Arrange your deck as an extra room, so that this place of passage becomes a space of conviviality. Here are all the tips from our experts to make your deck a real little garden.
Closed space, with sometimes unsightly walls and lacking in light, the deck is a precious space in town or a house. It is a shame not to exploit it. With a few ideas and the right tips, make your deck a friendly space where neighbors meet, and family get together.
Prepare the ground for your deck
In an interior courtyard, deck or city garden, the smaller the area and without light, the more difficult it is to arrange. Calling on a landscaper seems the simplest option for a mini perennial garden. You can get started by taking the time to prepare the ground well, look for plants that require little light, make set-up sketches, and start sober.
Bring light to the deck
Once again, mirrors are great for lighting up the deck. All reflective surfaces are your allies: fountains, basins, metal objects … The choice of plant varieties allows you to nuance the color palette. Use, for example, silver leaves. At night, we put on artificial lights: candle holders, lampposts, high sconces.
We are thinking of illuminating the paths for more safety but also to polish the atmosphere. We do not forget the long garlands to dress some beds and bring a touch of magic.
Camouflage unwanted people
In a building courtyard or the center of a house, there are always some annoying elements. The garbage or bicycle room, shabby walls, ducts, pipes … Impossible to get rid of it. Exterior paintings are the fastest solution, provided you have the condominium’s right or the town hall.
These elements can also be hidden behind removable partitions, canisses, or screens treated for the exterior. The best is to use trellises with climbing plants, tubs planted with bamboo, or create green walls as recommended by the two landscapers. Vertical gardens are trendy and easy to achieve. The must, a dark paint to attenuate an unsightly wall, associated with plants in the foreground that will redraw a composition.
Isolate the deck from noise
In town, the main concern is sound insulation, so as not to disturb the tranquility: Contrary to popular belief, plants alone do not absorb noise. A vegetated noise barrier, yes. If we draw a line between the source of the noise and the receiver’s ears, the wall must be at least as high as this line. Install evergreen and broad foliage plants to attenuate noise, double it with a fence for double insulation. Otherwise, treat yourself to a plant wall to install. Their thick support combined with plants is very effective.
What plants to use for your deck?
Once the composition of your arrangement is installed, it is time to look at the plants’ choice. The deck is a space where there is a lot of shade and little wind. A deck is a place of daily life in any season, and it is preferable to use persistent plants.
Plants from dry land (cacti, aloe vera, agave, etc.), which require little watering and do not clutter up small spaces, are recommended. Arrange them according to their height.