PROJECT NEXT
Decked Out with Accessories
Decorate your outdoor living space.
Amenities such as sunshades and
heating systems can add both
form and function to your deck.
inserting these elements into
your outdoor living space, consider the following deck accessory
ideas:
Decks aren’t just for summer anymore. These days,
comfortable “outdoor living
spaces” allow homeowners to
enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Complete with such amenities as
heat lamps, overhead sunshades
and built-in seating, a summer-only deck quickly becomes an all-season outdoor living space with
all the sophistication, look and
feel of an inside room.
A well-designed and appointed
outdoor living space can be a
comfortable spot where the family can enjoy quality time together
throughout the year. And with
many stylish, durable accessory
products available to enhance
the comfort and convenience of
backyard relaxing—the end result
is a space that not only extends
your living area, but also lifts
your spirits.
“The outdoor room is definitely
becoming more than a seasonal
space,” says Peter Lang, general
manager of the Western Red
Cedar Lumber Association
(WRCLA). “And just like every
other room, homeowners can
easily create an enjoyable locale
with a few simple additions and
some thoughtful planning.”
Taking the time to incorporate
some decorative and functional
elements not only adds aesthetic
flair, but also provides that cozy
feeling to help extend the outdoor season year-round. When
MOVING UPWARD
When temperatures rise, glare
and heat can deter backyard worshipers inside on summer afternoons. To help resolve this, many
homeowners are incorporating
sun-filtering structures atop outdoor living spaces. These “
sunshades” let you enjoy the outdoors on even the warmest days,
while providing protection from
harmful UV rays and direct sun
heat. Sunshade areas provide an
ideal blend of shade and light—
perfect as a retreat or a shady
spot to cool off before going
inside.
A nice touch to your sunshade
is the addition of decorative
canopy board ends. To create a
custom end, finalize your design
on construction paper and use it
as a template to transfer your
design to each board end. To
ensure consistency, be systematic and symmetric in applying this
decorative design to each canopy
board. The possibilities are endless, but choosing decorative
flair to complement the architectural feel of your house while
matching any deck railing
designs will add to the overall
appeal.
