Whether you love to grill for the family, take quiet naps in the sun or need to remodel the designated summer spot for ‘happy hour’ with friends, you can transform your backyard into an oasis with a custom deck or patio. Not only are they a great space to cook, relax and entertain, but they add beauty and value to your home.

Whether you are partying or just hanging out with friends, a well-designed deck can become your new favorite part of your home as it makes everything lively. Having a spacious deck is ideal for any homeowner looking to make the most of their outdoor living space while adding value to their home. A deck should not only be big enough to accommodate extra guests but also needs to spacious enough to accommodate the necessary fixtures and accessories you want to have for outdoor entertainment. Let’s look at what makes a good size deck for entertaining and help determine what works best for your current space.

The Average Deck Size

A small deck, intended for holding a round dining table with seating for four people, should measure at least 144 square feet. However, the average size of a deck tends to range between 300 and 400 square feet. Larger decks can be built with multi-level designs and bigger square footage depending on the space available in your yard. Generally, a deck should be wider with the longer side proportionate to the house. Deck sizing compared to your home is important, as a deck that is too large can make your house look smaller and can be inconspicuous if it is built too small. The general rule of thumb when building a deck is that it should not be bigger than the largest room in your house. However, if your deck is primarily designed for entertainment it may require a different approach because of its intended purpose.

What Determines a Good Size Deck for Entertaining?

Shape and Layout

Personal preference plays a big role when choose the shape and style of your deck. It requires a lot of skill and creativity when designing the shape of your deck to fit into the available space and at AllPoint we work with you to design the perfect deck to fit your outdoor space. If you have plenty of space, you have the freedom to design how you want your deck to look like. For example, you can simply have the lines of the deck running along the lines of your home or you can add some curves to the lines of your home to create contrast. Remember that curves add a feeling of softness and interest to your deck while straight lines give it a crisp, clean feel.

Outdoor Furniture and Equipment

How you plan to entertain plays a big role in how big you want your deck to be. You should consider the number of people your deck can hold comfortably at a time, including the activities you enjoy doing. The size of your deck will depend on the space you want to allocate for outdoor furniture, décor and accessories, and any other entertainment features. If you are planning to include a kitchen area or an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, you will probably need a bigger size deck to accommodate all the extra including grills, beverage refrigerator, counter space, etc.

Location

The space you have available for your deck installation will determine how big you able to make it. Evaluate your backyard and think of what will work best in the space available while still meeting your entertaining goals. Although most decks are built closer to the house for easier accessibility, you can also position it around focal points in your backyard such as a hot tub, fountain or water feature, or pool. A deck built along your house will be limited to the available space that is proportionate to your house. However, a deck located somewhere in your yard that offers a beautiful view gives you the ability to scale the size up without having to take house limits into consideration.

Choosing the Right Size Deck for Entertaining

Regardless of the look and feel you want to achieve when designing your deck, coordination with surroundings and your home is a critical aspect. The deck has to blend in with the size and shape of your home as well as the space available in your backyard. The first step towards determining the right size of your deck is to make a list of the things you want to use your deck for. Some people imagine their deck as a sanctuary for spending time alone or as a family while others design their decks with outdoor furniture and equipment for entertaining their guests. This means that your deck needs to be big enough to accommodate the number of guests you expect to entertain at a time including the entertainment equipment and furniture.

A good size deck for entertaining depends on how many people you need to accommodate, how you want to utilize your deck, and the size of your outdoor equipment like a grill, hot tub, patio furniture, and any appliances for an outdoor kitchen. It is important to consider the proportion and style of your house to determine the best size deck that blends well with your yard. At AllPoint, our team takes care of all the permits and ensures that all work meets state and local codes, while only using top-quality materials and name brands. Our craftsmen create decks that are not only timeless and beautiful, but they are built to last. Contact us and discover how you can enjoy your home even more, for many years to come.