This deck project is in partnership with Trex and Lowe’s
Welcome to our backyard and the reveal of our new Trex deck. The day has finally arrived and I’m thrilled to share the transformation with you. Thank you for joining our virtual deck reveal — it’s been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to show you every detail.
I have many photos to share, so get comfortable. If you missed the earlier posts, I wrote about how we designed and shopped for the deck and documented the build process. Those posts include helpful details if you’re planning your own project.
To help you visualize the flow: you’d step out of the dutch door from our recently remodeled kitchen and head down to the backyard where the deck now welcomes you.
For reference, we live in Seattle and our backyard faces the Puget Sound, so sunsets, water views, and glimpses of the Olympic Mountains are part of the backdrop.
Let’s head down to the backyard and start the tour!
The impact of this deck on our daily life has been huge. We love spending time outdoors now — the space feels inviting, comfortable, and immediately usable.
To give context, here’s what the backyard looked like when we bought the house three years ago.
Who doesn’t love a good before-and-after?
Before
Back then we had an ordinary cracked concrete patio and hadn’t even painted the house yet — a real double before.
And now …
After
I couldn’t be happier with the transformation. The new deck completely changed the look and feel of the backyard.
Before
After
Adding the deck even makes the yard feel larger and better defined. Our dogs have claimed it as their new playground and we love that it’s both functional and welcoming.
There’s plenty of usable space, and we arranged the furnishings into distinct areas to support different activities.
First, we created an outdoor dining area. Our table comfortably seats six, and with a large market umbrella it stays shaded during the day — perfect for breakfast, lunch, or relaxed family dinners. On holidays we easily add extra chairs and still have room to spare.
The deck is ideal for hosting larger gatherings, yet it’s cozy when it’s just the two of us. We set up a small seating area near a patio heater so we can watch sunsets and enjoy morning birdwatching comfortably.
I love the new chairs — they’re stylish and comfortable. Positioned to face the view, they sit on a rug that defines the space and adds color.
On the opposite side of the deck we placed a rounded sectional and area rug to form a larger conversation zone. The angled shape of that corner works perfectly with this layout.
There’s still room to add chairs, a fire fountain, or lounge seating as needed. The deck’s size and shape make it flexible — it will evolve with our needs.
Most of the outdoor furnishings we used came from Lowe’s, which made it easy to pair the Trex deck installation with furniture and rugs so the finished space felt complete right away.
This was a low deck installed over an old concrete patio, and it connects to our side yard via a double gate and a small concrete landing with steps that we installed previously.
I adore the railings — Trex Enhance in Charcoal Black. They create a bold contrast with our white brick home and tie in nicely with the black-and-white palette of our remodeled kitchen. They also complement the surrounding landscape and northwest greenery.
We planned matching railings for the side porch so both areas would feel cohesive. Trex’s charcoal railing worked on both the deck and the concrete porch, which was exactly what I hoped for.
The railings exceeded my expectations. I find myself going outside to walk up and down the steps just to admire them. They’re both beautiful and practical — they provide safety and a finished look.
Having railings means everyone can use the steps confidently — no more worrying about pets or visitors missing a step. Little conveniences like this make a big difference after a long wait.
Regular readers may notice our porch posts are finally complete, too. We’re still waiting on one gate, but that’s a story for another day.
We’ve been planting around the deck and gate areas, and it’s a joy to watch the landscaping fill in. Looking back at where we started, the transformation feels almost unbelievable.
See the comparison:
Before
After
When planning a deck, think beyond the structure: add plants, comfortable seating, rugs, and umbrellas to create an outdoor room that everyone will want to use.
Comfort is in the details: seating, shade, rugs, and accessories are what make a deck function like another room in your home.
Because our yard faces west, afternoons bring strong sun. Strategically placed umbrellas keep the deck comfortable on hot days and protect our eyes while we enjoy the view.
You don’t have to do everything at once. We’ve been improving our outdoor spaces steadily for nearly three years, tackling projects as our budget and time allow. Small, consistent steps add up.
I love the tiny details at night when all the soft lights come on — it feels magical.
I took a panoramic the other night so you can see more of the deck than a single photo can show. The new space has changed how we live — it’s become my office, our family dining area, and our favorite retreat.
I’ll be sharing more details and additional before-and-afters throughout the summer. Thanks to Lowe’s and Trex for partnering on this project, and thank you for following along.
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You can also find a short interior tour and previous exterior project posts if you’d like to explore more of our home.
Many of the furnishings shown were provided by Lowe’s. Decking and railings for this project were provided by Trex. Decking color: Saddle. Railings: Trex Enhance in Charcoal. Installation and furnishings provided by Lowe’s.
