This post is in partnership with Raymour & Flanigan.
Hey there, friends! It has been an absolute whirlwind of renovations over the past few months, and I still haven’t managed to wrap up my kitchen reveal post (I promise it’s coming—things have been absolutely nutso over here!).
If you follow me on Instagram (which you should if you want real-time updates and behind-the-scenes snippets of our DIY and design adventures right here!), you may have caught a glimpse of our latest project the-plans-for-our-deck-makeover. We dove straight from our massive kitchen and flooring renovation into a full-blown deck overhaul. Talk about a busy schedule!
Tearing Down the Old Deck
Our previous deck was in dire shape. We originally tore it down back in March, but thanks to an onslaught of spring showers in April and early May, plus a few unexpected material delays, progress was slow. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, our contractor has been able to get to work, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! With the warm weather approaching, I am beyond excited to decorate this space and host a summer barbecue for family and friends!
Here’s what the old deck looked like…
The original construction had a serious design flaw—the boards were installed too close together, which led to moisture build-up and, eventually, severe rotting. Over time, the deck became increasingly dangerous to walk on. Last summer, our son’s friend even put his foot straight through one of the planks! That was the final straw. Redoing the deck before this summer was an absolute must.
Revamping the Outdoor Living Space
Aside from the deteriorating deck, our outdoor furniture had also seen better days. Plus, our fire pit patio never had permanent seating (we constantly dragged chairs from the deck down to the patio), so this renovation presented the perfect opportunity for a complete backyard makeover!
I am thrilled to be collaborating with one of my favorite furniture brands, Raymour & Flanigan, for this project. Designing both the deck and patio around their beautiful pieces has been such a fun process, and today, I’m excited to share my plans for the deck portion. I’ll save the patio reveal for another post!
The Awning Upgrade
Some of you may remember the manual roll-out awning that came with the house.
We absolutely love this feature—it provides much-needed shade during those scorching summer afternoons. However, after 15-20 years of use, the fabric has definitely seen better days. This summer, we’re replacing it with a fresh, fade-resistant fabric that better complements our updated deck. Right now, we’re torn between two options:
- A classic navy blue fabric, which would create a seamless extension of our interior color scheme.
- A black-and-white striped fabric, which is timeless and goes with everything.
We’re leaning towards the navy blue because the existing white portions of the awning tend to collect mildew and discoloration over time. I am so over scrubbing it down at the beginning of every summer!
Deck Flooring & Furniture Choices
For our new deck flooring, we chose Trex composite decking in the color Gravel Path, a beautiful warm grey. Given the amount of upkeep our previous deck required, low maintenance was our number one priority this time around!
Similarly, our outdoor furniture had to be durable and easy to care for. While I adored our old teak dining table, it required regular maintenance to keep it looking good. Since we don’t have a place to store it indoors during our harsh New England winters, it was constantly exposed to the elements.
With that in mind, I set out to find a rectangular dining table (rather than round) to maximize the shaded area under the awning. Here’s what I ended up choosing:
I ordered this gorgeous outdoor dining set from Raymour & Flanigan, and I couldn’t be happier! All the pieces are made from composite materials, which means no staining, no sealing—just pure enjoyment! Best of all, I found these items in Raymour & Flanigan’s online outlet, which made the purchase even more exciting.
Having seen their outdoor furniture quality in the showroom (if you missed my hilarious shopping trip with Hannah and her friend Payton, check out my “Outdoor Project” highlight on IG!), I felt completely confident ordering these pieces online without seeing them in person first. And let me tell you they are even more beautiful in real life!
The driftwood-inspired color of the furniture complements the new Trex decking perfectly, without being an exact match. This neutral base gives me the flexibility to add pops of color and texture with plants, flowers, woven elements, natural wood accents, and a few cozy throw pillows. Speaking of which, I’ll be reusing my beloved banana leaf pillow covers from a few years ago (who else remembers when that print was EVERYWHERE?). Fun fact: The Etsy seller I originally purchased them from still has the 2 for $34 deal deal available!
Bringing It All Together
Our oldest son, Peter, just returned home from college (Hannah came back two weeks ago), so with the whole family under one roof again and the warm weather finally here, I am more eager than ever to complete this transformation!
Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing the next phase of the makeover soon, which includes our cozy pea stone patio and all the exciting plans I have for that space!
Final Thoughts
This project has been a long time coming, but I know it will be so worth it when we’re finally able to sit back, relax, and enjoy our revamped outdoor oasis. If you’re planning your own deck makeover, I highly recommend prioritizing durability and low maintenance—it makes such a difference in the long run!
Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I hope you get to spend some quality time outdoors with your loved ones.
