Whether they’re ground-level or elevated, covered or open, decks are one of the most popular extensions of the home. Give your outdoor space a refresh by taking inspiration from the top deck trends of the summer, according to outdoor living experts.

This year’s trends reflect the many ways a deck can support both lifestyle and design preferences, emphasizing functionality as much as style. Outdoor rooms and indoor-outdoor integration continue to be popular, while sustainable materials remain top of mind for homeowners.

Whether you’re planning a small refresh or full deck makeover, these expert-approved deck trends can help you make the most of your space this season.

1. Restorative Retreats

“We’re seeing more and more homeowners wanting to turn their outdoor living spaces into sanctuaries where they can prioritize wellness, rejuvenation and self-care,” says Leslie Adkins, group vice president of marketing and ESG development for Trex Company. She explains this is a popular way to refresh an outdoor space, because it can be done with any size budget. “Creating a restorative backyard retreat can be as simple as turning a cozy corner into a reading nook by adding plush cushions and a few pillows,” Adkins says. “If you’re working with a larger budget, you can transform your deck into a tranquil space for yoga or meditation outfitted with comfortable seating, string lights, speakers for playing soothing sounds, and lush plants and greenery.”

2. Privacy Walls 

Homeowners creating these restorative retreats is part of what’s driving interest in privacy walls. “Privacy screens and walls can serve more than one purpose, harboring planters, TVs, lighting, and more—all while obscuring wind, rain, and the eyes of a neighbor,” says Michelle Hendricks, marketing manager at Deckorators. In fact, she says the demand is so high that the brand recently launched a new privacy screen system featuring flexible style options. These decorative and functional dividers add a layer of seclusion to things like hot tubs and outdoor showers, while also enhancing solitude and privacy for other outdoor spaces.

3. Hot Tubs

“Somewhat surprisingly, we’ve seen an increase in requests for hot tubs—especially installed level with or sunken into the deck,” Hendricks says. “Incorporating hot tubs on the deck in this way allows the plumbing and equipment to be tucked away for a smooth, continuous look.” The increased interest in hot tubs has ties to the larger restorative retreat trend and continued investment in developing health and wellness at home.

If you’re ready to hop on the hot tub bandwagon, remember to keep safety in mind. Hendricks advises looking for decking materials designed for use around water, such as composite materials and elements specifically designed to increase traction to prevent slips and falls.

4. Neutral and Natural Palettes 

Both indoors and outdoors, nature-inspired colors and neutrals have strong appeal in contemporary design. “Homeowners are embracing the elegance of a more minimalist palette, opting for cleaner lines and materials that create a harmonious and modern outdoor ambiance,” Adkins says. At the same time, natural materials are adding complementary textures to the earthy palettes. 

“Embracing the trend can range from small changes, like adding accessories made of natural materials–such as wicker and stone–to more significant upgrades like installing new, light-colored decking as a neutral foundation for your outdoor space,” Adkins says.

5. Indoor-Outdoor Continuity 

Decks are not an outdoor afterthought—today, they’re part of cohesive design strategy. “Homeowners are embracing the trend of seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces to transform their homes into a tranquil oasis where boundaries between the inside and outside blur elegantly,” says Amanda Cimaglia, vice president of corporate communications for TimberTech. “A seamless integration of indoor and outdoor areas creates a sense of continuity, making the home feel larger and more inviting.”

To achieve this connectedness, she says the key is close attention to colors and textures of decking materials, as well as coordinated furnishings. Complementing indoor styling, including decking that mirrors the interior floors, helps to extend the interiors outside for a look that feels larger and uninterrupted. 

“Look for ways to create a seamless transition between the two areas, such as using sliding glass doors, large windows, or outdoor patio extensions,” Cimaglia says. You can also seek more opportunities to create connections with the outdoors, such as opening additional rooms of the home, like bedrooms, to exterior spaces like decks, gardens, or patios.

6. Monochrome Colors and Patterns 

While color palettes are largely natural and neutral in 2024, that doesn’t mean decks are plain or boring. “Instead of opting for bold colors, they’re choosing to spark some visual interest with unique pattern installations,” Hendricks says. Herringbone is one timeless pattern that’s a popular pairing with a monochromatic style. “Deck board patterns, paired with subtler color palettes, offer an easy and understated way to add dimensionality to the outdoor living space,” she says.

7. Posts, Frames, and Columns 

“Architectural elements like posts and frames are versatile additions to the deck that offer a place to install hanging chairs, greenery, and outdoor lighting,” Hendricks says. Posts and frames are also frequently used to delineate areas of a deck. “Typically, ‘zones’ around the outdoor living space are visually defined by surface-level elements, like picture frame deck boards,” she says. “Posts and frames can lift that definition to another level.”

Keeping with the simplicity of this year’s deck style trends, structural columns are often wrapped with deck boards. “Using the same materials as the deck can help maintain aesthetic continuity across your outdoor living space,” Hendricks suggests, noting that wrapping columns also helps protect them from wear like rot and staining.

8. Wood Alternatives

Engineered materials such as PVC and composite decking are increasingly popular for decks because of their numerous inherent benefits that create long-lasting structures. Many of these alternative products still offer the look of wood so that you’re getting a familiar visual style, but with more durability and less maintenance. “They resist fading, staining, splintering, peeling, cracking, and rotting, making them much more durable in the long run,” Cimaglia says. “This longevity translates to cost savings over time.”

Wood-alternative decking is also trending as climate concerns such as wildfires give homeowners in some regions reasons to invest in more fire-resistant building materials. Another reason people are choosing wood-alternative decking, is that these materials are friendlier to bare feet and paws.

9. Sustainable Materials 

Sustainability continues to play a significant factor in home design, notably including a preference for recycled materials and eco-conscious designs. “From surfaces to furnishings and decor, outdoor design for 2024 is all about leaving a lighter environmental footprint,” Adkins says. 

Many popular wood alternatives are eco-friendly, including composite decking which is often primarily made from recycled and reclaimed materials.  “Using recycled waste and scrap materials helps reduce the demand for virgin resources and minimizes the amount of waste sent to landfills,” Cimaglia says. Trex’s composite offerings, for example, combine polyethylene plastic film, like repurposed grocery bags, with industrial wood scrap and sawdust. 

You can also look beyond deck boards for sustainability. Integrated lighting is a common upgrade for deck design, and sustainable features like solar-powered railing post caps offer targeted illumination without requiring electricity.