| Any time spent on a deck will be more enjoyable | | | | A great technique for avoiding any measure of |
| when surrounded by a few favorite things. But, as | | | | clutter is to find ways to purposely display |
| with any good design, decorating a deck can benefit | | | | accessories at different heights.There is no right or |
| a great deal from taking the time to do some | | | | wrong way in which to display personal objects or |
| advance planning. | | | | details in an outdoor living space. Homeowners are |
| The first important step is to sit in a comfortable | | | | only limited by their imagination. Visits to the decks of |
| chair and survey the space. It's a must to avoid | | | | relatives, friends and neighbors are great sources for |
| consciously planning the space in doing this looking | | | | ideas on how to decorate a deck. |
| around. However, it is important to make note of | | | | Consider mounting an interesting piece of driftwood |
| what areas are attention getting. These are the | | | | on a wall and decorating it with a set of small |
| places that need details of some type. A smart idea | | | | mini-lights, dried flowers, beads placed in crevices or a |
| would be to choose one good size item per seating | | | | collection of tiny wooden birds. Place brightly |
| area for emphasis such as a smooth, round granite or | | | | decorated birdhouses on top of arbor or pergola |
| concrete ball perched beside a bench. This would add | | | | rafters that are visible from anyone reclining on a |
| a much needed focal point by creating an unusual | | | | deck lounger or hammock. Prop a salvaged artifact or |
| juxtaposition. If floor space is limited in a particular | | | | pair of antique watering cans against a large container |
| area, the largest object of some sort could be | | | | of flowers at decking level.Try nailing or gluing old |
| mounted on the wall to create a sense of drama. | | | | bottle caps, horseshoes or a collection of old trivets |
| Homeowner collections are an ideal possibility for | | | | across the foot of a screen door. |
| helping to decorate a deck. A collection creates one | | | | Paint a prominent fence or gate post a color that |
| focal point out of several objects. Grouping related | | | | stands out from the rest. Add a face in some way |
| objects such as folk art, cherub statues, finials or | | | | as well as arms, wings, hair or a hat in order to |
| birdhouses invites comparison and draws attention. All | | | | create an original and personal garden sculpture. Spike |
| of these small pieces take on much greater | | | | an old fashioned weather vane into a large container |
| importance when displayed thoughtfully together. | | | | of flowers or into a raised flower bed to draw |
| However, it is extremely vital that its setting is | | | | attention to the seasonal color.Hang mobiles, kites or |
| chosen carefully. House or garden walls, ledges, | | | | wind chimes to catch the breeze in and around the |
| windowsills, empty corners and even flower and | | | | deck and create an open air art gallery. |
| garden beds are good places in which to display | | | | Suspend unexpected objects such as old silverware |
| collections. Avoid placing one collection too close to | | | | or large beads from overhead structures or wall |
| another collection or accents that will compete | | | | brackets. |
| against one another for attention. Neutral | | | | Set out objects such as window shutters, an old 6 |
| backgrounds such as fences, walls and green plants | | | | panel mirror, an antique sewing machine or a canoe |
| have the capacity to show off collections to their | | | | paddle in places where something special is needed to |
| best advantage. When displaying collections make a | | | | fill a dull spot. Pottery, keys, old tools, shells, marbles, |
| point to vary the color of objects if the forms are | | | | antique signs, sun motifs, fishing gear and stained |
| similar. If the shapes are different then it is wiser to | | | | glass pieces are all interesting things that can |
| ensure that the colors are similar to be most | | | | withstand the elements of mother nature and have |
| effective. | | | | the potential to act as decorations for outdoor |
| When placing deck decorations, it is very effective to | | | | spaces. |
| establish some sort of theme. Something as simple as | | | | An old saying holds that beauty is in the eye of the |
| using star shaped objects, frogs or objects that are | | | | beholder. In decorating a deck it is imperative to look |
| blue has the capacity to assist the space in | | | | for ways to make the outdoor space as appealing as |
| maintaining a unified look. Make a deliberate point of | | | | possible to family members, friends and other guests |
| avoiding any type of clutter. Allow enough room | | | | through the careful and strategic placement of |
| between the items selected so that each one has | | | | personal touches. |
| the opportunity to be noticed by a relative or guest. | | | | |