DIY Deck Upgrades: Outdoor Living at its Best

With summer in full swing, it’s time to spend more time outside. Deck life is the good life, especially when you add special touches that make your space more inviting and comfortable. It’s also a great way to add value to your home. The best news is: You can do it yourself!

These DIY ideas don’t take much time and can transform your deck.

Create more living space

If you’ve ever wanted to extend your outdoor living space, consider adding an under-deck ceiling. To begin, you’ll want to be sure to install a deck drainage system to pull away the water that comes through your decking. Trex® RainEscape® offers a perfect solution and you can even install it yourself.

Use the easy-to-follow instructions that come with the Trex RainEscape system. A pair of scissors, utility knife, staple gun, and caulking gun are all you need to install the system in one or two hours on most decks. For more information, visit this installation page and view these installation videos on YouTube.

Once you’ve created a dry space, you can install a beautiful ceiling that allows you to also add a host of other design features such as fans, an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub, entertainment system or lights.

Light it up!

Speaking of lights … that’s a great way to make your deck safer and more attractive. Thankfully,  you don’t have to be an electrician to set the mood.

Easy to add to a new or existing deck, Trex Deck Lighting is built with the Trex LightHub® connection system that requires no wiring or electrical skills. Just plug in and enjoy. You may be one YouTube video away from a beautifully lit deck.

If you’re not ready for a full system, consider adding string lights overhead. Party lights come in all varieties from classic vintage Edison bulbs to fun, colorful globe lights. Be sure to consider how you’ll fasten the lights to posts or ceilings and how many feet of string lights you’ll need.

Build something beautiful

Another simple DIY project that will help you add beauty and utility to your deck are planter boxes. In an afternoon, you can construct something attractive and functional that allows you to garden right outside your back door.

Family Handyman offers several designs you can build in a day or less. Be sure to provide good drainage in the planter by filling with rocks and drilling holes in the bottom. Waterproof any wood used in the planter to prevent damage over time. Be sure not to set the planter flat on your decking boards without proper drainage.

Fill your planter boxes with vegetables that will look lush all season and offer healthy options for your table. Tomatoes, peppers and beans all grow well in planters, but be sure to cage or stake up your growing veggies. Herbs also grow well in planters, especially parsley and oregano.

If you’d rather just go for beauty, create planter boxes for flowers. Create a mix of colors and textures for a dramatic display. Start with a tall plant, then add a broadleaf and something trailing like ivy to plant like a pro. Southern Living offers hundreds of ideas on container gardening. Go crazy!

The bottom line is you can do it. DIY your way to your dream outdoor living space!