Composite Decking Ideas to Transform Your Garden

Composite decking has become a favourite among homeowners, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality to any outdoor space. However, planning your composite decking project can feel daunting if you’re unsure where to begin. Thankfully, there are countless creative ways to incorporate composite decking into your design. These inspiring composite decking ideas that will transform your outdoor space.

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15 Garden Decking Ideas to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

1. Experiment with Laying Patterns

Consider how you want to lay your deck boards and experiment with creating interesting patterns. While the traditional method involves laying the boards in straight lines for a uniform look, you can get more creative by exploring patterns such as diagonals or herringbone. This can create a unique and striking look that will give your decking a personal touch.

2. Integrate Deck Steps

Many homeowners face the challenge of designing decking on sloping gardens, which can complicate the planning process. To navigate this, incorporating steps into your deck design is essential. Fortunately, there are various creative and functional ways to integrate steps, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and practicality. Variations on this idea include:

Standard box steps – this is a straightforward and timeless choice, using rectangular steps to provide a clean and uncomplicated look. Box steps are easy to build and install, making them a popular choice for homeowners.
Wrap-around steps – these steps will wrap around one or more sides of the deck, providing a seamless transition to the surrounding garden space, enhancing accessibility.
Multi-level steps – multi-level steps connect multiple levels or sections of the deck together, and are ideal for split-level decks to create defined spaces.

3. Add Plants

Incorporating plants into your decking design not only adds a natural element but also enhances the visual appeal of your outdoor space. There are numerous creative ways to integrate greenery into your decking, each offering unique benefits and aesthetic advantages. Some ideas to consider include built-in plants, which require integrating plants directly into the decking design to create a cohesive look. You can also opt for corner plants by placing large, stationary plants in the corners of your deck. Or, if you have railings on your decking, you can attach plants to that to add some greenery to eye level.

4. Deck Around a Hot Tub or Pool

Swimming pools and hot tubs are great additions to any garden, providing both aesthetic appeal and a space for relaxation and recreation. However, the frequent use of these features inevitably leads to increased wear and tear. Fortunately, by opting to surround your pool or hot tub with composite decking, you can significantly extend the lifespan and durability of your deck. Composite decking offers a weatherproof and resilient alternative to traditional wood, ensuring that your outdoor space remains both attractive and functional for years to come.

6. Mix and Match Your Colours

At Dino Decking, we offer a vast range of colours, allowing you to mix and match different deck boards to create a unique design. Combining colours can help create focal points and highlight features you want to emphasise. If you’re unsure which colour to choose, consider the colours of your garden furniture and how the decking will complement them. Browse our variety of colours from our two ranges:

Classic Range

Premium Range

7. Include a Contemporary Rail

Enhance your decking even further with a contemporary railing to elevate its overall look. Railings add a polished and finished appearance that complements your home’s design. Beyond aesthetics, railings also provide a crucial safety barrier, especially for elevated decks. Choose from a variety of options, including aluminium or wooden railings, and customise them with features like lights or a shelf for added functionality and style.

8. Add a Cover for your Composite Decking

Create an additional room by adding a pergola to your deck, transforming it into a covered outdoor space ideal for work, leisure, or socialising. Pergolas can frame and define the area, making them an easy and stylish addition to your deck. They also provide much-needed shade, offering cool relief during the summer months. You can also add another dimension to your outdoor space with lattice panels, which not only act as dividers for different zones, but also minimise any unwanted views.

9. Incorporate Some Curves

Not all gardens suit rigid, parallel lines, so consider incorporating curved edges to achieve a more harmonious and natural look. Curved edges can enhance the organic feel of your garden and help your decking blend seamlessly with features such as flower beds, rockeries, or winding pathways. This approach not only complements the garden’s existing elements but also adds visual interest and a sense of flow to your outdoor space.

10. Decking Outside Your Outdoor Room

Since the post-lockdown period, there’s been a significant rise in the number of people working from home. As a result, many have chosen to invest in garden rooms, creating dedicated spaces to work or enjoy leisure activities right in their own backyards. To complement these spaces, composite decking is an ideal choice for framing the perimeter, providing excellent resistance to the elements while maintaining the natural aesthetic you desire.

11. Establish a Border

Most gardens feature a border that separates them from the main house. Decking serves as an ideal way to create a clean, defined boundary between the garden’s green spaces and any adjoining areas connected to the house. Decking isn’t limited to just the area around your house either, and it can also extend into the garden to create additional seating areas, enhancing your outdoor living space.

12. Build in Some Deck Lights

Deck lights are an excellent way to enhance both the functionality and visual appeal of your decking. Incorporating lighting into your composite decking not only softens the ambiance but also elevates its overall style. You have a variety of options to choose from, such as post cap lights and recessed lights, which can beautifully illuminate your outdoor space. Stair riser lights are also a valuable safety feature, providing better visibility for steps in the evening. If your decking includes a balustrade, you can further enhance the look by adding lights to the rail or posts.

13. Experiment with Different Decking Finishes

Another modern composite decking idea is to mix different decking finishes. Our selection offers you the choice between an authentic wood grain finish (from our classic range) or a contemporary grooved finish (from our premium range). A popular design option is picture framing, where you frame the wood grain deck boards with an outer layer of grooved finish boards. This technique creates a clean and polished look, adding a touch of sophistication to your decking.

14. Opt for Lighter Tones to Create the Feeling of More Space

Opting for lighter-toned decking can create a more open and spacious feel in your garden. Additionally, lighter colours are ideal for south-facing gardens, where darker tones tend to absorb heat, potentially making them too hot to walk on during the peak of summer. Choosing a lighter shade helps keep your outdoor space cooler and more comfortable.

15. Choose Seating to Complement Your Decking

The choice of seating for your decking largely depends on its intended purpose. For areas designed for socialising, garden furniture such as sofas and tables can create a welcoming and comfortable environment for entertaining guests. To complement your decking, consider materials like rattan chairs, timber tables, and corner sofas, which not only match aesthetically but also enhance the functionality and style of your outdoor space.