By rentersgardenoasis@yahoo.com Super Cool Deck Makeover: Your Own Secret Garden (Even if it’s Small!)
Imagine having a super awesome spot right outside your door where you can chill, smell yummy plants, and not hear all the noisy cars. That’s what we’re gonna do with a regular-sized deck – about as big as a small bedroom!
Think of your deck as a blank canvas, like when you’re about to draw a masterpiece. We’re going to add layers, like putting stickers on top of each other, to make it super useful and cozy for your decks from 50 square feet to 100 square feet.
Cool Places to Sit and Chill:
First things first: where will you sit to drink your juice or read a book? We’ve got some neat ideas:
- Secret Storage Bench: Imagine a bench built right onto one side of your deck. It’s not just for sitting! Lift up the seat, and BAM! You’ve got a secret hiding spot for your gardening tools or comfy pillows. The back of this bench can even hold a long box for planting pretty flowers or tasty herbs. How cool is that?
- Moveable Seats: Besides the cool built-in bench, we can add a couple of light chairs or puffy seats called ottomans. These are like LEGOs – you can move them around wherever you want, depending on if you have friends over or just want to stretch out. And when you’re done, they can tuck away easily so your deck doesn’t feel crowded.
- Tiny Table Time: You’ll need a spot for your snacks and drinks, right? A small, round table or one that folds up is perfect. It won’t take up too much space, and you can easily move it when you need more room to do a happy dance.
Growing Yummy Smells and Pretty Colors:
Now for the fun part: plants! Even if your deck isn’t huge, we can grow lots of cool stuff by going up! Think of it like building a plant skyscraper:
- Wall Huggers: We can hang pots right on the walls or railings. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, like little plant backpacks!
- Plant Stairs: Imagine a stand with shelves, but for plants! You can put different kinds of flowers and herbs on each step. It’s like a plant party on a stand!
- Hanging Gardens: We can even hang baskets from the roof of your deck (if you have one). These will swing gently in the breeze and look super pretty.
- Railroad Planters: Some planters are made to sit right on top of your deck railing. It’s like giving your railing a green haircut!
- Bench Buddies: Remember that built-in bench? The back of it can also be a long planter box. Imagine sitting there, surrounded by your favorite smelling plants!
- Smelly Good Choices: Let’s pick plants that smell amazing, like lavender (it smells like calm!), rosemary (it smells like yummy chicken!), basil (smells like pizza!), mint (smells super fresh!), jasmine (sweet and dreamy!), and sweet alyssum (tiny and smells like honey!).
Making it Quiet Like a Library:
Sometimes, those noisy streets can be a bummer when you’re trying to relax. But don’t worry, we can trick the sound!
- Solid Wall Power: On the side of your deck that faces the most noise, we can put up a solid screen or a cool-looking panel. It’s like building a mini wall to block the sound waves, like how a big tree can block the wind. We can use wood, special outdoor stuff, or even lots of thick plants growing together!
- Bushy Sound Catchers: Planting lots of thick bushes or tall, leafy plants in big pots can also help. Their leaves and branches are like little sound sponges, soaking up some of the noise. Think of bamboo (the kind that doesn’t spread everywhere!), tall grasses, or even small trees in pots.
- Water Music (Optional): The gentle sound of water trickling can be like nature’s music, helping you forget about the street noise. A small fountain you hang on the wall or put on a table could do the trick!
Quiet on Top Too! (If You Have a Roof):
If your deck has a roof or something over it, the sound can bounce off and make it noisy. Here’s how to make it quieter up there:
- Sound-S absorbing Panels: We can put special flat things called acoustic panels on the bottom of the roof. They’re like sound-eating pancakes! They come in different colors and styles so they can look good too.
- Hanging Greenery: Remember those hanging baskets? Lots of leafy ones hanging from the roof can also help soak up some of the sound. Plus, they look awesome!
- Soft Stuff Up High: Believe it or not, even hanging outdoor fabric or a special outdoor rug on the ceiling (if it’s safe and won’t fall!) can help make things a bit quieter. It’s like putting a blanket over the sound.
