We set a goal to enjoy our new deck by Labor Day and just squeaked in with a few days to spare. In case you can’t tell, I’m thrilled. John pointed the camera at me and I struck a goofy pose straight out of a Kids Incorporated moment.
We probably would have settled for a rickety card table and folding chairs, so we’re genuinely excited to have scored discounted end-of-season furniture that’s built to last. We do have more plans to finish the space (more on that below). We also have to wait until the wood is ready to stain and seal, which will deepen the color and give the deck a more polished look.
To stage the space, we placed our freshly sealed World Market table in the center of the deck, positioned between two seams in the boards. Once the wood shrinks slightly and receives stain or sealer, those seams will be less obvious and the color will be richer. There isn’t a huge amount of space on either side of the table, but there’s almost three feet of clearance—about 32 inches—since each board is roughly 6 inches wide.
Next came the fun stuff. We added acacia wood chairs we ordered from Joss & Main (we expect the wood tone to match the deck better after staining), plus pillows, a runner, and a few accessories. I couldn’t resist—decor shopping is my weak spot. I have pillow problems.
Here’s a closer look at that cheerful yellow chair.
On the table we used a runner we’ve had for a few years and a yellow thrifted dish to hold napkins and other outdoor items—like our yellow gurgle pot, a woven decanter, and some woven cups picked up at HomeGoods. The ikat-style outdoor seat cushion came from Garden Ridge, which has huge aisles full of options if you’re hunting for cushions.
Although some earlier photos make the sides of the table look tight, I cropped them that way to highlight accessories. Here’s a wider side shot showing the room behind the chairs (they’re pulled out a bit here but not fully):
With someone seated, there’s typically around 16 to 18 inches behind the chair for scooting by—not enough for a pirouette but plenty to slip past. We could push the table toward one side of the house later if we want more clearance, but so far this layout works well. We’ll share updates if we rearrange.
Now for the important things: the yellow ceramic fish that makes my heart sing.
We still have those bird napkins from Ikea that we used for Clara’s party—they keep reappearing in the store, and we stock up whenever we see them. Can’t resist.
I put together a small makeshift corner mainly for Clara so she has a little play zone. Eventually we’d like to add a larger, plush seat and several large potted plants to soften the wood and brick and discourage climbing the railing. The woven toy basket lives indoors and gets brought out in the evening when we’re using the deck.
I borrowed the green drum stool from the guest room (a HomeGoods find), and I spotted a small rabbit figure at Marshall’s for $12 that fits right in. Clara’s cactus toy (by Plan Toys) doubles as something I play with too, and the outdoor pillow is another Garden Ridge find.
We put everything out while Clara napped so she could enjoy a reveal when she woke up. She loved it—“ooh the pretty pretty deck!”—and immediately dove into the toy basket. Burger followed, lurking for his turn with the giant orange ball.
About those yellow chairs: they were an original dream from our mood board. I heard they retailed at Menard’s for around $39, but the best option for us was $51 with free shipping from Joss & Main. They arrived pre-painted in durable outdoor automotive paint and were sealed, so they needed no extra prep—unlike the table and other chairs. Fingers crossed they hold up long-term.
I worried the chairs might be too low for the table, but adding seat cushions brought them to just the right height and the arms tuck under the table so they can be pushed in. In my book, they’re the best seats on the deck. Burger seems to agree.
We had to add a little extra railing to meet county code, and it’s been useful—Clara uses it to climb up and down. Last night we also set up her old baby gate at the top of the stairs to keep both her and Burger safely on the deck while we hung out. It worked perfectly.
Future plans for the deck include:
- hanging large bulb string lights across the length of the deck
- adding more planters and plants to soften the edges
- bringing in a plush lounge chair for the play corner and adding more kid-friendly items like a sand and water table
- painting the electric meter to blend with the brick
- creating a small paver patio at the bottom of the deck steps for the BBQ
- building a more attractive gate to replace our temporary baby gate
- staining and sealing the deck once the wood has dried
- eventually painting the siding a medium gray to harmonize with the brick and mortar
Our freshly furnished deck is officially ready for summer. The patio on the other side of the house is teasing us for being neglected, but we’ll get to it soon. For now, let’s celebrate that the weird little alley we inherited with the house is gone.
Ding, dong, the alley’s dead!
That ugly electric meter beside the deck is on my to-do list to paint to match the brick, like we did at our previous house. Painting utility boxes can make surprisingly big visual improvements. If you plan something similar, check with your county first—some areas allow owners to paint their boxes, others have restrictions.
Here’s what the view looked like before we built the deck: a rotting balcony, weeds, and a direct sightline to the air conditioner.
And here’s the updated view now—no weeds, no rotting wood, and no air conditioner in sight. Big improvement.
Next upgrades we’re considering include replacing the sliding doors with French doors and tackling a few interior projects—either refinishing the basement or adding wainscoting/board-and-batten in the hallway near Clara’s room. We’ll share what we decide.
To wrap up, what’s your favorite part of the deck? I’m most in love with the yellow chairs and the ikat cushions. John’s excited about the big table he can fill with food. Clara is happiest with the inexpensive orange ball from Target. What would you pick?