with a railing and a small set of stairs.

This also gives you the opportunity to store out-of-season gear or yard-work tools under your deck rather than in a separate shed.

Alternatively, if your yard is sloped right at the back door but flat further down, you may choose to build a small porch with stairs leading down to a larger flat deck at the bottom.

This gives you lots of landscaping options for the hilly part of your yard next to your stairs you might incorporate a rocky waterfall or tiered flower garden, for example.

How Can I Make A Small Deck Look Bigger

Choose deck furniture that fits the way your deck is built. A combination sofa made of wicker or rattan can fit nicely in the corner of your deck. Especially if your deck is attached to your house. By putting a combination sofa on your deck against the wall of your house. Then you can free up more space on your deck and give your guests more than enough places to sit.

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What Type Of Material Will You Use

A ground level deck is meant to be low, which means youll want to consider the type of wood or composite youll use for framing. If the bottom of your deck frame is less than 6″ above the ground or partially buried, you should use pressure-treated wood that is rated for ground contact. This type of wood has a higher level of preservative that guards the wood against rot and decay.

Do you want a step or two to your platform deck? If so, consider how youll attach the steps because if you attach them with stringers, you dont want to bury metal in the ground since it can corrode.

Waterproof The Bottom Of Your Deck Planks

$300 Ground Level backyard DECK

Since this wood is not typical decking-wood, you need this extra step to keep the wood from rotting and decomposing any sooner.

Note that Douglas Fir may not be ideal for other climates, but dry climates should be just fine if you will waterproof the bottom of the wood first. You dont need to waterproof the top, because we are going to stain/seal that side! I used Thompsons Water Seal and a paint roller just make sure to follow the instructions on the container!

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+ Inspiring Ground Level Backyard Decks Ideas

A fire pit can be the centerpiece to a backyard. An outdoor deck is a great way to maximize your homes living space and connect the indoor living area with your backyard.

This Excellent Keyword Is A Really Inspirational And Marvelous Idea Deckideas Patio Deck Designs Building A Floating Deck Decks Backyard

Design A Social Seating Area

Certain seating arrangements lend themselves better to socializing, especially when you need a space that can adapt and provide a few extra seats at a moment’s notice. Our top tip? Add stool seating into your outdoor seating ideas.

Not only are stools easy to store during winter months if you need to, but they can also double up as side tables and don’t eat up valuable deck space when not in use.

Add them into a layout that includes a variety of seating options for the ultimate social space. Choosing separate chairs over one sofa is beneficial when space is tight, as it’s much easy to face and converse with your guests.

In this decking design for an apartment patio in Barcelona, interior designer has created an eclectic seating area with modern outdoor furniture ideas including occasional chairs, a sofa and even a swinging day bed.

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Building A Backyard Wood Deck

It is difficult to know where to begin if you dont have a clue about how to build a deck. Read this helpful tutorial for a start. This instructive article takes you from tearing out the existing patio through all the basics for creating a lovely redwood deck, from pouring the footings to sealing the deck itself.

Even if you have different design ideas regarding the type of deck you want, this will help you understand the basics. After this, you can determine if this is a project that you want to do yourself.

Low Budget Backyard Deck Ideas

A super-tight budget doesnt have to get in the way of your backyard deck dreams!

A lot of the traditional costs associated with building a deck are the result of the extra materials and labor required to build railings, stairs, and a deck cover.

You can save a lot of money simply by building a flat, floating deck, rather than an elevated one with stairs.

Floating decks have lots of advantages. They generally dont require a building permit, are easier to build , and dont require building handrails or stairs. You can also build it off your sliding door or in a separate area of your backyard.

Once youve built your low-budget deck, you can make it your own with affordable features like sun sails, outdoor lighting, trellises, planters, outdoor furniture, a nearby DIY fire pit, and more!

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Create An Outdoor Kitchen On A Deck

Outdoor kitchen ideas have become a bit of a phenomenon in recent years, and no entertaining backyard would be complete without one. A deck is the perfect place to contain an outdoor kitchen, and might even offer you a design solution when it comes to running utilities into your outdoor space without the disruption of digging up the ground.

Consider how you can best optimize a kitchen deck for your outdoor space. A larger expanse of countertop for example will mean you can use it as a serving space for food and drinks, while including a refrigerator means you don’t have to trek back to the house for ice.

You can also follow the same design ideas for the kitchen inside the house too. Outdoor islands can make your outdoor cooking space much more social, and give space for guests to interact with whoever decides to take on grilling duty.

Think About Flow When Designing A Backyard Deck

So much about creating a garden that’s great to entertain in is making it enticing to guests, and this goes way beyond just the design features you’ve installed. You also need to think about how to plan a modern garden in terms of flows, how easy it is to move around in and the views across the space.

One way to use a deck as part of this flow is to make an elevated walkthrough to lead you through the space. ‘A raised deck can act as a corridor or main artery,’ says Ryan Prange. ‘It’s like a pier, it draws you out to a space.’

Stairs also need careful consideration, as their placement will change how a deck flows into the rest of the space. Wide steps that flank your backyard deck can be the most space optimizing way to create a transition between levels.

‘A very wide stair may seem counter initiative for furniture arrangement, but because it offers multiple paths of circulation, it is much more flexible,’ explains Nathan Fell, founder of Nathan Fell Architecture. ‘Wide stairs are often used not just for circulation but are more likely to be areas where people will sit, talk and dwell in place, not just walk through.’

