Botanica Atlanta - Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance

Great backyard landscape plans make the most of a home's deck - after all, this is a great place to enjoy the landscape and gardens through most of the year. Your landscape designer might suggest subtle or more extensive deck improvements that will enhance the aesthetics of your garden plan while complimenting the architectural style of your home. When the deck and other landscape elements like gazebos and potting sheds coordinate aesthetically with the home, the landscape can reach its maximum potential. Here are some ideas to personalize a standard builder's-issue deck and better link the deck, the landscape and the home, all without changing the deck footprint.

Change the deck balusters. Decorative steel, aluminum and wood balusters can have a huge impact on the personality of your deck and there are many styles to compliment virtually every architectural theme. It is remarkable how this single change can transform your deck into an outdoor room.

Change the deck post caps. Metal, wood and ceramic post caps and finials are available in an endless array of styles. Low voltage and solar lighted options are available for visual impact, mood setting and safety at night.

Change the deck rail posts. Post covers can be installed over 4x4 and 6x6 posts to give a whole new look to your deck. Ornamental wood and metal sleeve styles or brick and stone veneer systems, even high density expanded polyurethane sleeves for no maintenance applications, are available in a variety of patterns and colors. Upgrading your deck posts can change a ho-hum deck into a stylish outdoor living retreat and frame your professional landscape design in the most complimentary way.

As a routine maintenance task that will enhance your deck's appearance, fall is a great time to pressure wash, stain and seal your deck. Protecting the deck's wood from the elements is a practical way to extend the life of your deck maximize its value. Since stains and sealers are best applied below 80 degrees, fall applications help insure an even coating that doesn't show overlap. Combination stain and sealers are available in natural wood colors like cedar and walnut, and can be applied easily and at low cost. The visual impact is big however - your deck will appear years younger. Best of all, the fresh stains provide a great color contrast to the landscape plantings beyond your deck and help them pop forward visually.

You and your landscape designer can find myriad ideas on how to dress up your wooden deck by doing a photo search on decks.com.