• Design and build a deck to serve as an inviting outdoor space.Deck de madeira image by CarlosNeto from Fotolia.com
  
  A deck provides a readily available outdoor space for cooking, socializing or just curling up in a comfortable place with a good book. When you plan your deck area, consider its placement, how you'll use the space, and your general aesthetic sense to ensure the space fits well with the rest of your home and the uses you plan for it.
  
  

Partially Covered Deck

• If your deck is on the east or west side of your home, covering the area is a wise choice. By placing a partial covering over your deck, you can ensure that harsh sunlight won't keep you from using it at certain times of the day. If you cover only part of the deck, sun lovers will be able to soak up the rays while those who want to avoid direct sunlight will be able to retreat to a shaded haven.
  
  

Tree-Hugging Deck

• If an established tree is in the way of deck construction, consider integrating it into your design. Create an opening in your deck floor and allow the tree to stick up through it. Build benches around the tree to fully integrate it into the deck design as part of the deck's aesthetic.
  
  

Serpentine Deck

• Move away from the standard square or rectangular deck, and select a more creative option by creating a serpentine deck. Make the perimeter of your deck curvy and rounded. This less typical deck plan adds excitement to your deck and will make it stand out from others that dot your neighborhood.
  
  

Cantilevered Deck

• If you lack the flat ground necessary to support a standard deck, you may be able to build a cantilevered deck--one that appears to jut out into space without obvious support. While significantly more difficult to build, a cantilevered deck can be an attractive outdoor space. Because of the potential hazards involved in building a deck of this nature and the important engineering principles that must be heeded for structural integrity, you should seek expert assistance to build such a deck.