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

If you are thinking of creating your own deck, consider how you intend to use the space and therefore how this will affect your plans. For example, you might want to use your deck for sunbathing in which case you may want greater privacy from a pergola. For entertaining you may want to include outdoor lighting to extend use of your deck into the evening, or for a children’s play area so you may want extra safety features such as railings.

You should also consider how the rest of the surrounding garden will work with the deck. Hard landscaping materials such as natural stone paving or decorative gravel can work well around decking, whilst situating a deck next to or over water can create a very special effect.

Ensure that you purchase your wood from a reputable supplier who can guarantee that the materials come from a sustainable source and are FSC accredited, to help protect the environment.

Traditionally, decking is a useful design feature for sloping sites where it’s 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 design idea that you can incorporate into your deck is a sunken section. Most decks are raised off the ground 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 you could 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. When incorporating curves into a garden design always try to create broad sweeping curves rather than fiddly twists and turns.

Decks can do more than just replacing the patio. For example the far end of a garden can often provide the ideal location for a deck with a wooden pergola to create a private and secluded seating area. With climbing plants and containers added, it also creates a pleasant focal point when viewed from the house.

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 most interesting but can also help create a new line of sight in the garden with which other design elements can be aligned.

Another way to add more interest to larger decks is to divide the boards into sections laid at opposing diagonals. Furthermore, curved decks can also be divided in a similar way into triangular segments of boards arranged at slightly different angles.

Many of the more widely available decking materials can sometimes be bright in colour, so to soften the look of new wood you could stain it in a subtle colour wash, or paint it to achieve a distressed look. Choosing colours which echo the décor of your home will create a sense of unity between your interior and outdoor living spaces.

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.

Once you have created your deck, it’s time to think about finishing touches. Choose co-ordinating plants and containers to create a sophisticated and stylish look. Contemporary style metal containers can look chic against wood, particularly when planted with eye-catching architectural plants such as grasses or spiky leaved exotics. Glazed terracotta pots in blue, green or aqua can also look striking against a backdrop of wood. Whichever style of container you choose, arrange them in random groups of three or five to achieve a natural effect.

To summarise, decking can be tremendously versatile. Thanks to the ease with which it can be worked you really are limited purely by your imagination. With some advance planning, a little creativity and carefully chosen accessories, you can create a deck that becomes an eye catching design element in your garden.