Landscape Design
10 Decks With Unexpected Features
These standout decks go beyond the basics with creative design details such as a sunken hot tub, fire pits and a slide
Even the smallest deck gives you a chance to enjoy being outside. But if you want to take your deck to the next level, consider incorporating a standout element that makes you stop and take a second look at the deck itself. It can be as simple as a unique decking pattern or as elaborate as multiple levels with numerous spots for entertaining. Read on to discover how architects and designers added unique details to the decks they designed to create both functionality and flair.
2. Floating Walkway
What makes this urban deck in London’s Clapton neighborhood unusual is the approach over water. A boardwalk leads you across a garden pond, where you can glance down to admire the fish, to the dining deck. The design team at Viriditus Studios filled the remaining space with a blend of wildlife- and pollinator-friendly plants and oversize boulders. Those traversing the space can unwind and enjoy the lush plantings and nature-inspired look, leaving day-to-day life back at the house.
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Patio vs. Deck: Which Outdoor Structure Is Right for You?
What makes this urban deck in London’s Clapton neighborhood unusual is the approach over water. A boardwalk leads you across a garden pond, where you can glance down to admire the fish, to the dining deck. The design team at Viriditus Studios filled the remaining space with a blend of wildlife- and pollinator-friendly plants and oversize boulders. Those traversing the space can unwind and enjoy the lush plantings and nature-inspired look, leaving day-to-day life back at the house.
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Patio vs. Deck: Which Outdoor Structure Is Right for You?
3. Relaxing Desert Landscape
The designers at Studio Collab tucked a sunken hot tub into the end of a red oak deck at this Indio, California, home. It’s a relaxing spot for taking in the expansive Southwest desert landscape. A simple fence along one side of the deck provides some privacy without dominating the space.
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The designers at Studio Collab tucked a sunken hot tub into the end of a red oak deck at this Indio, California, home. It’s a relaxing spot for taking in the expansive Southwest desert landscape. A simple fence along one side of the deck provides some privacy without dominating the space.
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See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
4. A River Runs Through It
While most decks look outward from the home, this deck in a one-of-a-kind home in Sydney, Australia, looks inward. CplusC Architects + Builders set it within the home’s footprint, overlooking a rainforest-inspired stream that runs along one side of the living area. The deck is just big enough for two loungers, providing an invitation to enjoy the tranquil view. The slanting sides of the home and the patchwork overhead structure provide some shade but still allow in plenty of sunshine.
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While most decks look outward from the home, this deck in a one-of-a-kind home in Sydney, Australia, looks inward. CplusC Architects + Builders set it within the home’s footprint, overlooking a rainforest-inspired stream that runs along one side of the living area. The deck is just big enough for two loungers, providing an invitation to enjoy the tranquil view. The slanting sides of the home and the patchwork overhead structure provide some shade but still allow in plenty of sunshine.
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5. Modern Meets Organic, With a Sunken Lounge
An oversize deck in Bogota, Colombia, is a surprisingly seamless blend of contemporary style and natural elements. The sleek wood deck with its glossy finish shines. The designers at Schaller Design Lab also added a partially covered roof with linear LED lights for a contemporary look; it provides shade without shutting out the light. To balance the modern feel with touches of nature, they incorporated trees within the deck and plenty of greenery along the edges.
An oversize deck in Bogota, Colombia, is a surprisingly seamless blend of contemporary style and natural elements. The sleek wood deck with its glossy finish shines. The designers at Schaller Design Lab also added a partially covered roof with linear LED lights for a contemporary look; it provides shade without shutting out the light. To balance the modern feel with touches of nature, they incorporated trees within the deck and plenty of greenery along the edges.
Just beyond the main seating area, a sunken fire pit lounge framed on one side by a living wall invites people to gather. Lights under the benches and on the risers provide enough illumination to navigate the space safely. They’re also a nod to the built-in LED lighting in the main space.
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6. Meandering Path
What makes this deck on an Italian rooftop stand out is the curvature of the surrounding raised planting beds. Instead of opting for straight planters running along the walls, architect Alessandra Parolini installed planters with large triangular nooks on either side of the deck pathway. Combined with the plantings, they create the feeling of soft curves.
The extra planting space also allows room for multiple trees, including an olive tree, as well as shrubs and lush trailing foliage plants. What’s lost in deck floor space is made up for in the overall intrigue of the deck design; one feels drawn to explore the rest of the rooftop terrace.
