DIY Deck Projects: Creating Custom Outdoor Spaces on a Budget

You want a new deck, and consider yourself somewhat of a DIY expert. When it comes to doing renovations on your home, your number one priority is making sure you don’t spend a lot of money, which is great if you want to be a bit creative with your next deck-building project.

If you want to make a deck look great on your property but don’t have a lot of money to spend, you’re in luck. There are many ways you can incorporate some modern trends in decking that don’t take modern spending to accomplish. From using sustainable materials to getting creative with some materials you may already have in the home, explore some DIY deck projects and ideas you can use to create a custom outdoor space on any budget.

What Is A Budget-Friendly Deck?

A budget-friendly deck is a deck that can be completed by spending small amounts of money or none at all! While there is always sweat equity involved in a decking project (similar to other home projects), you don’t have to go broke making a deck a glorious and custom exterior space you’ll love.  Budget-friendly deck doesn’t mean it’s not constructed beautifully, either. It just means it’s a creative use of space (maybe you already have an exposed porch you want to transform on a dime) that makes your exterior square footage as enjoyable to be in as your favorite interior spaces.

How Do You Get Started?

You can get started on your custom deck design by speaking to a custom deck builder. This is a deck construction specialist who helps people transform existing decks so they have a more enjoyable appeal, or they help people design new decks from scratch based on their design preferences and budgets. Even if you wish to DIY most of your deck project, your deck specialist will be essential in helping you plan out your project. They can help you do the following:

Pick Materials

Unless you already have the footers, headers, and foundation poured for your deck, you’ll need to have these materials as the base to get started. Your decking specialist will help you select the best materials to create your deck frame so it lasts, and you can go from there on your own.

Design Your Deck

Where do you want your deck? What will you use your deck for? How big do you want the square footage of your deck to be? These are all daunting questions for a DIY builder that a decking specialist can help you figure out.

Building Your Deck

Assuming you’re ready to build your deck and know exactly where you’re going to put it, it’s time to start construction. Here are some ideas for budget-friendly deck construction to consider.

Using Recycled Materials

You can use recycled or recyclable materials in your deck construction to make your deck complete. Ask a local hardware store if they have returned stain or paint, uneven decking materials, indoor-outdoor carpeting remnants, and other materials that you can purchase on the cheap to make your decking project go off without a hitch.

You can also shop for recycled plastics and metals at local rehabbing centers to help you make your deck cheaper to build. Even pallet boards can be taken apart or used as a base for a deck, and are often cheap or even free to acquire.

Using Solar Lighting

Building a DIY deck is about more than the construction being cost-effective, it’s about having a deck that won’t cost a lot of money to maintain in the long run. Since you want your deck to be useful by night, just like it is during the day, it’s wise to invest in solar lighting and other solar-operated fixtures to make your deck fully comfortable. Solar light comes from the sun, so it’s essentially free — all you pay for is the initial investment in the lighting structures.

Use What You Have

Look around your home for items you already have that you could use to help you build your new deck. Flower pots can be placed outside with sun-loving plants to make the space more engaging. Old rugs that can be used outdoors can be placed on deck floors instead of using new carpeting or tile. Old furniture pieces can be repurposed with outdoor materials to make them indoor-outdoor in style and function. Leftover siding and wood from previous home projects can be incorporated into the walls and railings of your new deck.

By using what you have, you reduce landfill waste and save money. Plus, you help clean out your house a bit and make your home less cluttered! It’s a win all the way around. Many of the budget-wise upgrade and repurpose ideas you use in your home for your bathroom, kitchen, and other areas of the home can be used in your deck-building project, so keep this in mind as you explore what items in your home you can transition into your indoor-outdoor space.

Wrapping It All Up

Now that you know what to do when it comes to creating your custom deck on a budget, it’s time to get started. Craft out a timeline for how you want your deck to get completed so you stay on target and don’t overspend. This way, your deck comes out looking amazing and doesn’t break the bank in the process.