Wooden decking has become a ubiquitous garden feature and its popularity is understandable. Wood is easy to work with and has unique natural warmth, so a small deck can easily be built as a DIY project.

When creating your own deck, consider how you intend to use the space and therefore how this will affect your plans. For example, using your deck for sunbathing is good – in which case you may want greater privacy from a pergola. For a more entertaining aspect; including an outdoor lighting to extend use of your deck into the evening is a good idea to consider, the same approach can be used for a children’s play area, and thus you should make sure that safety features are included such as railings.

If you are thinking of adding a railing to the edge of your deck, then try sourcing plain wooden balustrades or sleek metal designs as a more subtle and contemporary alternative to some of the over-decorated and elaborate wooden styles that are more commonly available.

Ask yourself how the surrounding garden will work with decking, hard landscaping materials such as natural stone paving or decorative gravel can work exceptionally around decking, whilst situating a deck next to or over water can create a very special effect.

Traditionally, decking is a useful design feature for sloping sites where its flexibility comes into its own. The split-level look is also a design style you can recreate on a level site by dividing a deck into a series of sections at slightly different heights, with steps leading from one to another.

Another decking design is a sunken section. Most decks are raised off the ground, thus leaving space for a lower section to be recessed into the middle. You could then line the interior with wood and built-in benches to create an unusual sunken seating area. Or build a sand pit for the children with its own removable wooden cover.

Shape can also be used to create added interest. Curved decks can look really stunning, particularly where other design features in the garden such as borders and lawns also echo the shape of the deck.

The layout of decking boards can also be used creatively. In a narrow garden arranging the boards horizontally across the deck can create an impression of greater width, and shorter gardens can look longer if boards are aligned pointing down the plot.

The most versatile arrangement however is to set the boards on a 45 degree angle, which not only looks more interesting but can also help create a new line of sight in the garden.

In summary, decks are a flexible garden feature which can not only create practical living space but enhance the rest of the garden. If creating a deck, always ensure that you purchase your wood for a decking project from a reputable supplier who can guarantee that the materials come from a sustainable source and are FSC accredited, to help protect the environment.

Recommended websites for finding decking products and exceptional designs can be found around the web, places such as http://www.timberclick.com