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What makes this deck on an Italian rooftop stand out is the curvature of the surrounding raised planting beds. Instead of opting for straight planters running along the walls, architect Alessandra Parolini installed planters with large triangular nooks on either side of the deck pathway. Combined with the plantings, they create the feeling of soft curves.
The extra planting space also allows room for multiple trees, including an olive tree, as well as shrubs and lush trailing foliage plants. What’s lost in deck floor space is made up for in the overall intrigue of the deck design; one feels drawn to explore the rest of the rooftop terrace.
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7. Wine Country Perch
Concrete pavers and a water feature mark the entrance to this cantilevered deck, which practically floats over a sloped vineyard in Napa, California. The team at Total Concepts worked with architects at Surround Architecture to create a space that’s comfortable and protected, with plenty of room. A solid roof over the dining area enables the homeowners to grill and dine no matter what the weather. An open-beam structure overhead defines the seating area and provides dappled sunlight. The finishing touch is the widely spaced vertical slats that mark the end wall of the floating deck design.
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Concrete pavers and a water feature mark the entrance to this cantilevered deck, which practically floats over a sloped vineyard in Napa, California. The team at Total Concepts worked with architects at Surround Architecture to create a space that’s comfortable and protected, with plenty of room. A solid roof over the dining area enables the homeowners to grill and dine no matter what the weather. An open-beam structure overhead defines the seating area and provides dappled sunlight. The finishing touch is the widely spaced vertical slats that mark the end wall of the floating deck design.
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8. Celebrating Nature
A large multibranch tree is the star of this San Diego, California, deck. Designer Kristin Hallie worked with Design Studio West to wrap a large island around the tree, drawing your eye to the space the minute you step outside. The tree also provides a leafy overhead canopy and is a natural divider between the fire pit conversation area and the dining space.
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11 Ways to Refresh Your Deck
A large multibranch tree is the star of this San Diego, California, deck. Designer Kristin Hallie worked with Design Studio West to wrap a large island around the tree, drawing your eye to the space the minute you step outside. The tree also provides a leafy overhead canopy and is a natural divider between the fire pit conversation area and the dining space.
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11 Ways to Refresh Your Deck
9. Paris Terrace
Just outside Paris, a home’s simple but classic deck has an unexpected twist, thanks to the shaded garden room that sits at one end. The ceiling provides weather protection throughout the year, while the open sides let in the sunshine and breezes. Place des Fleurs - Paysagisme & Jardinage lined the rest of the garden room with vertical boards that match the floorboards of the deck. They are carefully spaced to provide definition without making the space feel too closed off from the rest of the deck.
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Just outside Paris, a home’s simple but classic deck has an unexpected twist, thanks to the shaded garden room that sits at one end. The ceiling provides weather protection throughout the year, while the open sides let in the sunshine and breezes. Place des Fleurs - Paysagisme & Jardinage lined the rest of the garden room with vertical boards that match the floorboards of the deck. They are carefully spaced to provide definition without making the space feel too closed off from the rest of the deck.
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10. Infinite Views
The elevated deck off this home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, lets nature take center stage. The designers at House of Nomad embraced a minimalist look that highlights the marsh views and the trees that frame the space, including one that grows through the deck. Sleek cable railings provide safety without obscuring the view. And for an unexpected feature: Most of one edge of the deck is lined with an infinity pool, which is an ideal spot for a cooling dip.
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Your turn: What feature would you like to include in your deck to make it more functional or fun? Tell us in the Comments.
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Browse thousands of deck photos
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The elevated deck off this home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, lets nature take center stage. The designers at House of Nomad embraced a minimalist look that highlights the marsh views and the trees that frame the space, including one that grows through the deck. Sleek cable railings provide safety without obscuring the view. And for an unexpected feature: Most of one edge of the deck is lined with an infinity pool, which is an ideal spot for a cooling dip.
See more of this project
Your turn: What feature would you like to include in your deck to make it more functional or fun? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of deck photos
Find a local deck and patio specialist
Shop for outdoor products
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You can take the stairs, but sliding down to the lower deck and hot tub is much more fun for both children and adults. The custom slide at a Portland, Oregon, home is the brainchild of the architects and designers at Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio, who say that it is a delight for everyone who comes to the home.
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Find a local deck and patio specialist