20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space (2024)

While an open-air deck is great for soaking up the sun, covered decks provide almost endless options for entertaining. A simple covering can add shade to a yard, and, in some cases, even provide protection from the rain so you can enjoy fresh air even on a drizzly day.

Deck coverings also don’t have to completely enclose the space; pergolas make attractive, stylish covers that still allow for plenty of sunshine. It can also help add greenery to your deck with climbing vines and plants. Other deck coverings, such as hanging breezy, opaque curtains, can make your yard feel more private if you don’t already have a fence.

Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly covered deck ideas that can upgrade your patio with simple style, or inspiration for dressing up an existing attached deck covering, these ideas for covered decks will help you create a relaxing, comfortable outdoor room.

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Modern Deck Pergola

20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space (1)

The white covering extending over the deck from the side of the house has a modern feel thanks to the simple, clean columns used to support it. The mix of wood paneling with white siding also helps the deck feel like its own space separate from the rest of the house. Dressing up the area with colorful throw pillows, furniture, and hanging plants helps a modern deck feel a little more casual.

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Provide Shade with Greenery

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If you’re willing to wait for plants to grow, the draping vines covering this pergola provide natural shade to the covered deck. The leaves and stems hanging through the wood beams also help draw the eye upward and add color to a largely-white area. Since the deck is set up for outdoor dining, a hanging string of lights also helps the area function for day or night.

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Sloped Deck Covering

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A slightly sloped covering helps add high ceilings to this covered deck. This type of structure adds drama to an outdoor space while also sheltering from rain and sun. The placement of the wood beams also helps frame the pool in the rest of the yard, highlighting the views from the deck.

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Cozy Covered Deck Ideas

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The natural wood beams covering this deck fit well with the Bohemian style throughout the space. The beams are also a good opportunity to install outdoor lighting, such as wood pendant lights. Since the deck is completely covered, it’s protected from the elements and easier to style with an outdoor rug, plush furniture, and throw pillows and cushions.

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Modern Deck Covering

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A few support beams are all that’s needed to add the sloped wood covering for this deck. Connecting the deck covering to the home makes construction a little easier than a freestanding structure, and provides privacy on one side from the walls of the home. Matching wood flooring on the deck helps this space feel modern and relaxed.

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Budget-Friendly Deck Covering

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The existing covering for this deck is just a few simple wood beams, similar to a pergola. But weaving long pieces of fabric (or even curtains) between the beams adds shade and style in a simple DIY. This budget-friendly deck covering idea can also be taken down easily and stored for the winter when the weather turns chilly.

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Attached Covered Deck

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This stylish covered deck uses an overhang from the home for shade. The wood beams in the ceiling almost match the wood used on the deck, which gives the space a cohesive, rustic feel. Accents of color, such as the sage green trim, offset with the light green siding used on the home and create a calming feeling.

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Screened-In Deck

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Screening in three quarters of this covered deck makes it usable for most of the year. If you want plenty of coverage from the elements, consider adding a similar wooden roof overhang to your deck, then screening in the sides to help keep out pests. Installing a fireplace in the center also creates a great hangout spot for the cooler months of the year.

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Covered Deck with Screens

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This deck shows several options for creating shade and privacy. The wood beams running across the top still let in plenty of sun, but could be easily enclosed with draped curtains. Adjustable screens hanging along the side of the deck would make a simple addition to most deck designs, and add privacy and protection from the sun when unrolled.

Deck Overhang

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In a backyard where a pool takes center-stage, a covered deck is a great place to relax in the shade or dry off before heading inside. This design uses a built-in overhang to cover the seating area on the deck. If your home doesn’t already have much of an overhang, you might be able to extend it to cover your deck by adding in a few support beams.

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Simple Covered Deck with Balcony

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Create a deck space under an existing overhang, such as a balcony. This home uses the extra coverage provided by the balcony to add another area for relaxing outdoors. A simple slab in the backyard creates a space to place matching lounge chairs with plenty of privacy from the surrounding trees.

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Freestanding Deck Cover

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If you have an open-air deck but want more coverage, consider installing a simple wooden pergola. This deck covering doesn’t shade the entire space, but adds extra structure to one side and partially covers the main seating area. A pergola also adds the possibility of draping fabric or introducing climbing plants for more shade and style.

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Southwest-Style Deck Cover

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The design for this covered deck takes inspiration from popular home designs in the Southwest. Sloped tiles on the roof shield sun and rain, while the placement of the white walls and columns almost makes the covered deck feel like a tiny home with open-air windows. Since only half the deck is covered, this type of design also gives the option of soaking up the sun or relaxing in the shade.

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Deck with Privacy Curtains

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If you want budget-friendly covered deck ideas, gauzy curtains are one of the best options. With no extra building required, it’s simple to hang several curtains from any existing beams or structure around your deck. Not only do the white curtains on this deck add style, but they also add privacy and shade when closed.

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Simple Deck Beams

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This covered deck almost feels like its own outdoor living room. The beams covering the deck help enclose the space a bit, making it feel almost like an indoor room, while still letting in plenty of natural light. Faux grass covering the ground helps the space feel natural, while styling touches such as the bar cart and end tables help make the deck look as polished as a living room.

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Porch-Style Deck

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A small overhanging from this home creates an intimate seating area. This small-space covered deck idea can be inspiration for styling a tiny area in your home. Though the overhang for the deck isn’t large, it provides enough space for a couple of relaxing chairs, and feels more complete with hanging pendant lights.