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Angled Deck With Benches

This deck is meant to be a focal point, even if the coloring of the wood is fairly neutral. The outer edge features a few angles, making it a bit unique. Plus, the stone walkway, which stands out from the surrounding landscape, draws the eye.

However, this deck isnt just beautiful its also convenient. Youll find two built-in benches along the outside, creating seating for about eight adults. You could still fit additional chairs and even a table on the surface, making it a great choice for anyone who loves entertaining.

Pile On Outdoor Pillows

DIY Floating Deck | How to build a detached deck | Backyard Ground Level Deck

Tempt friends and family to linger on your deck longer by softening your seating area with pillows. Pretty and durable accent pillows made from fun outdoor fabrics are easy to find in home stores and will stand up to the sun and rain. Or cover your existing pillows with an indoor-outdoor fabric you love for all-weather use. Toss several onto a sofa or bench, mixing in cheery prints and bight hues for pops of color.

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Cool Floating Side Deck Design

If you already have a deck but wish to expand it, a floating deck is a perfect way to do that. However, this type of deck addition is also useful if you simply have a plot of land thats become just a nuisance to deal with and look at. A floating deck is a wonderful way to cover all that up while further improving your backyard. This style is also a nice way to add some flair and style to the area too. You dont even have to make this that big either. This side floating deck can serve as another smaller area to lounge around on, or it can even work out well as a cooking area, housing your grill and anything else you need.

Chic Flower Themed Backyard Deck

Want something chic as well as colorful for your backyard deck? Well, consider this stylish design. The use of a metal bench adds a classic look to the deck, while the gray-toned wood pairs well with the style overall. Meanwhile, the flowers will add that necessary bit of color so that it fits better with the chic theme. Dont forget the bench too as the accessories you use there can blend well with the flowers, creating more brightness to elevate the deck décor.

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Extend Living Space From The House

Not every home has a garden that sits at the same level as the house, but the best version of outdoor living can make the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces almost seamless for when the weather’s right.

A raised deck aligned with the house creates a space that’s easy to spill out into from the house, making it less of an effort to socialize outdoors than climbing steps and traversing across the backyard. And when something’s low effort, it’s much more likely to be used.

This idea has some other benefits too. ‘While an elevated deck typically provides some means of circulation to the rest of the yard, your design should, at the same time, take advantage of the prominent, raised view it provides,’ suggests Nathan Fell, founder of Nathan Fell Architecture .

For this exterior renovation, the deck has become a real extension of the house, with comfortable seating and even a garden TV, making it a space that can be used for more casual entertaining as well as parties.

Floating Deck And Gazebo

Although this floating deck by @casa_direnzo was a simple DIY job, the finished project is a surprisingly sophisticated backyard hideaway!

The deck sits on five large square patio stones, one in each corner and one in the center. The dark-stained deck matched with a steel gazebo offers a cohesive and expensive-looking aesthetic. A hanging chandelier, plants and outdoor textiles make this outdoor living space feel cozy and welcoming.

via @rochellemortstudio/instagram.com

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Amazing Sun Deck Ideas To Inspire Your Own Backyard Getaway

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A sun deck is the ultimate outdoor entertaining space, featuring a terrace or balcony that is positioned to catch the sun. There are plenty of benefits to adding a sun deck to your backyard. No matter the size, it can be refreshing to have a dedicated outdoor living space to relax and soak up some Vitamin D!

These outdoor spaces will provide you with additional space to entertain. A sun deck is perfect for hosting gatherings where your guests can enjoy nature while lounging and spending quality time together. Be sure to incorporate plenty of greenery around your deck to create a peaceful backyard oasis.

Tell Us: Take a look below for some fabulous ideas and dont forget to let us know which one of these ideas most inspired you and why in the Comments below!

1. Rounded Deck. A contemporary deck is connected to a screened porch for the ultimate in entertaining. The Ipe decking features stainless steel pipe rails.

2. Multi-Level Deck. This Montauk house features a multi-level deck design using cedar. A custom spiral staircase was selected in a hue to match the sea below. This helps to conveniently connect the master bedroom to the pool deck. For the deck railings, a stainless steel mesh was used for transparency and for its nautical imagery.

4. Deck With Privacy Screen. This multi-level deck features a wood privacy screen between neighbors. The comfortable outdoor furnishings are perfect for entertaining family and friends.

Single Level Deck Plan

David Papazian / Getty Images

Part one of this free deck plan from Handyman Wire includes a tool and supply list, planning and construction tips, as well as advice on designing and estimating your deck needs. In the second part, you’ll find detailed illustrations and blueprints along with step-by-step instructions to build your new deck. You’ll also have the option of asking questions from the experts on the deck plan in the Handyman Wire’s forums. These decks can be used on all types of terrains.

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Affordable Wood Pallet Back Deck

When building a deck, you dont have to resort to using wood pieces. Instead, wood pallets can handle the job just as well when you want something that is a bit simpler and more affordable. Wood pallets are easy enough to come by as well. A few treatments in, and you can make them look like any other professionally made deck. All that you need afterward is a nice outdoor space rug, some small tables, and comfy chairs to bring it all together. It is a simplistic, yet effective hangout spot that works with any backyard style.