Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of decks come together beautifully—and we’ve also seen common mistakes that can lead to frustration, unexpected costs, or a design that just doesn’t work as well as it could. Whether it’s overlooking important details in the planning stage or rushing into construction, certain missteps can make a big difference in the final result.
If you’re considering a new deck, here are six common design mistakes to watch out for—so you can avoid them and end up with a space that fits your home and lifestyle.
1. Not Thinking About How You’ll Use the Space
One of the biggest mistakes we see is homeowners jumping into a deck project without really considering how they plan to use it. The best decks aren’t just well-built—they’re designed with a purpose.
Mike, one of our estimators, has seen this play out many times:
“Some of the things you should be thinking about with your project is how you actually want to use it. If it’s a deck, what do you want to do on your deck? Is it having a place to eat? Is it having a place to just hang out or watch TV or have barbecues?”
Before starting, take a moment to picture how you’ll spend time on your deck. Will it be a dining space? A lounge area? A mix of both? Making these decisions early ensures your deck fits your needs from day one.
2. Ignoring How It Fits with Your Home
A deck should feel like it was always meant to be part of your home—not an add-on that doesn’t match. Choosing a design that clashes with your home’s architecture or landscaping can make the deck feel out of place.
Mike often reminds homeowners of the importance of this:
“One thing with early planning as it pertains to your home value or just the home vibe is designing something that looks like it belongs with your home—something that was designed with the home in mind rather than just being in a rush.”
The right design will complement your home’s existing style, materials, and colors, making your outdoor space feel cohesive and intentional.
3. Rushing the Design Process
Some homeowners are eager to get their deck built as quickly as possible and don’t take the time to fully explore their options. But skipping the design phase can lead to overlooked details, last-minute changes, and a final product that isn’t quite right.
Mike explains why taking your time is so valuable:
“The longer that we have to collaborate, the better. If we have a lot of time to be able to have conversations and bounce ideas back and forth, that just enables us to really create exactly what you’d like and to make sure your project is fully visualized by the time it’s installed.”
By allowing time for brainstorming and refining the design, you ensure that your deck will fit your lifestyle perfectly—rather than realizing too late that something is missing.
4. Overlooking Sun Exposure and Privacy
Too often, decks are designed without considering how the sun will hit them throughout the day—or how much privacy they’ll provide (or lack).
Mike often encourages homeowners to think ahead about these factors:
“Do you want it to be a dry area or do you want it to be full sun? Things like that—just envision after everything is completed how you’re going to enjoy it.”
If your deck is in direct sunlight all afternoon, you might want to add a pergola or shade structure. If it’s too open to the neighbors, incorporating privacy screens or strategic railing designs can help create a more secluded retreat.
5. Not Budgeting for the Features You Want
Many homeowners focus on the deck’s structure but forget about extra features like lighting, heaters, or built-in seating until it’s too late. Adding these later can be more expensive and harder to incorporate.
Mike has seen this happen often:
“As far as budgeting goes, early planning helps a lot because just imagine the time you can take to figure out exactly what you want—things like personalizations, lights, colors, heaters… you can decide and really brainstorm with plenty of time.”
Thinking through these details ahead of time allows you to budget properly and get the features you want without last-minute stress or extra costs.
6. Choosing a Builder Who Doesn’t Prioritize Design
Not all builders take the time to ensure your deck design is perfect before construction. Some simply hand over a rough sketch and move forward leaving you with surprises later.
Mike warns about this common issue:
“Unfortunately, a lot of builders just come out with a piece of graph paper, sketch out your project, maybe have some measurements… That doesn’t give a great representation of what it’ll actually look like.”
Look for a builder that offers 3D renderings and professional illustrations so you can see exactly what your deck will look like before construction starts. This ensures there are no surprises once the work begins.
Final Thoughts
A deck is a big investment, and avoiding these common mistakes will save you time, money, and frustration. The best projects come from careful planning, thoughtful design, and making sure every detail is considered before construction begins.
