When it comes to getting the most out of outdoor living in a smaller space, the trick is to dream big.

Whether you live in a townhouse, terrace, apartment or home with a smaller yard, creating an incredible and luxurious outdoor space is possible with a bit of creative thinking and planning.

The team at Trex Company – the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing products – offers some savvy tips for making the most of a smaller outdoor space. “Trexperts” and international home improvement TV stars Paul Lafrance and Kate Campbell share their pointers on what’s needed to create your perfect pint-sized deck:

1. Keep it light 

“We recommend using lighter tones such as Trex Transcend Island Mist,” says Paul. “Darker tones tend to make a space feel smaller whereas lighter colours have the opposite effect by helping to make your outdoor space feel brighter and more open.”

2. Keep it simple 

“Be very careful doing intricate decking patterns in a smaller space, particularly if you’re going to be filling the space with furniture,” says Kate. “As much as we love incorporating complex decking patterns in our builds, in a smaller space they can feel overly busy. We recommend sticking to straight patterns with a single border around the edge.”

3. Keep it cosy 

“A smaller space doesn’t mean a stark space,” says Paul. “There are plenty of ways to add ambience through the right accessories. Lighting is imperative to bring a smaller space to life at night even more so than a larger outdoor space. Trex’s well lights provide ambient illumination for bushes, foliage and small structures and subtle recessed deck lights can be installed flush on the decking boards to put the focus on the fixture’s effect instead of the source. This creates a cosy, welcoming environment.”

4. Keep it clever 

“Everyone knows you can never have too much storage, but in a smaller space you need to be creative and clever,” says Kate. “Think about incorporating storage components into the skirting of the deck, which typically is wasted space. Trex has a great Outdoor Storage line that offers a variety of options designed to integrate storage seamlessly into a deck of any size.”

5. Keep it private 

“We love using Trex pergolas and incorporating outdoor fabric curtains for privacy,” Paul says. “The Trex pergola can also give you the ability to simply hang beautiful potted plants to create natural privacy without making you feel cramped.”

“You can also create unique privacy screens using a combination of Trex deck boards and Trex fascia to create a corrugated look,” he adds. “And if you really want to be creative, you can use multiple colours to create a two-tone screen. This can be done either vertically or horizontally and is relatively simple to construct.”

For more outdoor living tips or to learn more about Trex, visit www.trex.com/au.

About Trex 

Trex Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance wood-alternative decking and railing, with more than 20 years of product experience. Stocked in more than 6,700 retail locations in 45 countries worldwide, Trex outdoor living products offer a wide range of style options with fewer ongoing maintenance requirements than wood, as well as a truly environmentally responsible choice. For more information, visit www.trex.com/au.

ENDS