Planning Your Deck for Deck Furniture

No two decks are the same, and the ideal arrangement and style of furniture on your neighbor’s deck may not look good on your deck. So before you make decisions about color schemes and types of furniture to include on your deck, take some time to plan it out first. If you’re building a brand new deck and plan to fill it with furniture or want to know how to furnish your current deck, keep these things in mind.

Common Deck Sizes

There are three categories of deck sizes to consider: 

12’x12’

This is the standard deck size for most apartments or city homes. It has more than enough space to fit a modest furniture set and still decorate with greenery, lighting, and any other type of décor you want. 

Greater than 12’x16’

Once your deck reaches 12’ by 16’, you have the ability to separate the spaces into two distinct usable areas. How you utilize those two spaces is up to you. Try furnishing one area for relaxation and one for outdoor grilling. Or, you can even opt to create one large uniformly furnished deck. 

Greater than 12’x20’

Once your deck exceeds 12’ by 20’, you have a large versatile deck that can be furnished a myriad of ways. This large of a deck is usually found at larger homes so that the homeowners can host events and spread out. After all, with more space comes an increased need to optimize your options carefully. 

Calculating Useable Space

One helpful way to determine how to structure your deck furniture is to calculate how many usable spaces are available on the deck. You can do this by measuring your deck and sketching it on graph paper so you can visualize it. As a general rule, a small to medium cluster of deck furniture will take up between 100 to 150 square feet of space. Additionally, you’ll want to leave at least four to five feet of space between usable spaces so your deck isn’t crowded. 

Maximizing Useable Spaces

If You Have One Useable Area

For smaller decks with one usable area, you’ll want to stick to a central set with up to two or three pieces. If you want to use your deck for dining, try placing an outdoor dining table with two chairs. If you plan on using your deck for relaxation, you can place two deep seating chairs and a coffee table. Just because you have a small space doesn’t mean you have limited options. 

If You Have Two Usable Spaces

If your deck has two distinguishable usable spaces, you have more options. You can furnish one space for relaxation and the other for dining. Or, you can turn one area into an outdoor kitchen and the other for group dining. No matter what you choose, try to keep your choices practical and include as much seating as you can without crowding. 

If You Have Three Usable Spaces

Decks that have three usable spaces can fully commit to virtually any kind of furniture without compromising. You can get creative and add things like a swing, rocking chairs, or a unique dining set. However, try to furnish your deck in a way that won’t clash.

Start with a Deck from North American Deck and Patio

Since 2007, the experienced deck builders from North American Deck and Patio have been helping homeowners like you design and build the decks of their dreams. Have an idea for your deck? Turn to North American Deck and Patio, and we’ll turn your vision into reality. Click here to request a free estimate.

“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