Decking Ideas

Now Easter has been and gone, the weather is warming up and it's time to look to the summer.

What could be nicer than sitting on your garden decking on a warm evening enjoying a  beer or glass of wine, listening to the birds sing with a background of flowers in tubs and hanging baskets?

There are lots of ways to make your deck inviting and different, and here are a few off-the-wall ideas that may appeal:

• Set lights into the decking base to provide uplighters or gentle ambient lighting. Looks amazing at night and won't annoy the neighbours!
• Scour garden centres or reclaimation sites to find unusual stone columns or statues. Bold pieces can add atmosphere and individuality to your space.
• If your decking is in a windy spot, create a windbreak by erecting a trellis with a beautiful climbing plant, or built a small open-sided shelter so you can keep snug.
• Use plenty of pots of different sizes to create a bank of flowers along one or two sides of your deck. Shrubs look good as a backing to summer flowering plants like double petunias, small roses and snap dragons.
• Hanging baskets filled with trailing flowers will make a wonderful show. Hang along your house wall or if you have a pergola, hang from the horizontal beams.
• You'll probably have a patio or bistro set on your deck, but consider adding a permanent seat made from left-over decking or perhaps a railway sleeper. Scatter cushions add colour and comfort.
• Lanterns and unusual lights or enclosed candles look amazing scattered around your deck.

 
Use your imagination and turn your deck into a special place to enjoy.