Having an under deck patio is one of the most efficient ways to utilize the backyard without costing an arm and a leg.
The homeowners can dedicate the upper space for outdoor dining while the lower deck can be a perfect spot for barbecue and entertainment.
However, designing an under deck patio is a challenging task and requires you to be creative. Lucky for you, the following guide presents the top five affordable under deck patio ideas.
- Key considerations before designing under deck patio
- Covered deck and patio
- Patio with kitchen
- Go green
- Storage patio
- Screen under deck patio
- Additional tips
An important point to consider here is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to build a decent under-deck patio. So keep reading to learn interesting ideas to execute your outdoor space with your friends and family.
1. Key Considerations Before Designing Under Deck Patio
Before proceeding to the under-deck patio ideas, let’s briefly discuss the essential factors to keep in mind:
- You should be able to use the under-deck patio area during rain.
- The design shouldn’t be complex, and construction cost exceeds the allocated budget.
- Leave sufficient headroom to stand and roam around.
- The area under the deck is usually dark; you must add lighting and install heaters and fans to make the patio functional.
- The ceiling to be installed underneath the deck should be made of waterproof material.
- Finally, ensure proper drainage to prevent damage to furniture and other construction material.
2. Covered Deck and Patio
It’s entirely up to your budget to go for a one or two-level covered deck and patio. For instance, if you have a large family or a big social circle, a two-level patio is perfect for maximizing the utility of the available space.
You can install skylights over the upper covered area to illuminate the covered area. Also, the two covered decks can have a common chimney and fireplace to offer a cozy and homely feeling.
To keep things simple, you can convert the under-deck area into an outdoor living area. Hence, you’ll have two separate living rooms for various occasions and parties.
You can add lightweight yet stylish sofa seats with other portable furniture without cluttering the under-deck area. Similarly, you can construct a stone fireplace or a mini bar to have a relaxing evening with friends.
3. Patio With Kitchen
The primary idea behind an under-deck patio is to use the available square feet in functional spaces. For instance, you can have an outdoor corner kitchen with a grill and an elegant dining area.
This way, you can use the outdoor kitchen at least once a week to cook breakfast or grill some beef burgers on Sundays. For luxury, you can have a minibar, a small fridge, an outdoor sink, and other items to facilitate cooking.
Adding soft and lightweight furniture to the patio is best. However, you can add rugs, soft cushions, and soft blankets to enhance the interior aesthetics.
Some people also make the under-deck patio an extension of the indoor space by installing sliding doors.
For this purpose, you can simply shift the dining area to the patio to increase the kitchen space. Also, the matching material can ensure a flow from indoors to outdoors.
4. Go Green
Having a green under-deck offers you several options, such as a mini garden or an organic garden with homegrown vegetables. If you don’t have a backyard garden, you can add green color to the patio to design a cozy corner.
For instance, you can lay down artificial grass and place lightweight outdoor furniture. Also, you hang some plants around the corners to prevent utilizing the floor space.
You can have raised flower beds around the patio to add color and vibrancy to the patio.
If you are a plant lover, you can turn the under-deck patio into an outdoor container garden to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
One of the most significant advantages of growing a container garden is that you don’t have to dig up the available space. Instead, you can have segregated containers for your home garden.
5. Storage Patio
It doesn’t mean that you convert the under-deck into a storage facility; instead, you can build a storage unit in the space below the stairs.
This way, you don’t have to give up on the covered seating area, and can also store outdoor accessories in the storage closets.
6. Screen Under Deck Patio
If you live in a topical area where bugs can disturb you outdoors, installing transparent screens is best.
This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor seating without getting disturbed by bugs or mosquitos. Another benefit of installing screens is to allow natural light to illuminate the patio.
However, installing screens certainly adds to the overall cost compared to the regular open-air patios. You can also install the storm doors on either or both sides to visit the backyard.
7. Additional Tips
What’s the most important thing to make or break the under-deck patio? It’s the furniture.
What’s the point of investing a hefty amount in re-doing the floor, paint, walls, and ceilings when you don’t have the required furniture to complement?
On the contrary, flooring must be the last thing on the list while transforming the patio. Instead, you should focus on buying lightweight yet trendy furniture that offers a cozy and relaxing feeling.
Also, if you have less space on a patio, you can add a hanging chair to add some boho vibes.
However, if you have the budget, no one is stopping you from doing the flooring and adding different tiles, such as:
- Natural stone flooring
- Patterned floor tiles
- Porcelain tiles
- Wooden deck tiles
Final Thoughts
Every homeowner wants a functional outdoor space they can utilize daily or on special occasions.
The first thing to consider before utilizing the under-deck patio is the desired functionality. There are countless under-deck patio ideas, from dine-out area to poolside oasis, from additional storage space to your spa.
You don’t have to invest in expensive flooring or construction. Instead, it’s best to dress the patio with elegant furniture and other accessories.