How to Decorate a Lake Deck

Lakeshore living allows for peaceful times.

Living beside a lake can be tranquil and soothing to the soul. When you come home from a busy day at work in the city, or just want to sit awhile outdoors and view the water and natural surroundings, sitting on your deck is just the ticket. Decks can be decorated simply with just a couple of well-placed chairs or more extravagantly to create an outdoor room. Stand on your deck and contemplate what might appeal to you, and then start shopping.

Things You'll Need

• Patio furniture
• Umbrella (optional)
• Chiminea or mobile fire pit
• Firewood
• Plants
• Pots and planter boxes
• Bird feeder
• Flags and posts
• Wind chimes
• Hooks
• Outdoor lighting and lanterns
• Candles
• Yard art and ornaments

Instructions

1. Set out your furniture first. Place chaise lounges and other patio chairs where you will easily have unblocked views of the water. Add a table, side tables, benches and any extra chairs for entertaining.

   If your deck doesn't get much shade, pick the kind of patio table that has a center hole and add a large umbrella to create your own shade when needed. Arrange small furniture groupings on large decks and don't overcrowd small ones.

2. Place a chiminea or outside fire pit near the furniture area. Keep firewood piled in an easily accessible spot in a corner out of view. On cooler evenings or nights, you can wheel the fire pit closer or shift the chairs a bit to enjoy the warmth of the fire.

3. Set potted plants around the deck perimeter and at the edges of steps descending to the lake. Flowers such as annuals and perennials work well in these. Check your growing zone for ideal plant choices.

4. Place a birdfeeder on a railing or tall post to one side of the deck where it won't block your view. Flags or vertical banners can also be placed to the sides. Pick colorful fabric or traditional flags that will catch the onshore breezes and flutter in the wind.

5. Hang a couple of wind chimes to the outer corners or nearer to the house under the eaves. Omit the wind chimes if you want complete silence or only the sounds of nature.

6. Surround the deck with lighting you can turn off when not wanted or with solar lamps spaced every 5 or 6 feet around the deck. These are also handy to light pathways to the lake or piers. Place several outdoor lanterns and hurricane-style candle holders for votives around the tables or atop wide areas of deck railing.

7. Complete your outside decor with local artwork or sculpture that reflect nature's beauty, trees, wildlife and country living.

Tips & Warnings

• Add an outdoor barbeque grill if you often cook this way. Keep it to one side, away from the actual deck rails or overhead tree branches.

• Add a closing child-proof gate so they cannot access the water without you.

• If you have small children, do not to place objects that could injure them or that they could easily damage within reach.

Resources

• Directory M: How to Decorate Your Deck Thematically