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Building a wood deck with a design and plan makes it easy There’s a great selection of wood deck designs you can download from the internet and this site.

You’ll also find guides to designing your wood deck from scratch, and clever computer software which makes custom deck design a breeze.

With deck design software you can quickly make modifications and changes to your design and see how they will look. You can even change the color of your deck and help you decide if it's the correct color for the deck surroundings.

Take a little time to think about what kind of wood deck design will best suit your individual needs and have fun designing your dream deck.

The seven most important things to keep in mind when designing your wood deck:

1. Who is going to use the deck?

Do you plan to entertain large crowds of people on your deck, or will it mainly be used by you and your family, and occasional friends and neighbors dropping by? What would be the optimum size for the deck?

Are there any access or safety considerations you need to factor in for elderly or disabled folks, or children who may be using the deck?

2. How will the style of the deck fit in with the architectural style of your home?

Does your house have a sleek, contemporary look or does it have more of a rustic charm?

3. What kind of budget do you have in mind?

The type of material you choose for the deck will largely determine the cost. Using wood composite material rather than natural timber will greatly reduce the overall cost of the deck, as well as the amount of ongoing maintenance required.

The size of the deck, the complexity of the design, and how much of the deck you plan to build yourself are all key factors in determining the overall cost.

4. Will you need easy access between the deck and the house?

If you plan to do a lot of entertaining, you may want to have easy access to the deck from the kitchen, or perhaps you could design the deck as an outdoor extension of your living room.

5. Are there privacy concerns?

It’s important to think about how visible your deck will be from your neighbor’s property, and also how visible your neighbor’s property will be from the deck.

6. Think about the weather.

Is the position you’ve chosen for the deck sheltered from strong winds or direct sunlight? If your local climate is very sunny, you might consider including a deck cover of some kind.

7. Find out about local building codes and regulations.

It’s absolutely essential that you check with your local authorities to make sure your deck design complies with all the relevant building codes. You may need to obtain formal permission, by submitting your designs and plans, and making any changes which are requested.

For more information on designing a wood deck, please read these articles:

What to consider when designing a deck

Comparison of deck building materials