Mix and Match Trendy, Revolutionary Deck Designs

When it comes to fashion faux pas, the only thing worse than clashing patterns is overly matching every item. Mixing and matching creates exciting contrast — and not just when you dress yourself, but also when you “dress up” your home. The trend toward mixing colors and materials has made its way outdoors, with enterprising homeowners getting creative with their decks.

When it comes to building a deck, or refurbishing an existing one, options abound. Design choices beyond simple considerations such as wood or composite, square or rectangular, open the door to creative outdoor environments that are truly unique and reflect your personal style.

The deck design experts at Deckorators point to several popular looks emerging in the mix-and-match trend:

Mixed materials

Retire that old rule that says all the materials you use for your deck must match. Your railing no longer needs to be made from the same material as your decking. Pairing wooden deck planks stained in a natural hue with a metallic railing and decorative balusters creates a fresh, exciting look. Dress up basic wood and vinyl deck posts with fiber-reinforced concrete postcovers that provide the look and feel of real stacked stone.

Playing with color

Metal balusters allow you to experiment with color. Available in finishes that mimic popular metals such as bronze, copper and stainless steel, as well as basic black or white, metal balusters also resist insect damage and rot — making them practical as well as pretty.

There’s also no rule that says all your balusters have to match. For even more personality, try mixing balusters: alternate different styles of glass or metal, or mix regular metal or glass balusters with lighted balusters. Using energy-efficient LED technology, lighted balusters connect to a standard 12-volt power source to create a soft glow.

Exploring accessories

Accessories like post caps and planters are great ways to enhance a deck’s visual appeal and usability. While metal and glass post caps are traditionally thought of as great complements for metal and glass balusters, they can also add pops of color to a monochrome deck. Metal post caps also coordinate well with wood and composite deck materials.

Log on to www.deckorators.com to see the Deck Visualizer tool, which allows you to mix different decking products to see how your personalized outdoor space might look.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.