Gardening and Landscaping

Gardening and Landscaping

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Decks

Decks

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Landscape Design

Small Decks Hold Loads of Potential

Small slices of deck leave more room for a garden, a hot tub or a view. See how these small and even tiny decks make the most of their size

Becky Harris June 6, 2012

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected." I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More

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It's time to change our idea of how large a deck needs to be. Some have become so expansive and elaborate that if we can't imagine a complete outdoor kitchen and large parties on it, we can't imagine it's worth building. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a large deck, don't let seeing those intimidate you into thinking you can't squeeze in a small one. If you're working with a limited outdoor space or would prefer to save room for your garden, a pond or other outdoor features, don't give up on including a deck in your design. See if any of these can change your perception of how much space you'll need to add one.

Traditional by Justine Hand

Even if your deck is just a few feet wide, you'll have plenty of room for a few folding bistro chairs, potted plants and a small table.

Beach Style Balcony by Frank Shirley Architects

Frank Shirley Architects

A water view calls out for an outdoor perch. No matter what the size, you'll enjoy not only the view but also the sounds and coastal breezes from a deck or balcony.

Landscape by The Taunton Press, Inc

The Taunton Press, Inc

A small deck is the ultimate spot for enjoying coffee, the paper and the view.

Traditional Landscape by The Taunton Press, Inc

The Taunton Press, Inc

Instead of stairs that go straight down to a patio or garden, a small deck provides a transitional space between a house's architecture and the yard. Leave enough room for an Adirondack chair or two so that you can lounge a few feet above the rest of the yard and enjoy the view.

Midcentury Patio by Patricia B. Warren, AIA Warren Architecture, LLC

Patricia B. Warren, AIA Warren Architecture, LLC

A small deck not only provides a transition between the architecture and the yard or patio, but it allows for amphitheater-style seating.

Modern Exterior by Koch Architects

Koch Architects

Built-in benches keep a small deck from looking cluttered while providing plenty of seats for enjoying the outdoors.

Modern Exterior by Ron Yeo, FAIA Architect

Ron Yeo, FAIA Architect

Keeping the deck small means you can make the most of the rest of a small yard by adding a pond or a water garden.

Traditional Landscape by Aquascape

A deck built for two a few feet above a pond gives a more expansive view.

Contemporary Landscape by Rossington Architecture

Rossington Architecture

A troughlike fountain takes advantage of the grade change of this deck-patio hybrid. The height means that the water has about 18 to 24 inches to fall and soothe with its splash. Keeping the deck small means there's room to give the koi pond beneath the appropriate scale.

Asian Landscape by Garden Architecture

Garden Architecture

If you prefer water you can take a dip in, a small deck leaves room for a hot tub. Keeping things geometric and simple in style and materials lends a Japanese garden feel.

Traditional Shed by Glenna Partridge Garden Design

Glenna Partridge Garden Design

A small deck lends a stronger presence to an outbuilding, making it an important part of a yard's design.

Tropical Landscape by Secret Gardens

Let tropical foliage come right up to your small deck's edges. Squares composed of deck planks continue the transition from this space into the rest of the lush garden.

More:
Harvest the Beauty of a Patio Garden
11 Inspirational Small Porches
Contractor Tips: Build a Top-Notch Deck

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Comments (9)

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faddiskj

I guess I have a small deck too. I'd started calling it a "porch" because I didn't think it qualified as a real deck! It was built in stages because when the builders built the house they tacked on a funny little set of wooden steps out of a sliding glass door off the dining area. (I've never figured out "why" anyone would build a nice home then put such awful steps out the back.) Anyway, we decided to make a better porch, and then we asked a friend to make it a bit larger two we could put outdoor furniture on it... It never did get very big because we already had a large patio that we didn't want to cover up. BUT, it's really comfortable, shaded at almost all times of day and whether a deck or a porch I love it and it gets lots of use.

1 Like June 22, 2014 at 10:36PM

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Tracie Weeden

Small desk and seating

Like October 22, 2014 at 7:58PM

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Sue Martson

While I love the creativity of people with small decks, I am stuck with a difficult HOA and management company. The old railing is loose and I am prohibited from replacing it. Until the sucker falls completely off, I am treating the deck as a 5x14 window box. Filling it with Boxwood, flowering pots and anything else that covers it up! Hoping the whole thing falls off soon!

2 Likes December 5, 2014 at 4:42AM

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