If you're on the hunt for small garden decking ideas, these clever garden design solutions show that decking could be the answer you've been looking for to make your small plot stand out from the crowd.
Read on for design inspiration and tricks and tips for choosing the best decking material, colour, finish and layout to make your small outdoor space feel bigger and better.
And, once you've finished reading, get more practical advice on designing the best garden deck.
1. Combine decking with a mini patio area
To add design interest and visually enhance your small outdoor space, combining decking with a paved area. This will create an illusion of a larger, zoned space.
This decked area created by Anna-Carin McNamara benefits from a neutral patio area and a huge mirror, which makes the garden look twice the size.
2. Try small garden decking ideas that use vertical space
Just because your deck is small, that doesn't mean you can't make the most of floral displays on it. The trick is to use the walls. Here, on this balcony deck by @j_habite, the decking has been continued up the wall to provide hanging space for containers. The wrap-around approach makes for visual continuity, which makes the area feel bigger and more cohesive too. Clever.
3. Take every opportunity to create extra seating
Small garden spaces call for clever seating and storage solutions, so take note of any space that could be used for a custom-built seating area.
We like the way that the decking material is used to create a streamlined, wrap-around seating area in this decked garden by Norsu Home.
4. Stain your deck a light colour
We all know that light colours indoors make a room feel larger, and the same works outdoors with a deck, so choosing a light-coloured decking paint or decking stain makes good sense.
In this small decked area, the light wood of the deck stands out against the dark facade; the monochrome design scheme is completed with the Square Table And Chair Garden Set in Clay from Lime Lace.
5. Sociable small garden decking ideas? Incorporate an outdoor kitchen
Talking of space and garden dining... just because your deck is small, that doesn't mean you can't incorporate an outdoor kitchen in yours, just like you'd squeeze in a perfectly functional kitchen indoors. We love this neat idea by @seqdecks.
Find out everything you need to know in our guide to creating an outdoor kitchen.
6. Create wall to wall decking to exaggerate the garden's width
In small gardens you have to use all the design tricks up your sleeve. One is to exaggerate the garden's width with decking. You can do this by laying the boards widthways – their lines will draw the eye across the deck's width, making it seem wider – and by laying them right up to the boundary on both sides. You can soften the finished look by creating a green vista in the near distance – this will prevent your small garden from looking boxed in.
This enclosed garden in London has been designed by Honor Holmes Garden Design and benefits from a green space at the bottom of the garden that contrasts with the decking.
7. Save space with compact, multi-tasking garden furniture
If you do want some garden furniture out on your small garden deck, pick a set that has a small footprint. Dual-purpose pieces or built-in storage is a bonus, too.
The St Mawes Drinks/Planter Bar Table from Garden Trading has a steel trough in the middle - perfect for cooling drinks, or creating a green display.
Get more advice on choosing garden furniture.
8. Liven up small garden decks with potted plants
Small garden decking ideas and container gardens were made for each other, and you can fit in a plant or two in even the tiniest of decked gardens, balconies or terraces as this lovely decked area shows. Building a raised bed like this is a great idea for small decked areas – the streamlined nature of the container will make the area feel larger, and can be made to raise the height of the plants significantly, upping their impact.
Find out more about container gardening for small spaces.
9. Include a change in decking levels
If your small garden is on a slope, you've actually been handed a golden opportunity. Rather than trying to level it or dividing it into lots of different zones, creating decking on different levels will make it more usable and enhance the feeling of space.
Read more about designing a sloping garden to get the best from your deck design.
10. Turn your small deck into an outdoor room
A small deck is usually the perfect size for creating an Insta-worthy outdoor room, just like this one from one of our fave influencers, @deecampling. It doesn't need a roof like Dee's but you'll get more use out of it with some element of shelter. (And, yeah, we know this isn't actually a deck, but you get the drift...)
Find more inspiration for designing your outdoor room in our guide.
11. Use contrasting colours to enhance a small deck
Small garden decking ideas needn't just be about structure. You can make a big difference cheaply using paint. Deploying contrasting decking paint colours is a clever, distracting move in a small outdoor space; think contrasting the wall and deck colours, or even experiment by 'zoning' the deck itself, painting one half a lighter colour than the other.
This small all-over decked area has been enhanced by colour contrasts created with Cuprinol Garden Shades decking paint.