Category: Decking Accessories

Embracing Your Outdoor Space – Small Deck Ideas

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Are you challenged by a lack of space in your back garden? Bigger isn’t always better – and we have a whole bunch of small deck ideas to prove it! Ready to take your cluttered backyard to cosy? Read on to find out more!

Create the Illusion of Space

Making the most of your small deck begins with applying the well-known rules of decoration! Like with small indoor rooms, use a lighter wood for the floors and walls. Painting your decking a brighter colour will help to reflect light, creating the illusion of a brighter and spacious area.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling crafty, paint each board of your decking a different colour in lines to create elongating stripes. Not sold on the idea on the idea of painting each board? Make your decking area instantly bigger by hanging a mirror.

Make a Statement

Draw eyes into your deck with a statement piece of furniture. From bright throws and pillows, through to statement rattan sets and Perspex tables, styling your small deck into a Pinterest-worthy space will help to take away from a claustrophobic feel. Think cosy, instead of cramped and create a haven of cushions, crochet and centrepiece candles.

Vertical Impact

Challenged for space horizontally? Think outside the box and use a fence lattice to grow plants and flowers upwards on your decking. Not confident your green thumb will stretch to those height? Make your very own garden using only plant pots – a collection of brightly coloured flowers and shrubs are ideal for sprucing up a dull deck.

Light Up

Much like painting decking a light colour, installing deck lights can help to create the illusion of space. String up some outdoor fairy lights, or dress your deck to impress by installing decking floor lights.

Small Deck Ideas – Building Your Dream Deck

Have our small deck ideas given you the appetite to get cracking on your next project? A great deck shouldn’t break the bank! Snap up a bargain at eDecks now!

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Garden Deck This Summer

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garden deck

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of your outdoor oasis. Step away from the TV box sets and embrace the surprisingly glorious British summertime. There’s nothing better in summer than enjoying some quality time on your garden deck. Read on to discover five tips for getting the most out of your garden deck over the next few months.

Host a Summer Drinks Party

Admittedly, there’s a lack of opportunity to socialise outside in the UK. So when opportunity does come knocking, you have to take full advantage. Invite your family and friends to admire your garden and soak up the sunshine whilst cracking open a bottle of wine. Decking lights are a great way to ensure you can party until dusk, whilst showcasing your garden in the best light!

Unleash Your Green Fingers

You may not be the next Alan Titchmarsh but gardening can be a great activity for all the family. Summer is a great time to dig out those gardening gloves and have a go. Why not plant some blooms on and around your deck to add a splash of colour? The Rosa Planter would add a lovely touch to your decking this summer.

Get the Family Together for a BBQ

Summer is the perfect excuse to get the family together for a good old fashioned BBQ. After all, nothing beats the taste of burgers and sausages cooked outside! Some garden furniture is a great investment for your decking, lasting for years of family fun! The Ledbury 9 Piece Rattan Cube set looks great on a garden deck and is perfect for all the family.

Catch Some Rays on Your Garden Deck

Your garden deck is the perfect place to relax and work on your summer tan. Grab your sunglasses, a good book and an ice cream and enjoy the tranquillity of your own back garden. If the heat gets too much a parasol is a great option for enjoying the fresh air whilst keeping cool. The Genoa Cantilever Parasol looks great and is produced using weather resistant materials so you can leave it out all year.

Some Evening Stargazing

We’ve all seen these romantic scenarios on TV where people spend the evening cuddling under the stars. Who’s to say you can’t do it too? Your decking makes the perfect setting for a spot of evening stargazing from the comfort of your own garden. Switch on the decking lights, bring out your favourite cosy blankets, light some candles and play your favourite tunes -the perfect evening spent with friends or that special someone!

Are you itching to get planning your summer of outdoor fun? Pop over to eDecks now for all your DIY essentials to take your garden deck to the next level.

Great Outdoor Deck Ideas – The Summer Makeover!

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outdoor deck ideas

Barbeque season is almost upon us – which means less time binge-watching the latest show on Netflix and more time in the garden soaking up the glorious rays of sunshine! Returning to your deck after a break can be less than inspiring – especially if your decking hasn’t had an update in quite some time.

If this sounds familiar, then a summer makeover is definitely in order. Read on to explore some great outdoor deck ideas to take your garden space to the next level!

Spruce Up with a Stain

Is your decking looking a bit sorry for itself? A little worse for wear? Regardless of the type of wooden material your deck is made out of, the natural process of wear and tear can leave things looking a bit drab.

One of the quickest ways to revitalise your deck is to apply a decking stain! Remember, before going gung-ho and jumping straight into it, try a range of samples and find out what’s the most complimentary to the overall household exterior.

Remember, if you’re looking to add to some brand new pressure-treated decking, leaving the staining process for a few months. This will give the wood time to bed in and dry out properly, providing the best “canvas” possible for you to paint on!

Feeling anxious about staining your deck yourself? Check out our guide on how to apply decking stain like a pro!

Light Up

Do you plan to use your outdoor decking this summer for entertaining? Shine a little light on the situation and install some decking lights to take the party well into the night!

Take it up a notch and instead of settling for plain old outdoor fairy lights, trying fitting a more substantial solution such as wall lights. Feeling adventurous? Try laying down composite decking tiles with LED lights built in for maximum impact.

Create an Oasis

There’s nothing worse than a sparsely decorated deck. A common mistake to make is to furnish your outdoor space with a sun lounger or two and call it a day. Treat your outdoor decking as another “room” to your house and invest in big, bold potted plants to create a suburban oasis.

Tight on space? Why not try out a wall climbing plant? Installing a little trellis fencing can be discreet and blend into the overall look of the deck, whilst providing a frame for your wall-climbers to grow from.

From Rotten to Rattan!

