I always feel it’s important to make use of every inch of space you have in your home. If you have an elevated deck this means you have a part of your yard that is completely unused. I have always hated how the space under the deck looks. So plain, and often muddy. So I have found several different ways that you can make good use of your empty yard space.
Shaded seating
If you have a space in your yard that tends to get a lot of sun, the space under the deck could be a perfect shaded refuge. Start by putting down artificial grass or even turf on the ground under the deck. Since this area is always going to be shaded it doesn’t make sense to try to grow grass. The artificial grass will be soft and comfortable to the feet, and make the area look nicer. To the underside of the deck you may want to add some fresh paint. Brighten it up a bit by using a white paint, that is water resistant. This will help to get rid of any bugs that may have been hiding under the deck. Then you can start to add some lawn chairs that are also water proof. Be sure to add some lighting to the under side of the deck as well. No one is going to want to sit in the dark under the deck. By adding some lights your guest can talk well into the evening.
Play space
You can turn the space under the deck into a nice play area for the kids. The first thing you will need to do is place a patio area under the deck. A visit to your local Home Depot store, and you can pick up some cement and pour your own deck. Just follow the instructions on the bag. Once you have finished laying out the floor, and it has dried, you can add lighting to the bottom of the deck. Perhaps some hanging lights will work for this space. I also like to add some kid friendly and weather friendly decorating curtains. The curtains don’t really serve any purpose but makes the space look really nice. Add some kid friendly chairs for the kids, and a soft mat to go underneath if you have young children. I know you may think that the grass would look better than the cement, but in some areas the rain can ruin a play area by making it too muddy.
Private space
Creating your own private sanctuary under the deck is not only very easy to do but a lot of fun as well. You can start by getting a few bushes from your gardening store. The bushes should be high enough to reach the bottom of the deck. You will only need to hide two sides of the deck. Leave the front open for you to walk in and out. For the front you can put a few large plants. If you are worried about bugs you can treat the plants and the patio area to get rid of them. It is a good idea to get a concrete floor, or you can use stones to cover the ground. Just make sure the stones are secure so that you don’t have to worry about any accidents. Of course you need to hang some lighting and add some furniture. The end result is a nice private area you can relax in. The best part is that since it is shaded it will be comfortable even on a hot summer day.
A refreshment bar
If you are the type of person who uses your yard to entertain guests a lot during the spring and summer months, why not add a drink area under the deck. You can finish the ground under the deck and even expand it out a bit past the deck. Then you can add a bar around one side of the deck. All you need is some wood, and a plan. You can find instructions on how to make your own bar out of wood by doing an online search. When it’s time to have a party you can just bring out some coolers with ice and put them under the bar. Last but certainly not least you will want to be sure to add plenty of seating space.
