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