Is your outdoor deck looking a bit too 80’s? It may be time to bite the bullet and accessorise your deck with a new Rattan furniture set. Choosing a classically-styled set such as the Ledbury 9 piece cube set can act as the perfect foundation to build upon over the years.

Once you’ve invested in your garden furniture staples, simply switch things up by adding new cushions and throws to stay on trend.

 

Putting your Outdoor Deck Ideas into Motion!

Are your creative juices flowing? Ready to put your outdoor deck ideas into motion? Head on over to eDecks now to begin compiling your supplies for your summer makeover now!

How to Apply a Decking Stain like a Pro

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decking stain

Is your decking looking a little tired? Applying a fresh coat of a decking stain can breathe life into old boards – and is much more cost effective than replacing your deck altogether. But for any newcomer to DIY, with so much room for error, applying a decking stain can feel like a daunting task.

Do not fear – we are here to share our top tips on how to apply a decking stain like a pro!

Sample Your Stain

Getting the right finish and feel for your deck begins with choosing the correct stain. Consider your surrounding décor and choose a colour that compliments your household exterior well. For instance, if your home is built up on a red brick theme, contrast your deck with a blue hue.

Another top tip is to consider the wood of your deck. Each wood will have its own hue – stick to the natural tones to bring out the underlying colour, or alternatively opt for an opaque stain to negate the undertones.

Once you’ve selected a few stains you think fit the bill, gather some samples to try out on an inconspicuous part of your decking. How your stain appears on the tin may be very different to how it dries on your own boards.

Scrub Up

The key to getting the best out of your decking stain project is to prepare your canvas. If your deck has been subject to a build-up of old stains, use of a deck stripper will be necessary to create an even and smooth foundation.

For decks that have simply weathered with age, a good scrub is required to remove any mould, mildew and dirt.  A pressure washer can be effective in helping to quickly remove any build up, but be sure to leave the deck to dry through completely before cracking out your new stain.

Not All Stains are Made Equal

After all the hard work of scrubbing up and sampling your new stain, it can be tempting just to grab a paintbrush and get stuck into revamping your decking, but before you do so, be sure to study the accompanying instructions that come with your decking stain.

Depending on the brand or type of decking stain you choose, application may vary – some stains may require several applications, or other types may only be compatible to a softwood deck.

It’s far less of a headache to check through the instructions of your decking stain than it is to repeat the stripping and cleaning process all over again!

Add a Little Elbow Grease

For those that are time-strapped, a garden sprayer or roller are both popular tools to use to apply a stain quickly. However, due to the porous nature of wooden decking, this isn’t always the most effective application, so using some good ole’ elbow grease and a paintbrush will help to work your stain into the grooves of the wood.

A combination of all three tools is absolutely fine, as long as your boards are given the once over afterwards with a paintbrush.

A cautionary tip: when applying your stain, repeat the mantra “less is more.” Applying too much stain to wooden decking can result in some very unsightly peeling once dry.

If your decking is struggling to absorb your stain, then consider using a lighter hand.

Top Tips for Applying Decking Stain

What are your top tips for applying decking stain? Do you have a preferred set of tools for the job? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

5 Top Tips for Building a Wooden Deck

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building a wooden deck

Building a wooden deck is an ambitious project for even the most avid DIY fan. However, knowledge is power and armed with the right tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to crafting up your very own deck.

Ready to take the plunge? Here are our 5 top tips for building a wooden deck

 

Consider Your Decking Materials

Building a wooden deck is a great way to encourage more time spent in the garden. But, depending on the materials you pick, this could mean much longer than you really want due to maintenance and up keep.

If time is a major factor for you, then look to a hybrid material such as composite decking. Composite decking is partially made of plastic, meaning it will last out against the elements, but retain all the beauty of wooden decking for many years.

Similar to composite decking, hardwood decking is growing in popularity due to its long lifespan and aesthetic appearance. Hardwood decking does tend to be more expensive, but there’s always an absolute bargain suited to your budget waiting to be snapped up at eDecks!

 

Level Up

Struggling to make things fit in your garden? Think you’re limited to decking options because your backyard is on a slope? Think again. Adding a level or two is a great way to make the most of your available garden space and helps to break up long unsightly staircases.

Building a wooden deck on a slope has its challenges, so be sure to swot up on best practice and safety guidelines before tackling your next big project.

 

Style Up with Rails

For some decking, railings may be a mandatory safety requirement, but for others who don’t have this limitation, railings can also help to decorate your deck. Even if your decking is made of wood, alternative materials such as metal, glass or even cabling can be used to spruce up your decking.

Looking to add interest beyond a standard set? Why not use lattice to add interest make your decking rails a feature point?

 

Customise Your Colours

When designing your own deck, taking into account the look of your house and garden is key. Often when building a wooden deck, it can be too easy to get caught up in the final decorative touches, but don’t forget to stop and take stock of your core materials. Will your wooden decking boards match up with the rest of your theme?

Anxious they won’t match? Don’t worry – that’s what decking stains were made for! If you’re not sure which shade of wooden decking to opt for, pick the lighter of the options. This way, you can always adjust the colour of the wood gradually – and it’s always easier to go from light to dark than the other way about.

 

Let Your Deck Bloom

Want to hide unsightly screw-heads? Perhaps you’ve used a few reject decking boards that stick out a little too much compared to the rest of your deck? Accessorising your deck with leafy plants and flowers is a great way to inject personality whilst hiding any minor nicks or flaws created in the process of building a wooden deck.

 

Building a Wooden Deck – eDecks

Ready to get cracking on your next project and begin building a wooden deck? Head on over to see the decking on offer at eDecks now! Not sure where to begin or even what materials you’ll need? Don’t worry – our super helpful sales team are on hand to help you design your project – just give them a call on 0844 474 4444.

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