Creating Two Cozy Outdoor Deck Spaces for the Spring One Room Challenge

Why? Because in the south, our outdoor spaces are an extension of the home.

In the last couple of years, the exterior of our home has been slowly evolving. It all started in the summer of 2020 when we had new windows installed and enclosed a falling-down screened porch into a mid-century modern-inspired sunroom. 2022 was the year we had a large backyard fence installed. Then, in 2023, our exterior renovation project focused on rebuilding two massive decks on the front and side of the house, replacing the original 1979 decks. In 2025, we had new vinyl siding installed in a beautiful moss green.

This year, we are currently waiting for the installation of our new garage door, which will complete the exterior renovations.

Once that is done, it will finally be time to give the front and side deck porches a new personality to match the rest of the house. And the Spring One Room Challenge is the perfect motivational push to get it done!

Both decks have gotten a little neglected during the exterior construction in the past years

Front Deck

That first summer after we had the decks built, I tried to give both the front and back decks a little retro glam and some fun little elements. Like a rare find of vintage vinyl furniture at an estate sale, combined with thrift store wicker furniture that I spray-painted in light blue. Eventually, I added colorful accents and planters from the At Home store. I even ordered a narrow dining table from Amazon for the front deck so we could enjoy meals outside.

I knew these updates were just temporary until we finished the exterior renovations, so I did everything with as small a budget as possible.

But in my opinion, the style I was hoping for wasn’t possible in those small updates because the house’s exterior wasn’t finished yet. I either used what I had or what my exhausted budget could afford.

We never truly enjoyed the spaces like I hoped we would.

Now, the vintage furniture needs repairs because the vinyl straps are breaking and the metal frames are rusting. Even when covered up during the winter months, the wicker furniture is now shredded beyond use. One of the black rocking chairs is broken.  The finish peeled off the dining table on the front deck. And I had to move every planter from the decks to the other side of the backyard fences because the dogs kept digging them up. Basically, I gave up on the cozy deck dream out of frustration.

New vinyl siding and a new garage door are two of the last exterior projects before we tackle the landscaping

Installing vinyl siding on our home last year transformed the look of our house.

I am once again inspired to create two casual outdoor spaces we can enjoy and that I have been dreaming of. Now that winter is over, it is time to get started.

Back Deck

Honestly, I hadn’t intended to share this project on this year’s Spring One Room Challenge. I really wanted to share the guest room renovations we started last Fall, which is about 90% already done. I haven’t shared a single post or photo of the space yet, and it would have been perfect to finish up during the Spring challenge.

But that isn’t going to happen – yet.

My husband and I are naturally transitioning to outdoor landscaping and improvement projects this Spring, and the idea to share our deck refresh came to me while we were standing on the front deck recently, trying to figure out where to put a new glass-top table and an umbrella stand. Literally on the very night that the Spring One Room Challenge link-ups were opening up! It was meant to be!

I don’t know what to tell you to expect in the final reveal

All I can really tell you is that it will look better than the neglected areas I have shared in this post.

While I am working on the details of the new look and design of both deck areas, there will be lots of clean up, hauling away of old furniture (or donating it), fresh paint color on the doors, new area rugs, new furniture and accessories, outdoor lighting, and of course, the charm of new planters and flowers.

More to come on that for week 2, as I figure out the new cozy looks for both decks.

Hugs,

Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.