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Kids and the outdoors go well together and the more you can get your kids to play outside at home, the more peaceful, relaxed, and entertaining your property can be. Kids need outdoor play, and your deck is no exception.
While you use your deck to make entertaining outdoors easier and to keep an eye on the family while you’re out doing things outdoors, there are ways you can make your deck even more family-friendly. Whether you already have a deck you want to transform or your home is lacking a deck and you want to have one added for your kids to enjoy as much as you do, here are some ideas to consider.
It Starts By Choosing A Deck Builder
Hiring a deck builder for your Nashville, Tennessee property makes your deck project faster, and can be a more cost-effective solution than building your deck yourself. It also gives your deck a more professional appeal and allows the deck to last longer. Finding a deck builder can be simple: type in ‘deck builder Nashville’ in a search engine from your laptop or computer, and local ones near you will pop up.
You can then choose the deck builder in Nashville best suited for your needs based on reviews, availability, and how well a deck builder is able to work around your budget. Your deck builder will help make your deck more family-friendly so you have even more square footate for your home to enjoy at nearly all times of the year.
Safe And Stylish Deck Ideas To Consider
Safety and privacy are priorities for a family-friendly deck, but this doesn’t mean a deck can’t also be stylish and add to your home’s curb appeal. Here atre some safe and stylish deck ideas to consider; speak to your deck builder about the ideas you like most to see if they’re feasible with your budget and decking plans.
Privacy Railings
Privacy railings are usually solid in design so they cannot be seen or walked through. These railings help to make your deck more secure and private to keep onlookers at bay so your children can play on your deck in peace.
Privacy railings should be made from durable and weather-resistant materials that won’t splinter or fall apart. These materials can include decorative metal (including aluminum), vinyl, or composite.
Built-In Gate
If you have youngsters you don’t want leaving your deck but you still want to give them plenty of free play outside, consider adding a built-in gate to your deck. This gate should be installed at the top of your deck’s railing system to prevent young children (and pets) from either falling down the stairs or accidentally getting out.
Stimulating Elements
You can add stimulating elements to your deck to not only make it more family-friendly, but stimulating as well. Some stimulating kid-friendly elements to consider adding to your deck can be considered below.
Sandbox
A sandbox can be built into the decking system’s floor, complete with a cover so when the sandbox isn’t in use, the deck can still be used for other purposes. Your custom deck builder can help you design a sandbox any kid would love.
Chalkboard
An indoor-outdoor chalkboard wall can be a great addition to your decking system. Not only can the chalkboard be used by children to keep them entertained while adults also make use of the outdoor space, the chalkboard can be used by the entire family to play games, create chore lists, and more.
Firepit
A portable firepit can be added to any decking system for family use. If you want to roast marshmallows, enjoy your firepit during the nighttime to stay warm and have natural light, or just enjoy a campsite appeal without leaving your home, a propane-charged or wood-fueled firepit is an excellent and cost-effective addition to your deck.
Use Splinter-Free Materials
As mentioned above, it’s wise to use splinter-free or low-splintering decking materials when designing and building a family-friendly deck. This way, even if children and pets are barefoot or crawling on the deck floor, they’re less likely to get injured.
You can accomplish this by either using low-splinter or no-splinter materials, such as composite wood, or having your deck builder design and build a deck out of natural wood that is resistant to weather, moisture, and insects so it doesn’t have to be stained or painted often. Redwood and cedar are wise choices for this endeavor; keeping maintenance at a minimum for your family-friendly deck to prevent splintering and rough surfaces.
Add Decorative Elements
Decorative elements added to your deck makes it more inviting, which can help draw older kids outside to socialize and lounge. Consider decorative indoor-outdoor flooring so kids can lounge on the deck to do homework or plan activities with their friends.
Add floral and other shrubbery elements to your deck so you bring more of the outdoors to your space. This not only makes your deck more engaging, but can bring peace and improve mental health as well. If you install a hammock or hanging chair, you can even make an outdoor ‘book nook’ to encourage reading and relaxation while urging your family to get outdoors.
Building Your Family-Friendly Deck
As soon as you have your budget in mind, call your deck builder to help bring your family-friendly deck to life. You can upgrade an existing deck with modern elements and flooring or simply create a new deck from scratch. The sooner you start this outdoor project, the sooner you family can start enjoying your new deck!
Image Credit: depositphotos.com and unsplash.com
