A bunch of readers have asked for a deck mood board so they can picture how this big project will look once it’s finished. Since funds are tight and we still haven’t fully furnished the patio we built last year, this won’t come together overnight — and some items on the board could sell out before we grab them — but here’s the vision we’re loving right now.
1. This cheerful indoor/outdoor pillow from World Market feels like the perfect pop of pattern and color for bench seating. It’s a classic choice that can handle sun and the occasional splash.
2. I’m really into the idea of bright yellow metal chairs at the heads of the table. They’d add personality and contrast — whether we DIY them with primer and yellow spray paint or find them already finished.
3. A durable outdoor rug by Dash & Albert placed near the sliding doors would help define the transition from inside to outside and trap dirt before people come back in.
4. Large globe string lights stretched across the length of the deck would create soft evening ambiance for alfresco dinners and long summer nights.
5. A cluster of colorful planters in the center of the table, maybe planted with herbs, would add life and a practical garnish for dinners outdoors.
6. This table is already ours. The price was too good to pass up, so we measured and ran to buy it. It was even cheaper at our local store than online, and the white finish will look great against the wood tone of the deck and the yellow metal chairs, balanced by understated wooden chairs for the rest of the seating.
7. Hanging tea light holders mounted on the house exterior would help make the walls feel cozy and tied into the deck’s overall look.
8. We scored the wooden chairs from Joss & Main at a great price, so we plan to use them around the table with the yellow metal chairs at the heads for contrast and interest.
For the deck layout, here’s the general plan based on a simple rendering. The deck measures about 20′ long by 8′ wide.
There’s a welcome mat at the sliding door flanked by planters — everywhere you see a green dot in the plan, imagine a leafy planter. We’ll position the table in the central section of the deck between the seams we’re adding; it should seat 6–8 people, but we’ll confirm once it’s set up. The far end of the deck has space for a few possibilities: a sand-and-water table for Clara (which is why the rendering shows a blue rectangle and a chair) or a small seating area for adults.
If you’re wondering about circulation in the narrow space, we taped out the table and chairs before buying to make sure there’s still room to walk around on both sides. The deck is eight feet wide, the same as a den in our first house, so we’re used to making long, skinny spaces work. We’ll share updates as we go, but right now I’m mostly looking forward to sitting on the deck boards with something cold in hand.
Psst — people ask how I make mood boards: I use Photoshop to cut images out, size and place them, and add numbers. There are also free alternatives that work well if you don’t have Photoshop. Check the FAQ for more details and tips.