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Deck with High Ceilings

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Your deck doesn’t have to be a huge, grand addition to your backyard. This covered deck utilizes the existing overhang of the home, and is tucked into a corner against two exterior walls, creating an ultra-private outdoor space. Placing the outdoor lounge along the shorter wall helps open up the space and make it feel roomy.

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Coastal Style Deck

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This covered deck with coastal style is almost completely enclosed, except for a small open-air space separated by columns. Creating a covered deck with windows adds protection from the elements and helps control the airflow throughout the space. Keeping the walls and ceiling white and using pale wood floors helps bring more light to the enclosed space.

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Covered Deck Dining Area

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Since this covered deck has a high ceiling thanks to an existing overhang, it makes a great space for outdoor dining. Complete protection from rain makes it easier to set up a dining table with wood and wicker chairs for warm-weather meals. The dark green hutch even adds a space to store dishes or utensils for dining al fresco.

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Cozy Deck Overhang

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An overhang connected to the home helps create a cozy, private space on this deck. Since much of the space is used as a walkway, a hanging egg chair is a great option for adding seating without making the area feel crowded. Brightly colored cushions and pillows also bring brightness to the shaded corner.

20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space (2024)

FAQs

20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space? ›

If you want a budget-friendly covered deck idea, gauzy curtains are one of the best options. With no extra building required, hanging several curtains from any existing beams or structure around your deck is a simple solution.

How to cover a deck cheaply? ›

If you want a budget-friendly covered deck idea, gauzy curtains are one of the best options. With no extra building required, hanging several curtains from any existing beams or structure around your deck is a simple solution.

How do I upgrade my deck? ›

7 Wooden Deck Upgrade Ideas You'll Love
  1. Pressure Washing. One of the most effective deck improvements is the easiest to do as well. ...
  2. Outdoor Area Rugs. One of the big reasons wooden decking shows its age is because the deck boards lose their color. ...
  3. Purge ANY Mold from Deck Boards. ...
  4. New Deck Boards.

What is the best cover for an old deck? ›

Interlocking Rubber Deck Pavers

Durable, low-maintenance, and easy to install, Sterling Roof Top Tiles are a popular option for use on top of old decks. These rubber pavers are made of heavy-duty rubber that can withstand the harsh outdoor elements.

What is the cover over a deck called? ›

The word pergola has come to be used interchangeably with patio cover. Patio cover. An attached structure that provides shade and/or rain coverage for a patio or deck.

How much does a 12x12 covered deck cost? ›

Average cost to cover a deck
Deck sizeTotal cost to cover*Total cost to build (deck & cover)
10'x20'$2,000 – $12,000$5,000 – $18,000
12'x12'$1,450 – $8,650$3,600 – $13,000
14'x20'$2,800 – $16,800$7,000 – $25,200
16'x16'$2,550 – $15,350$6,400 – $23,000
2 more rows
Feb 23, 2024

What is the least expensive deck to build? ›

When building a deck on a budget, wood is the cheaper choice. Make sure you choose pressure-treated lumber as using untreated wood is just asking for trouble.

Is it worth it to cover deck? ›

One big way to make a deck last long is to get a deck or patio cover. Even though they cost money as well, you won't have to have as many repairs. A cover will protect your deck from rain and potential debris, and it will keep the sun off of it on hot days. This will be a sure-fire way to keep your deck protected.

How do I make my deck look better? ›

Deck Upgrades
  1. Improve the flow of traffic by moving the stairs. ...
  2. Refresh a plain wooden deck with stain. ...
  3. Hide the dead space under the deck by adding a skirt. ...
  4. Fill in blank spaces around the deck with plants. ...
  5. Create privacy with screens. ...
  6. Add architectural details with an overhead structure.

What is the cheapest way to cover a deck? ›

Shade sails are a great option if you're looking for an inexpensive way to cover your patio or deck, not to mention the fact that they look cool and are pretty easy to DIY. They come in many shapes and sizes and are moveable.

What is the best cover for a deck? ›

Pergolas are one of the most popular deck covering options. Whether you're building a new deck, or just looking to enhance your current deck, consider attaching a pergola to the side of your house. This can make the pergola appear as an extension of the house for a more built-in look.

What can I put over an existing deck? ›

Instead of ripping out or recoating your old deck boards, you place new wood or synthetic decking right over your old deck. Several companies make tiles out of composite or exotic woods like ipe that you just lay down and snap together. Plastic grids underneath the tiles allow for airflow, which helps prevent wood rot.

What is the longest lasting deck material? ›

In comparison to wood, PVC, aluminium, and steel, composite decking is the longest-lasting material for your deck. Its overall longevity, aesthetic qualities, and low maintenance make it the most desirable material to use.

What is the best material for covered porch decking? ›

Decking of composite is the most weather-resistant material and requires nearly little maintenance. If you want to build a beautiful deck that will endure for a long time, composite decking is the best option, whether evaluated in terms of long-term investment expenses or time saved on maintenance.

What is the best product to put on a wood deck? ›

Tinted sealers (also called translucent or transparent stain) are like a clear sealer with some colorant added. This is the most common product used on most decks, since it provides good protection against graying and cracking while allowing the natural grain of the wood to show through.

Which deck resurfacer is best? ›

The Best Deck Resurfacers to Refinish Your Outdoor Space
  • Best Overall. Olympic Rescue It 3 gal. Timberline Deck Resurfacer. See It.
  • Best Bang for the Buck. INSL-X SU092209A-01 Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip. See It.
  • Best Tintable. Cabot DeckCorrect Tintable Satin Mildew Resistant. See It.
May 21, 2021

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