This deck project is in partnership with Trex and Lowe’s
Welcome to our backyard and the reveal of our new Trex deck! The big day is finally here, and I’m thrilled to share this transformation with you. Thank you for joining our virtual deck reveal—your enthusiasm (and the tasty snack ideas some of you offered) made this extra fun.
I have plenty of photos to show, and if you missed the earlier posts about how we designed, shopped for, and built the deck, you can catch up later. Those posts include useful details if you’re planning your own deck project.
To help you picture the layout, this is the view you’d have stepping out of our dutch kitchen door into the backyard and heading toward the deck.
For reference, our home is in Seattle in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Our backyard faces Puget Sound, so we enjoy sunsets, water views, and glimpses of the Olympic Mountains.
Let’s head down to the backyard and take a closer look.
This deck has made such a difference in how we use our outdoor space. It feels inviting and comfortable, and we genuinely love spending time out here.
To put the change in context, here’s a look at what the backyard looked like when we bought the house three years ago.
Who doesn’t enjoy a good before-and-after?
Before
Back then we had an ordinary cracked concrete patio, and the house hadn’t even been painted yet.
And now …
After
I couldn’t be happier with the transformation. It feels so much more finished and welcoming.
Before
After
The new deck even makes the yard feel larger and more connected to the house.
Our pups have absolutely claimed the deck as their playground, and we’re finding so many ways to use the space.
The deck allowed us to create several functional areas: an outdoor dining spot, cozy seating for two, and a larger conversation area with a rounded sectional.
First on our list was a dining area. We finally have a table that comfortably seats our family of six, and with the large market umbrella it’s shaded for daytime meals. Over a holiday weekend we easily fit extra guests without feeling cramped.
We also created a cozy two-person seating area near a patio heater for cool evenings. These chairs are comfortable and stylish, positioned to enjoy the view. A rug ties the space together and adds a pop of pattern.
The opposite corner features a rounded sectional and rug that form a larger conversation area. The deck’s angled corner fits the furniture nicely and leaves room to add more chairs or a fire fountain when we want.
Most of our outdoor furnishings were sourced through Lowe’s, which made pulling the whole look together convenient. After the deck was installed—over the existing concrete patio in our case—we connected it to the side yard with a double gate and a new concrete landing.
I adore the Trex Enhance railings in Charcoal Black. They create a striking contrast against our white brick house and echo the black-and-white palette of our remodeled kitchen. They also complement the surrounding northwest landscaping.
We extended the same railing style to the side porch so everything feels visually connected. The railings turned out even better than expected and they add a safety element we’re grateful for—no more worrying about someone accidentally stepping off the porch.
We’ve been planting around the deck and gates and it’s already beginning to fill in. It’s fun to compare the dramatic before-and-after of the side porch.
Before
After
Plants and thoughtful furnishings make the deck feel like another room in our home. We added umbrellas to block the west-facing afternoon sun and make the space comfortable on hot days.
You don’t have to finish everything at once. We’ve been improving our outdoor spaces in stages over several years, and steady progress gets you where you want to be.
I love when the lights come on in the evening—those little details make the deck magical.
I even took a panoramic at sunset so you can see more of the space than a single photo allows. The deck has truly changed how we live outdoors and exceeded our expectations in every way. It’s become my office, our family dining area, and a favorite place to relax.
I’ll share more details and additional before-and-afters throughout the summer. Thanks to Lowe’s and Trex for partnering on this project and to you for following along.
Want to stay in touch with future home updates and projects?
Sign up for the newsletter to receive updates by email and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes stories. I’ll also post more on the interior and other exterior projects in the weeks ahead.
Sources for many of the furnishings were provided by Lowe’s. Decking: Trex Saddle. Railings: Trex Enhance in Charcoal. Installation and furnishings provided by Lowe’s.
