Being outdoors is one of the biggest draws to life in the Poconos—and we think your home should offer you the opportunity to enjoy that natural beauty as much as possible. That’s one reason that so many of our home designs feature decks off the back of the home that allow you to have a private seat for Mother Nature’s show!
The Arden, the Baldwin, and the Jellico plans all have great decks off the back of the house, while other models, such as the Cartwright have a porch in front of the house in addition to a deck behind.
What can you do to deck out your deck so that you can enjoy it more? Here are a few suggestions.
- Extend your Great Room: Put comfortable indoor/outdoor furniture on your deck and arrange the furniture like you would in your family room or Great Room. Use soft lighting that illuminates without blocking your view so that you can enjoy the evening skies.
- Consider an Outdoor Kitchen: For those who love eating (and cooking) outdoors, you don’t have to limit yourself to just a grill. You can build the grill into your deck and even include countertops and maybe even a fridge. You may want to build in seating as well. Then when you have guests for an evening meal they can relax on the deck with you while you cook and you won’t have to run back and forth to the (indoor) kitchen.
- Focus on the Fire Pit: Adding a fire pit creates a natural place for people to congregate. There’s something comforting about gathering around a glowing fire that seems to stimulate conversation. Wood-burning pits aren’t your only option. You may be able to plumb the pit so it can be fueled by propane or natural gas. Then it can be turned on or off whenever you want.
- Open Air Bar: If putting in an outdoor kitchen seems like too much of a stretch you may want to consider building an outdoor bar. It adds a bit of flair and sophistication to your deck. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a drink with friends outside without having to run back inside constantly to fill glasses.
- Consider a Cover: Decks are great unless the sun is beating down on you or it’s raining. But if you cover part of you deck, you can enjoy being outside anyway. While retractable awnings are an option they tend to weather and need replacing. Building a permanent covering over part of your deck allows you to enjoy sunlight when you want and retreat into the shade (or out of the rain) at other times.
