Outdoor living spaces are central to life at Smith Mountain Lake. As we shrug off winter and temperatures begin to warm up, a comfortable deck can host as much of your day-to-day living as any room inside your home.

Spending a little time now to spruce up your deck can make summer entertaining and everyday living as comfortable outside as it is inside. Couple that with proper maintenance to ensure safety and maintain the deck's value.

Maintenance

Inspect your deck each year to check for signs of wear, damage or instability. Look for broken boards, splintered wood and rusted fasteners. You're looking for things that could compromise the integrity of the structure or otherwise cause injury.

Sweep leaves or other debris from the deck and hose it down. Use caution to prevent damage when pressure-washing or using cleaners on your deck. Wooden decks also will need sealing or other weather-proofing treatments on a regular basis.

Improperly maintained decks are hazardous and will hurt your home's value. Contact a lake-area decking contractor to get specific recommendations for the care and maintenance of your deck.

Furnishings

Use floor coverings to divide your space into zones for different purposes and to protect high-traffic areas from wear. Choose materials that dry quickly and are easy to clean. Add continuity with colors, patterns and textures that echo floor coverings or other furnishings inside the house.

Nested tables are a compact way to complement your dining furniture and allow guests to configure their own casual dining areas that can migrate as needed. The tables will also provide surfaces for you to stash hors d'oeuvres trays, extra napkins, tableware or condiments.

Add a bar for the convenience of your guests and to cut down on traffic to and from the kitchen. This could be as simple as a rolling cart for bottles, pitchers, glassware and an ice bucket. Or go all out with a full wet bar and refrigeration.

Use window treatments to make your deck a little more private or to divide a large space into smaller ones. Standard panels on curtain rings or rolled shades are good choices. If you don't have framing for window treatments, use potted evergreens to get the same effect.

Create a play area in a corner of your deck with its own table and chairs, storage for games and art supplies and a minibar stocked with water and juices. Set the area off with a distinctive floor covering or a string of whimsical lights.

Your deck can provide years and years of outdoor living for you and your family. Proper maintenance and a little imagination will give you a great space for one of the hallmarks of Smith Mountain Lake living.

Want to see some of the most beautiful decks on Smith Mountain Lake? Call me at (540) 353-0123 or email me at sonya@sonyadickinson.com. Browse my listings here and like my Facebook page.