Start with how you'll use it
Before boards and colours, we ask: who uses the garden, and when? Toddlers need a safe, enclosed space near the house. Older children want the lawn for football and the trampoline. Grandparents need steady steps and a comfortable seat. A family that eats outside every summer evening needs room for a proper table.
See the whole garden from the table
The best family decks put the dining area where you can see the whole garden. That might mean a deck the full width of the house, or one turned at an angle to face the lawn. We'll check sightlines at the visit.
Keep lawn for play
It's tempting to deck the whole garden, but children need grass. We usually suggest a deck big enough for a table and chairs, with the lawn left clear. If the lawn is worn out in one spot, a deck can cover that area and leave the best grass.
Safety, sensibly
- Boards: capped composite is splinter-free and grippy when wet.
- Steps: wide, shallow and even, with visible nosings and a handrail if needed.
- Edges: on a raised deck, guarding with vertical bars or glass, never climbable horizontal rails.
- Gates: a self-closing gate at the top of the steps keeps toddlers on the deck.
- Lighting: small LEDs in step risers for winter evenings.
Built-in extras
A deck can include a sandpit with a hinged lid, storage boxes that double as benches, planters for growing strawberries or herbs, and a corner for outdoor toys. Built-ins keep the garden tidier and stop furniture blowing about.
Thinking ahead
Children grow fast. A sandpit can become a planter, and a play corner can become a seating area. If you might want a hot tub one day, tell us, so we can build that part of the frame stronger and plan the electrics.
Good to know
Can a deck include a sandpit?
Yes. We build a lined sandpit into the deck with a hinged composite lid that sits flush when closed, so it's part of the deck when not in use.
Can we add a hot tub later?
Yes, if we plan for it. A hot tub is very heavy, so the frame underneath needs to be designed for it from the start. A qualified electrician would fit its power supply.