It seems like every summer I do a little sprucing of both the front porch and the back deck. Both spaces are small—the deck especially—but they are big enough to enjoy. The front porch is the main entry and the back deck opens from the kitchen, so both are very visible from inside the house.
When we first moved in the back deck was completely exposed to the neighbors, which made it less inviting.
Aside from the lack of privacy, the deck was plain unattractive. We didn’t want to invest a fortune in a full renovation, so we chose temporary, budget-friendly updates. Someday we might replace the deck entirely, but for now our focus is simple improvements: trellises, paint, and plants. The space has evolved a bit over the years and continues to improve each season.
A few years ago we attached several attractive store-bought trellises to the railing, which proved to be an inexpensive and effective solution. We keep wisteria and evergreen vining plants in pots for year-round screening. The plants take to the space well and add a lot of life to the deck.
I especially love the view from the kitchen window in summer when everything is lush and green.
The vines do a remarkable job of softening and greening the deck with very little maintenance.
Last year we added an indoor/outdoor rug and filled the space with plants, then moved our larger furniture down to a gravel patio in the lower yard. A small teacart found its way to the front porch, where it worked nicely with the seating there.
This year our goal was to create a cozy little nest that fits the small footprint of the deck. We wanted furniture that felt comfortable but didn’t overwhelm the space.
We found four slipper chairs on sale that were part of a sectional set. Their compact shape is ideal for this deck and flexible enough to use elsewhere in the future. The cushions have removable outdoor fabric covers that wipe clean easily. Accent pillows and a small garden stool help complete the seating area.
To add shade without crowding the space, we ordered two five-foot umbrellas that are perfectly proportioned for the deck. They provide just the right amount of sun protection while still keeping the area open and airy.
Now we have a comfortable spot to sit, enjoy coffee, and even work on a laptop.
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