Practical Deck Furniture Layout Ideas

With the weather warming up and longer daylight hours, most people will spend much more time on their decks, patios, or outdoor spaces. So what are some furniture and decorating ideas that will enhance your outdoor space? Well, we have some thoughts! (And awesome design ideas.)

How To Determine the Best Furniture Layout

You want to make the most out of your porch, patio, or deck. Have a fun and practical outdoor living space for yourself, and a stylish and functional deck or patio for entertaining. Not to worry, our suggestions will give you just that – a great entertainment set up and a relaxing cove for you and your family. Plus, plenty of outdoor furniture styles to capture the ambiance you seek.

Deck Furniture Layout Ideas for Large Decks

If you have a deck or patio with some space, that’s great! You can divide it up, section it off with an outdoor kitchen and dining area, and then have a separate seating area. Merely having an outdoor dining table or even a smaller bistro set will give you a place to work or craft as well as eat.

Outdoor Kitchen and Outdoor Dining

Shall we start with eating and entertaining? That seems like a good place to begin. Bring your dining area outside with an outdoor dining set. Throw in a side table or two for extra food, condiments, or drink pitcher placement.

As for an outdoor kitchen, depending on your space and budget, you can install cabinetry, a stove, a sink, a refrigerator, and almost anything that you might find in an indoor kitchen. At the very least, a small refrigerator is a large convenience. So spend some time outside relaxing by the poolside.

Section with a Sectional

What’s that? Usually, you can move around a long L-shaped couch to fit your seating needs. They’re perfect for those who want to relax and watch TV or listen to music, those who wish to study, or lay out in the sun (or shade). A couple of end tables can punctuate the outdoor sofa, making it a living room of sorts. Then use an outdoor coffee table for your refreshments or laptop reading material.

Lazy and Lovely Lounging

Maybe you want to set up your deck (big, medium, or small) to capture the lazy days of summer (or any season, really)! A chaise lounge and a table or two with a few throw pillows will definitely do the trick. We listed this here because chaise lounges tend to be larger than most furniture pieces, but they have many uses, and they add style and panache to your patio – or deck.

Deck Furniture Layout Ideas for Medium-Sized Decks

Most people have decks, patios, and even some porches which fall into this category – a decent size, not too big or small. There are quite a few original ideas that you can utilize when picking your patio furniture or deck furniture styles.

A Fire Pit and an Adjacent Seating Area

We like this one! Your fire pit doesn’t have to be very large, as it can either be a DIY fire pit or a chiminea. Incorporate a loveseat and a chair or two if there is enough space. This setup is great for those quiet romantic evenings. The chiminea is a beautiful focal point, as well.

Mountain-y Makeover

Your deck or patio furniture layout can have a theme. For example, you could do a beach theme with umbrellas, colorful beach towels, and throw pillows. Or you could do a tribute to the mountains, whether you live near them or not. Adirondack chairs are a gorgeous choice, along with an outdoor rug and possibly a few well-placed plants.

Bistro Set

Use this idea in some smaller spaces. For example, a bistro or pub table is a wonderful idea, especially if you like to study, work, or read outdoors. Add a couple of lounge chairs next to it and a colorful area rug to make this outdoor oasis pop.

One nice thing about pub tables or bistro sets is that they don’t take up much space, are ideal for keeping food out of the way of pets, and look stylish in almost any setting.

Deck Furniture Layout Ideas for Small Decks

We have talked about large and medium decks (and patios) and furniture layout suggestions. Let’s get to the smaller areas. So you’ve got a small patio, front porch, or small deck with limited space? That’s not necessarily a bad thing! Those smaller spaces can be made quite practical and can look really amazing with just the right touch.

Pergola and Greenery

If you have a smaller outdoor area, you may not have horizontal space, but what about vertical space? Install a pergola, which also gives shade and privacy. Adding in some plants, as well as string lights, will help create an attractive outdoor space.

Some pieces of furniture, like a pair of outdoor chairs and a small table, will set you up for a relaxing day or night on your patio, porch, or deck.

Functional Storage

So maybe you’re not into using your deck or outdoor area too much. However, you have some outdoor equipment – like a bike or kayak – that you want to store. Hooks, shelving, and built-in cubbies will help keep you organized.

If you’re into gardening, make your small patio into a gardening haven: store pots, soil, and tools. In fact, most any craft could be stored in your small space.

Small Space Sanctuary

Having a small deck or outdoor area does not mean you should skimp on your enjoyment. Put out a comfortable chair, a radio, and a few plants so you can relax outside. Breathe in the crisp air and soak up the sun‘s rays while reading your favorite book. Or you can listen to the game or take in the sights and sounds of nature.

As you can see, there are many transformative ideas you can combine to make your deck function as a separate and unique living area. Moreover, you don’t need a degree in interior design to do so! All it takes is a few enterprising ideas, some stylin’ outdoor furniture – and a creative eye.

We like setting up a theme for your porch, patio, or deck. It makes it fun and inviting. As we stated before, themes truly can set the mood. Beach, mountain, fishing, or luau décor works well. Select an idea and let that be your guide for your furniture arrangement. It makes outdoor entertaining that much more enjoyable, and your guests will flock to your outside seating area.

Whatever you decide to do with your outdoor living space will help you appreciate being outside even more. It definitely is convenient having a patio or deck. So whether you decide to store your favorite sporting equipment, watch sports, dine, or bask in your outdoor living area, a little time away from the indoors will bring you a fresh perspective.