Best Deck Color Ideas for a Stylish Outdoor Refresh

Choosing a color for your deck is one of those things that may not seem important until you’re standing in the paint section, looking at all 40 shades of brown. The right color unifies your entire backyard. It simply looks like a second thought if you choose the wrong one.

Whether you’re wanting to create an overhaul for this season or just a fresh look, here are 10 ways to go about it, ranging from subtle neutrals to more daring statement hues.

Light Gray Deck Design for a Modern Subtle Outdoor Appeal

This is a great decking option for those who want a simple yet modern look. A wonderful choice for the modern subtle decking style. 

Owners of homes seeking a clean yet warm option have come to prefer Gray. The light gray deck is contemporary and simple, and works well with almost any siding color—from brick, white, to dark navy. It also provides a good dust barrier that catches dust, pollen and the general dirt that builds up on outdoor surfaces between cleanings.

Be aware of this, however: gray can change depending on the light. If the fabric seems soft and warm in the shop, try a sample board out on your deck for a few days before buying it before you can find out how it will appear in the full sun outside. For exterior stains, you can find stains that are marked with “warm gray” as opposed to “cool gray” to prevent that cool tint.

Warm Brown Deck Flooring Ideas for a Cozy Backyard Retreat

Thermally upgraded Brown Deck Flooring that will warm up your backyard retreat.

There’s a reason warm brown has stuck around as a deck classic. It seems that wood is supposed to look like wood, but with an interesting enhancement. This is a good tone to use if you have a lot of greenery in your garden and you want to use this tone rather than bidding for attention with all the plants within the garden.

Brown is a forgiving color, too. They don’t really stand out as much as you might see it on a lighter finish, and don’t show up as well as they do with scuffs, grill drips and foot traffic marks. This is a practical choice if you don’t want to do a ton of maintenance.

Coastal Blue Gray Deck Paint Ideas for a Beachside Vibe

Whether you’re close to the water, or you’re just looking for the feel of a seaside getaway without having the ocean in your view, blue gray has you covered. Not as gray as a standard gray, but as navy as navy, it still has a calming effect that is not as dramatic. Imagine the color of some old shutters in a fishing town.

This color tone looks great with white railings and natural fiber furniture. Few cushions are added to the patio set, in blue and white stripes, to complete the scene with ease. Also it is one of those backyard flooring ideas that looks good in pictures too, if you are in the mood to post photos or simply to enjoy it.

Sun-Bleached Driftwood Deck Color for a Relaxed Coastal Escape

Driftwood gray is stepping up the coastal theme. It doesn’t have a clean, uniform color, but rather one that simulates a 30-year-old piece of wood that’s been exposed to salt air and sun for years, with a pale, slightly silvery appearance, and slight color change from board to board.

A popular choice for composite decking, makers have improved significantly at reproducing the weathered look without the actual weathering.

This hue is best suited for a casual atmosphere. Consider soft linens, a hammock, mismatched planters. It’s not a color that’s going to complement anything overly sophisticated or elegant.

Warm Terracotta Patio Flooring for a Mediterranean Courtyard Escape

Terracotta adds warmth and personality which most neutral shades simply can’t. It’s inspired by Mediterranean and Southwestern styles, and it’s a great fit for a garden with stucco walls, clay pots, or a pergola that’s covered with climbers. The color is earthy and sun-warmed, and makes a patio seem lived in instead of “showed.”

However, accent colors must be used a little differently with terracotta. It looks great with deep greens, mustard yellow and the rusty colors, but could be squeezed between stark white or cool gray. When doing this choose the theme and stick to it for the entire space, rather than using it as an accent.

Soft Taupe Deck Color Ideas for a Neutral Modern Backyard

Taupe is in that sweet spot between grey and brown, and makes it one of the more versatile patio color schemes out there. It reads well without being too fresh in five years time and does not appear dated.

This is a good option if you aren’t sure what you want in your backyard and want to go with a neutral look and add the personality later on with furniture, plants, and lighting.

Ocean Teal Painted Deck for a Vibrant Statement Outdoor Look

The majority of these colors are conservative. Teal doesn’t. A painted teal floor is a statement to make your deck stand out from the crowd. It is great for smaller decks or balconies where a strong color may not be as over bearing as it would be on a larger deck.

It’s a good idea to balance with white wood furniture or natural wood furniture to give the teal some breathing room. Competitive colors too close to the effect become muddy. This is not a color that comes into everyone’s mind for their homes, but it is a memorable color for the correct space.

Weathered Gray Barnwood Deck Style for a Farmhouse Backyard Feel

For a while now farmhouse style has been around and weathered gray barn wood has played a major part in this. The overall style is reminiscent of a barn siding that will worn and fade from the sun, and note that there are some visible grains and a somewhat rustic quality. It can be a suitable choice for both traditional and modern homes.

While some rustic finishes may have an appearance which will wear out when you do it poorly, this style will be more good with an intentional and traditional appearance. It will coordinate beautifully with  a galvanize metal accent, string lights and simple wooden furniture that does not vie for attention with the flooring.

Warm Redwood Deck Color Ideas for a Cozy Backyard Retreat

While the time of summer has passed, Redwood Deck Color Ideas for a Warm Backyard Retreat is still in the offing.

A richness that you cannot duplicate with paint is only achievable with redwood tones. This is for good reason that this is one of the more popular exterior wood stain colors for real wood decks. Has a natural depth that varies slightly depending on the light, creating a warm and inviting look on the deck for the entire day rather than a one-note appearance.

When installing a new deck over an existing cedar or redwood deck, it’s best to choose a color that is close to the natural wood color to get the best long-term result. Excessive processing can remove the grain and other desirable features of the wood.

Deep Mahogany Deck Color for an Elegant Traditional Backyard

When you desire a formal and traditional look , there is no better wood than deep mahogany. It has almost furniture-like richness to add to a backyard, particularly if you combine with black or bronze hardware and traditional outdoor furniture designs. It is generally useful in larger houses or in a more traditional mix of styles, although it may be suitable in smaller houses as well, if it fits in with the rest of the design.

The trade off is maintenance. Darker hues will also be more susceptible to dust and water spots than lighter ones, so you’ll need to clean more often if you choose this option. This is because many homeowners feel that it’s worth it for the look it gives their home.

Final Thoughts

There is no one right color for your deck; it depends on your house style, climate and maintenance. Lighter shades conceal less and may need more cleaning to be in top form, whilst darker shades are able to conceal dirt, but will reveal water spots and dust more clearly. Regardless of which way you are tilting it testing a sample for a couple of days in the yard before purchasing will save you from a color that may be fantastic in the can, but unsuitable in your yard.