Deck Trends Help Define Your Outdoor Area

Just as your home's decor is a statement of your taste and personality, so is your backyard. As the trend for enjoying customized decks and outdoor living space grows, personalized outdoor living areas are the latest in home improvement upgrades.

Building or updating an existing deck isn't simply a great investment: It provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer thanks to the economy, why not create your perfect location for entertaining?

"By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat you'll never want to leave, whether you're catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon," says Chris Fox, marketing manager at Universal Forest Products.

With a new emphasis on value, durability and ultra-low maintenance, many homeowners seek deck materials that resist fading and staining. New Latitudes Capricorn Tropical composite decking, sold through dealers nationwide, is a good choice. Low-maintenance, eco-friendly composite decking material is made from a mixture of recycled wood fiber and postindustrial high-density polyethylene, which looks natural and feels great on bare feet.

Add unique touches to really make the deck your personal haven. Change your deck's look with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard. You'll find traditional bronze balusters, classic rounded rails or even scenic glass balusters, which give your outdoor room a clear view.

Then consider breaking up the wooden look of your deck with faux stone post covers, to help match the look of your deck to a stone house, to a backyard with stone pavers or to a stone wall. Easily installed over a wooden post, faux stone post covers come in several colors.

Finish off your railing system with post caps. Deckorators post caps, by Maine Ornamental, are functionally and artistically decorative. Maybe you're interested in the more traditional black, stainless or pewter colors, topping a solar LED light to illuminate your deck for evening use. Or try a creative look with stained glass post caps, bringing a colorful flair to each deck post.

With so many new products and options available, you can transform your deck into a new outdoor living area. And because you designed it, it will perfectly fit your lifestyle.

Courtesy of ARAcontent