One of the very best ways to decide what kind of deck you’d like is to simply find pictures and examples and create an online idea book. I find that photos and examples are one of the best and fastest ways for clients to convey deck design ideas. If someone says they want a “fancy” deck, I’m not sure if that means they want a large deck, a multi-tiered deck, or scrolled ironwork instead of wood railing. Photos take the guesswork out of the design and help us establish the style and the budget quickly and easily and with less miscommunication. That being said, just where do you go to find these pictures of decks? I recommend three places.
Search for Deck Ideas on Pinterest
Simply typing in “deck ideas” in the search bar at the top of the Pinterest home page reveals a multitude of results from “Decks to Fit any Budget” to “25 Ground Level Deck Ideas and Designs” to “Second Story Deck Ideas for Your Backyard”, and that’s just on the first page! You can spend hours searching and saving great ideas and get plenty of inspiration too. You may decide you want to add a privacy wall, a pergola, or another level. Then, when you say you’d like some under-deck storage drawers, we can see the photo and we will actually know exactly what you’re talking about.
As an added bonus, you’ll get deck railing ideas, landscaping ideas, lighting ideas and so much more. Plus, you can create your own board on Pinterest where you can collect ideas to show your deck builder when you’re ready. You definitely don’t have to be tech-savvy to start a Pinterest board. Go find your ideas and then bring them to us. If you can dream it, we can create it. Have fun!
Houzz Has Great Deck Project Photos
Houzz is another online platform where you can find great ideas and pictures of decks. Houzz is more of a brag book for home improvement projects. Companies can feature their work and go into detail about the project. You can start by clicking on the “Get Ideas” tab and choose “Decks” from the extensive list. The nice thing about Houzz is that you can find out more details about projects like exact products used. But in the beginning stages when you are simply gathering ideas, it’s a great place to see deck designs and products from all over the country. Like Pinterest, you can save photos to your Ideabook for later reference. If there is something specific you’d like to know, you can dive a little deeper into the featured project and find out more.
Deck Builder Websites Will Help You Narrow It Down
A third place to find photos is deck builder websites. Here’s where you may want to stay local to find out a little more about builders in your area. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone. As you are searching for portfolios and photos, you will also get an idea of the kind of company it is. This may save you time later when deciding who to call for consultations and bids. Some will have more photos than others, but steer clear of anyone who doesn’t show their work. The proof is in the pudding. If they don’t have pictures, or their pictures don’t excite you, that may be a sign that you should look elsewhere.
