Installing decking in a garden has become one of the most popular ways to extend your living space and create a stylish, functional area for entertaining, relaxing, and connecting with nature. With materials, layouts, and finishes more diverse than ever, decking no longer means a flat wooden platform. Homeowners and garden designers are getting more creative—and so can you.
In this blog, we’ll explore how others are installing decking in their gardens, showcasing popular methods, emerging trends, and some clever, less conventional ways of incorporating decking into your outdoor space. Whether you're working with a sprawling lawn, a compact courtyard, or even a balcony, you’ll find ideas here that inspire and inform your next garden transformation.
1. Traditional Ground-Level Decking
Let’s start with the most common form of garden decking: ground-level decking. Installed directly over the soil or lawn, this method typically involves:
- Clearing and levelling the area
- Adding a weed membrane and gravel base for drainage
- Constructing a frame with treated timber joists
- Fixing the decking boards horizontally or diagonally across the frame
This method suits flat gardens and is perfect for creating a clean, accessible area for dining furniture, BBQs, or a sun lounger zone. Many choose softwood for its affordability, but composite decking is becoming increasingly popular for its longevity and low maintenance.
2. Raised or Multi-Level Decking
Homes on slopes or uneven terrain benefit from raised or multi-tiered decking. This approach turns a previously unusable incline into a functional outdoor area with layered platforms, steps, and balustrades.
Raised decking can also:
- Connect indoor and outdoor spaces via patio doors
- Include built-in seating or storage beneath
- Create zones for dining, lounging, and play areas on separate levels
Many homeowners are now integrating glass or cable railings to preserve views and add a modern edge.
3. Floating Decking (Freestanding Platforms)
Floating decks, also called island decks, are detached from the house and installed independently on a flat area. They’re perfect for gardens where you want to create a dedicated seating zone away from the house—for example, under a pergola or in a sunny corner.
Floating decks are:
- Easier to install (no need to attach to house walls)
- Flexible in placement and design
- Ideal for renters or temporary solutions
Homeowners are using floating decks as bases for hot tubs, garden rooms, or even outdoor cinema spaces.
4. Decking Around Trees and Plants
One of the more organic trends is integrating decking with nature, particularly trees. Instead of cutting down existing greenery, many are building decking around mature trees, creating a unique design feature and retaining the natural feel of the garden.
Some methods include:
- Cut-outs in the decking to allow trunks to pass through
- Bench seating built around trees
- Using reclaimed wood for an eco-friendly, rustic look
This style is especially popular in boho, Mediterranean, and tropical-themed gardens.
5. Rooftop and Balcony Decking
Don’t have a garden? No problem. Decking is also being installed in urban settings, particularly on flat rooftops and balconies. With the right waterproofing and load-bearing structure, you can create a luxurious outdoor space in even the smallest apartments.
Balcony decking usually uses interlocking tiles or modular decking systems, which are lightweight and often don’t require screws or adhesives. Popular choices include:
- Composite deck tiles
- IPE or teak tiles for a high-end finish
- Artificial turf borders for softness and greenery
Rooftop installations often feature container plants, recliners, and pergolas, transforming dead space into a peaceful retreat.
6. Curved and Circular Decking
Move over rectangles—curved decking is stealing the spotlight. Using heat-bendable composite boards or clever carpentry techniques, designers are creating rounded platforms that soften the look of a garden.
Popular applications include:
- Decking that curves around a firepit
- Circular decks beneath a gazebo
- Arched paths made of deck boards leading through garden zones
While more complex to install, curved decking can be a stunning centrepiece in both large and small gardens.
7. Indoor-Outdoor Flow Decking
A rising trend among home renovators is to create seamless transitions between inside and outside. This is done by aligning the decking height with the interior floor and using similar materials or tones.
Some even run the same composite decking into indoor sunrooms or conservatories, blurring the line between the two zones.
Bi-fold or sliding glass doors enhance this effect, creating a larger, brighter living area that spills into the garden.
8. Garden Rooms and Decking Combos
Garden offices, yoga studios, and gyms are increasingly popular. Many people are building garden rooms at the back of their plots and using decking to extend the usable space in front.
Decking provides a dry, clean area for:
- Outdoor desks
- Coffee tables and chairs
- Yoga mats or weights
This combination offers the best of indoor and outdoor functionality—particularly valuable post-pandemic.
9. Narrow, Vertical, or Side Yard Decking
If your space is narrow—like a side return, alleyway, or courtyard—decking can still work. Slim boards installed lengthwise can make areas appear longer, while vertical decking (on walls or fences) adds visual texture.
Ideas include:
- Wall-mounted planters on vertical decking panels
- Narrow bench-style seating along the edge
- Creating outdoor showers with slatted decking and drainage
Even stairs or decking ladders can transform overlooked areas into appealing, usable zones.
10. Decking with Built-in Lighting
Lighting is no longer an afterthought. Decking with integrated LED lights has become a must-have feature in modern gardens. Popular ways to integrate lighting include:
- Recessed LED spotlights along edges or steps
- Strip lights under railings or seating
- Solar-powered lights embedded in the boards
This not only adds ambience but also improves safety and usability at night.
Decking is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. As we’ve seen, today’s homeowners are transforming outdoor spaces in exciting, innovative ways—from traditional ground-level platforms to balcony installations, curved designs, lighting integrations, and eco-conscious materials.
Whether you want a sleek, modern look or a rustic, tree-hugging retreat, decking offers versatility, aesthetic value, and long-term function. And with installation options to suit every size and budget, there’s no excuse not to get creative with your garden space.
So, next time you think of adding decking to your home, look beyond the basics. There are more ways than ever to make your outdoor area an extension of your lifestyle and personality.