Creating Outdoor Living Retreats with Ground-Level Decks and Landscape Design

A well-designed and well-built ground-level deck is the foundation for relaxing and entertaining outdoor spaces. Adding expertly executed landscape design will make a backyard into an outdoor retreat.

Balancing the landscape design concept with a ground-level deck that complements the home’s aesthetics and blends with its natural surroundings is an art and science.

These outdoor oases have struck the right cords on all fronts.

Choosing Greenery Based on Yard and Climate

An outdoor patio is shown in this image with orange-cushioned furniture on top of it. There is a path to the deck with the seating area. The patio looks out towards mountains There are cacti and boulders beside the walls of the patio.

Plants are one of the first things to consider when it comes to landscape design. Start with a few larger shrubs or small trees, which will occupy the most space. From there, choose smaller perennial plants or ornamental grasses to fill the gaps around them.

The most important thing to remember when choosing plants is the Hardiness Zone of the property. Be sure to match each species' sunlight requirements to the deck's location. If planned carefully upfront, replacing and replanting can be avoided later.

For example, for homes in the desert, more drought-sustaining plants like cacti and yucca should be planted for homes in the desert. For homes in the Northeast, look for colorful perennials like hydrangeas that thrive in partial sun.

Planting various bushes, flowers, trees and grasses helps create texture and add interest. Remember to leave enough room around the plants for them to grow over time.

Finally, sometimes, simplicity is best. A well-manicured lawn can offset a deck area. Large pottery and plants of different sizes and shapes can make a deck feel cozy and welcoming with little to no effort.

Edge Borders to Create Clean Lines

A ground-level deck features a seating area, flower pots and is surrounded by grass.

Landscape edging defines the border of the yard or garden and prevents extra grass from creeping back in. Edging can be metal or plastic, depending on the budget or the homeowner's vision. Keep the top of the landscape edging around an inch above the soil to help prevent runoff from rain or watering.

If the homeowner doesn’t have a green thumb and isn’t interested in maintaining extra shrubbery, use rocks, mulch or gravel for a minimalist look with little to no maintenance.

Rock beds are an intriguing way to create a border between a deck and a lawn. Plus, it reduced the time needed to pull weeds as the grass and weeds are less likely to infringe upon the deck.

For ground-level decks, adding mulch or gravel over landscaping fabric greatly reduces the need to mow or weed any overgrown areas near a deck. Mulch and gravel come in different colors, creating an eye-catching pattern with less maintenance than actual plants.

Landscape Seamless Integration

An outdoor deck is located next to a plant bed.

Builders can achieve a seamless blend between the deck structures and their natural surroundings through thoughtful design and integration.

Starting from the design of the deck that flows naturally with the landscape, respecting the contours and features of the environment. Also, by selecting the proper materials and finishes that harmonize with the surroundings.

Last but not least, it's important not to forget to use plants and ground covers around the deck to soften edges.

Light Up The Landscape

Warm Summer Night In The Garden With Trendy Furnit 2024 10 18 08 39 46 Utc

Integrating lighting into a deck and landscape design adds to the cozy feel of a backyard, even when the sun goes down. Trees, bushes and flowers of varying size can form a border around a deck, and lighting nestled at the base can draw attention to them and create a warm vibe.

Lanterns on the ground or attached to walls are great ways to create a welcoming vibe, and sprinkling string lights around a deck can create a beautiful glow. Additionally, solar or low-voltage lighting can be a sustainable, cost-effective way to light up the space.

How Level.Up Can Help Revitalize a Deck

Bison Level.Up pedestals give builders and contractors the ability and freedom to create ground-level decks that fit any modern landscaping trend.

Level.Up pedestals eliminate the time, mess and labor needed to dig and pour concrete footers so customers can focus more energy on seamlessly integrating their landscape design into their new, custom deck.