Deck Furniture Ideas to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Enhance Your Outdoor Space with Inspiring Deck Furniture Ideas

Notice you’ve been spending a bit more time outside lately? That’s a good thing – you want to exercise, soak up the sun’s rays (and get vitamin D) – and yes, the best part is having fun with outdoor living. Enhance your outdoor oasis with stylish yet comfortable furnishings. We’ve broken it down by deck size so you can unleash your creativity to best suit your deck or patio makeover!

Furniture Ideas for Small Decks

Your outdoor space may be on the modest side, but we have a few ideas that could prove fun and useful, and save some space too!

Bistro Break

Like to eat outside? You can take in nature while you’re eating a snack or meal. Get a small pub or bistro table set for the outside. They work perfectly in a corner of a small deck. Add a few plants or a trendy umbrella for shelter and privacy while dining outdoors.

Time for Tea

Similar to setting up a bistro table, consider a tea cart. A drink cart with wheels can provide a great way to serve iced tea, juices, or your favorite adult beverages. Don’t forget to sneak a few snacks into the cart when you wheel it out.

Simply Storage

Another idea for a small space is to use it for storage. You’d be surprised by how many things you can fit in a small patio or deck. Intelligently placed shelving and hooks can hold a lot of your gardening, landscaping, entertainment, or sporting supplies.

Gardening Guru

Speaking of plants and gardening, adorn your outdoor space with some flower and fruit or vegetable-bearing plants. Shrubbery, which can grace your patio, deck, or front porch, is always welcoming and inviting. Add in some string lights for an illuminated ambiance.  

A Chiminea Choice

A chiminea, a small enclosed chimney, is a hot (pardon our pun) option to purchase for warmth and to enliven your deck’s mood. There are many styles from which to choose, and this little chimney will surely keep you toasty during those cooler months.

Lounge Around

One of our favorite ways to use furniture is to lounge on it! A couple of lounge chairs, Adirondack chairs, and a small side table might be the way to go. A pop of color with a few throw pillows and an area rug will do wonders.

Furniture Ideas for Large Decks

Having a large deck or patio space gives us a variety of options. You can readily section it off and have several activities going on simultaneously. Here are a few suggestions to take your deck or patio design to the next level.

Outdoor Kitchen

Let’s start with an Epicurean idea! Build an outdoor kitchen if you have the deck space and the drive. Plan a dining area, a food prep station, and get busy with friends, family, and neighbors. We love this idea because it makes outside cooking so convenient. It also upgrades your outdoor paradise.

Dining and Dancing

You may like to eat outside and enjoy the atmosphere but don’t necessarily want a kitchen. Construct a dining room of sorts. A dining table and a few select pieces of patio or outdoor furniture will make it a memorable (and delicious) outdoor living space. Remember to position your outdoor sofa or chairs so you can easily move them if you want to exercise or dance before a meal.

Entertainment Galore

Hook up the television, speakers, and computer! Let’s bring some gadgets out so we can do a little work and a lot of entertainment watching – or listening. Bring your favorite music and movies to the outdoors to make your patio or deck furniture design sync with your most liked leisurely hobby. A few comfortable pieces of furniture, and you have a DIY outdoor living room.

Recreation and Relaxation

Yes, you can certainly have both at once. Section off your deck or patio so you have a “sports” area – perhaps for volleyball or to hang out poolside. The other part will be relaxing, reading, and potentially sunning. It’s relatively easy to do with a larger-sized deck. Additionally, a multipurpose deck or patio can bring the family together while still partaking in separate activities.

Lively Libations

An outdoor bar is always a sure thing! Yet you don’t necessarily have to have the bar counter and barstools. An outside furniture set, a coffee table, or a creative tabletop will do. A cocktail cart is essential for preparing and mixing drinks. Incorporate a chaise lounge, a patio sofa, and possibly an outdoor rug to tie it together.

Mix ‘n Match

This is one of the best furniture design ideas. Do you like aspects of all of them but don’t want to commit to just one concept? Set up an outdoor sectional, fireplace, dining area, and whatever else you like. You can then create your perfect paradise. Bring your interior design chops to the outside!

Furniture Ideas for Medium-Sized Decks

Most of us have decks that are medium-sized. Some homeowners who have a smaller-sized deck might also have a patio. We have some ideas that will appeal, no matter what backyard activity you like!

Hanging Out In a Hammock

Although you could do this with any size deck, placing a hammock – either freestanding or tied between two supports – is the epitome of relaxation. There’s nothing like taking a little catnap or listening to tunes while “hammocking” it up!

Fire Pit Fun

Build a fire pit if you have a deck adjacent to an outdoor patio. Fire pits provide heat, light, and a way to roast marshmallows for a s’mores night. Let the fire pit be the focal point of your patio, and get a sturdy deck furniture set.

Pergola Possibility

A pergola is a structure that is usually made of wood. It will give you shade, especially when combined with a retractable canopy. You can train vines to grow along the pergola, thus making your deck or patio area lush with greenery. Not only is that eye-catching, but great for enhancing air quality.

Centered Coffee Table

We’ve mentioned coffee tables before but wanted to expound on placing an outdoor one on your patio, porch, or deck area. This furniture idea is always a hospitable option – as many good conversations are had around a coffee table. Plus, it’s pretty useful for laptops, books, and food!

Outdoor Dining with a Barbecue or Smoker

Another of our favorite design ideas is utilizing your deck or patio as a grilling area. This way, everybody has a tasty meal, and it’s an alternative to hanging out in the kitchen. Appreciate nature and have a burger, chicken, or hot dog while visiting with your guests. What’s not to like? A fun décor idea is to make an outdoorsy or culinary theme, such as a Tiki Bar or Vintage Farm concept.  

Considerations for Choosing the Right Deck Furniture

Whether you have a small, large, or medium deck, there are many ways to set up your furniture. Decide if you want to go more traditional or contemporary in your style. Repurposed material is a terrific option since you would be giving life to an otherwise discarded item. Unique furnishings, such as side tables from wooden crates or birdcage-type chairs made from bamboo, are also fashionable and look great. Plenty of comfortable throw pillows are a must.

As always, sustainable, recycled furniture is a smart choice since it is good for the environment and can complement your decking material. You can even get the furniture to match your deck’s surface and railings! Additionally, ensure your deck, the substructure, and its build are up to safety protocols so your deck can sturdily accommodate it all.

In Conclusion

So many options – creative, practical, and stylish – are out there for you to ponder. Assess the size of your patio, porch, or deck space, your needs, and ultimately what kind of activities make you happy, and you’ll be on your way to making fantastic furniture both fun and functional.