“I like to be outside, by myself,” Dani said. “You can call me an introvert – I admit it. My job requires me to spend a lot of time with people, so if I can get a chance to relax all by myself, you’d better believe I take it.” When it came time to put a new deck on her home in Western MA, Dani had some definite design ideas in mind. “I wanted pretty and private,” she explained. “While still being able to enjoy the sun and the breeze.”
There are a number of ways to create private-feeling outdoor spaces. Creative deck design can involve using trellises, screening, plants, and even artwork to compose retreat-like areas that exist, serene and tranquil, within even the busiest metrowest MA neighborhoods. The choice and positioning of deck stairs and railings can also communicate a sense of enthusiastic welcome or genteel reserve to the passerby; your deck designer will help you make the right choices for the type of impression you’d like to make.
“The fire pit is by far the best part of our new outdoor deck,” Dani said. “The days are getting shorter now, and it’s been cold. But you turn on that fire pit, and grab a mug of hot cocoa, and it’s perfect for getting away from everything. I don’t bring my phone out on the deck. It makes it a space that’s truly relaxing. Even if you’re out there for only 10 minutes, you feel better.”
“One thing I really enjoy doing is reading,” Dani added. “I love getting absolutely lost in a good book. So as part of our creative deck design, I wanted to be sure there was space for reading. We chose a two-level deck, and our deck builders created a nook in the corner of the second level that provides shelter from the wind and has deck lighting built in. It’s been wonderful.”