4 Ideas for the Space Under the Deck

As you are planning your new deck, you may realize that it will leave some potentially usable space underneath. What should you do with it? It’s a good idea to plan for the space underneath the deck before the deck goes up, so that you can make any necessary arrangements in advance, as well as ensure you use matching materials. From our Maryland deck builders to you, here are a few ideas for the space under the deck.

Patio

If your basement is level with the grade at the back of your house, you could add a patio underneath your new deck. The bottom of the deck will provide a nice cover from rain and sun, allowing you to enjoy your patio all summer long. It’s a no-brainer if you already have basement doors exiting underneath your future deck. If there are no doors, you could put them in or add a staircase from the deck to the patio as a main access point from the house.

Storage

If your deck will sit relatively low and there isn’t enough head space for a patio, consider using the space under the deck for storage. You could store virtually anything in indestructible plastic bins or other types of containers. Store your gardening equipment, outdoor furniture, pool toys, and even your lawn mower and weed-wacker if you don’t have enough room in the garage. One clever idea is to suspend a wire basket through the deck floor to be accessed via a trap door. You can use it for storing garden hoses or dog toys that you can easily grab without leaving the deck.

For basic storage needs, you could surround the space with lattice that matches the deck. For more secure storage, you could cover the space under the deck with siding or decking boards and install a door. But if you do that, make sure your deck is waterproof and doesn’t drain into the space underneath, or you will be dealing with mold and moisture issues.

Play Area

Although there may not be enough room for you under your deck, it could be the perfect space for your kids, at least for the time being. This is an opportunity to get creative and build a really fun area for your children to play in summer while you are relaxing on your deck. You could build mini houses, add a sand box and even install a slide from the top of the deck to the bottom level. Who wouldn’t love a backyard slide? And since the space under the deck is shaded and can be difficult to grow grass on, you could opt for artificial turf to provide a soft and clean surface for the little feet to run on.

Screened Porch / Sunroom

A patio may be a nice addition to your home, but you could make this space under the deck even more usable and versatile. How about a screened porch or a sunroom? Either will help keep the bugs away while allowing a nice breeze to roll through. You could use it to hide from the sun when the deck is too hot, or even use it in winter with a heater. And if you have indoor pets, they will certainly love watching the birds and sniffing the fresh air.

All of these are great ideas that are not that difficult to implement. And if you find a skilled Maryland deck builder, you could kill two birds with one stone and get your under-the-deck space finished at the same time as the deck! North American Deck and Patio will be happy to help you realize these and other outdoor entertainment ideas! Just give us a call or contact us online for a free consultation!

“Jim at North American patio and deck's came up with the most ingenious way of utilizing our small very slanted very water drained environment and turned it into a virtual oasis. Making this deck the envy of all our ambitions and gem for the community.”

– C. Cross