Your deck is a great space, especially in the spring and fall, and on those cool summer evenings. However, it can be hot at times, cold at others. You can turn your deck into an oasis and enjoy it any time of year. Once you step through that sliding patio door and into the great outdoors, you can be in your own slice of heaven.
Heat it Up and Cool it Down
The temperature of your deck can make a huge difference on how often you can use it, and how comfortable you will be on it. There are some simple solutions to this.
- Heat it Up: there are some great space heaters and heat lamps you can use to make your deck a comfortable place even on cold winter nights. These can be propane powered and quite affordable to purchase and to use. Just be aware of the material of your deck and be sure you can place them where they will not be a fire hazard.
- Cool it Down: Come summer time, you will want to keep your deck as cool as you can. This can mean an awning, misters, or a combination of both. You should also consider adding fans for additional cooling power. Using ice near the fans or to cool the mister water can also be helpful. Shade is your friend, so if an awning does not work, consider umbrellas or other shading devices.
Climate control on your deck is nearly as important as it is inside your home. Make your deck an oasis of comfort.
Grab a Bite
Fresh air makes you hungry, and there is no better place to eat than outside on your deck, especially on those days when you don’t want to leave and go back inside. There are a couple of ways you can make your deck a food oasis.
- Add a Grill: Whether you are a charcoal guy or a gas grill aficionado, adding a grill to your deck adds a great place to cook, and keeps you from heating up the kitchen on those hot summer days. It can also be a source of heat in the winter. Grilled food is often the best, and a good grill allows you to channel your inner chef.
- Add a mini-fridge: A mini fridge gives you a place to keep snacks that need to be refrigerated but keeps you from having to run back inside for more. Be sure the fridge is big enough to handle the snacks you want along with some drinks.
Having snacks at hand is a great idea and being able to cook makes your deck an even better place to hang out.
Quench Your Thirst
Speaking of the mini-fridge and drinks, you may need two mini-fridges, depending on your taste in drinks and snacks. After all, your deck is your oasis after all. However, more than just a mini-fridge, you may want to add a bar as well.
Not only can a bar be a great place to make adult beverages, but it can be a great place to hold other drinks, have ice handy, and have some outdoor glassware available. If possible, you should have your bar plumbed for water as well.
The heat will make you thirsty, and the cold will make you long for something warm to drink. Your bar can be set up to provide both at the right time and in the right season.
Plant Yourself
One of the things that makes a great deck in the summer is live plants. They not only clean the air and help decorate the deck, but they can also play a role in keeping it cooler. You can add planters to your deck that you can take inside during the winter months, or plant new annuals each year, or any combination of the two.
Of course, if you have allergies, you will want to be careful what you plant, and be aware of when things bloom. Also, be sure to have a watering plan, whether that is part of your lawn watering system or one of its own. Nothing livens up a deck like plants. Nothing makes it sadder than dead or dying ones.
Take a Seat
You will want to be comfortable, and one of the keys to that is having some great places to sit. This will mean you need to outfit your deck with a variety of chairs and tables. From loungers to benches, there are countless ones available. You just need to know what you are looking for, and how you want to enjoy your oasis. Even a stand hammock can be a great place to read or nap.
Making your deck an oasis is a great idea. You will have an escape in your own backyard. Follow these five guidelines when you are considering how to make your deck the best it can be, with comfortable places to eat and cook, drink, and sit around.
