If your garden needs a space for you to chill outside, or throw an alfresco lunch, you've still got time to get it sorted in time to enjoy it this spring/summer season.
Decking is the easiest and most cost-effective way to create a brilliant outdoor area. And it’s practical too, as it gives you a flat and even surface for furniture, especially if your garden has a slope. To build your deck, head to Wickes - it has literally everything you need.
Let's begin with timber – all of Wickes timber decking is FSC® certified and is available in a variety of sizes (both width and length). For the natural look, opt for timber decking, which is designed to be reversible making it easier to install. It can also be painted or stained if you want to coordinate it with the rest of your garden. However, it does need regular maintenance so you need to keep that in mind. The other option is composite decking which resembles timber and needs very little maintenance. It is hardwearing and resists fading.
Once you’ve got your timber, you need to source the other materials and tools to finish the job. Here too, Wickes is your one-stop shop, offering everything you need, from quick-setting concrete to decking joints, screws, stains, oils and wood preserver, plus tools such as cordless drill and saw.
Need advice on what to buy and how to install your deck? Head to the Ideas & Advice decking section at Wickes. There you’ll find step-by-step guides on each stage of building a deck, from from the tools and materials you need before you start (see the Useful Links at the top of each guide) to installation to adding lighting.
Once you have your deck installed, it’s time to think furniture, and here too, Wickes is the place to look. If you’re in to dining alfresco, have a look at their wide variety of garden dining sets, in both metal and wood, and decorative in style to more stream lined. Prefer to simply lounge around? Opt for a living room set for both sofas and armchairs. Again, there’s a style to suit you, from a slim, contemporary silhouette to a chunkier look that will definitely hold the space. If your space is bijou an outdoor armchair or sun lounger is just the thing.
Don’t forget shade. Thinking long-term, you could build a pergola for trailing plants to cover, providing you with a lovely green canopy. In the meantime, take a look at Wickes range of stylish parasols. Then there's lighting. If you're up for a bit more DIY, then you can install lights into your decking. Easier and quicker are festoon lights that are a fast and easy way to elevate the space, and spike lights are brilliantly portable, especially if you opt for a solar version which don't need sockets.
Finally, add your finishing touch – planters or pots filled with flowering plants that not only link your deck to the rest of the garden, but create your perfect alfresco oasis too.