Picture-Perfect Decks for Beautiful Thanksgiving Dinners and Fall Parties

You might not be able to go on those long drives and lovely holidays anymore because of the global pandemic that has kept almost all of us indoors for several months now. But you can still enjoy the outdoors and take in fresh air while spending time with friends and family in a safe environment. Even if you are home and want to plan a low-key holiday where only those you are most comfortable with are invited, taking the party outside this fall. With Halloween almost here and Thanksgiving not too far away, it makes plenty of sense to get the deck ready for a festive fall dinner outside. And we have ample inspiration to help steer you in the right direction!

It is the view that steals the show on this lakseside deck [From: Associates III Interior Design]












Whether you live in an urban environment and have an apartment with small deck that extends outside or own a home away from the rush that features an expansive wooden deck, you can always turn it into a great outdoor dining space. All you need is the right décor, smart lighting and an ambiance that makes it perfect for the holidays and beyond. Be it Halloween, Thanksgiving or eve Christmas, this outdoor hangout works every time with a few minor changes –

Let Nature Shape the Backdrop

It is easy to create a more beautiful Thanksgiving dinner table outdoors when your deck is surrounded by greenery. The green backdrop and a collection of flowering plants, vines and trees on the yard combine to turn even the most mundane of spaces into a dreamy and elegant setting. With in-ground lighting, string lights and a few lanterns thrown into the mix, there is no reason why that smart modern dining table on the deck cannot host friends and family as the festive season rolls in. Do make sure that the deck is properly maintained, kept tidy and any small defects are fixed before you get anything else done.

Fabulous Mediterranean deck with metal railing, greenery as cover and beautiful in-ground lighting [From: med arquitectura & construcción]
Mediterranean deck with greenery all around is the perfect place for a dreamy Thanksgiving [From: Angela Sposito]
Outdoor stone fireplace, hangout and dining area allows you to spend time out with friends and family [From: Fraemohs Homes]
Brilliant wall of green offers perfect privacy for those on the deck as they enjoy their dinner outside [From: Samantha Watkins McRae]
Delightful deck of Paris home with small dining space and a captivating space all around

Finding Space with Smart Functionality

Do not worry about creating too much space on the deck to host fall parties since you might not be flooded with guest this year. Keeping it small and safe is the best option and that means even that tiny, modern deck can be your dinner and party zone in the next two months. If you have a covered deck, then things do get easier with both lighting and handling of the weather as colder months’ start taking over. For the small, open deck a sail-styled covering above is pretty easy to add and takes little effort. Once spring and summer come calling, you can easily remove this feature for a more open and sun-filled deck.

Even modest apartment decks can be perfect place for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner [From: HK Interiors]
Modern farmhouse style deck with a lovely outdoor dining space, colorful area rug and barbecue zone [From: Camelot Custom Homes]
Spacious wooden deck of the contemporary home feels like a natural extension of the interior [From: mm+j architects]
Use string lighting to illuminate the smart outdoor dining area [From: Sarah & Friends Interiors]
White chairs coupled with a simple, minimal table for the contemporary deck

Décor, Lighting and More

Thinking about adding an outdoor dining area to the deck? It is definitely not too late and with many great deals and Black Friday sales that go live this time of the year, finding a durable outdoor table, a few matching chairs (or even acrylic ones that look even better) and smart lighting is all too easy. Place a few plants next to them, create enough space between the barbecue zone and the dining area and add a few additional seats on the other side to complete this cool hangout.

Stunning Tuscan balcony with spectacular views, outdoor dining area and relaxing hangout [From: Piera Plus David]
Acrylic chairs coupled with smart outdoor table takes dining outside [From: Right Design Agency]
Covered lakeside deck with outdoor kitchen and ample space is the perfect place for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner [From: Shrock Premier Custom Construction]
Shade for the outdoor dining area allows you to enjoy the deck even during hotter months [From: Caroline Rey]

You’re reading Picture-Perfect Decks for Beautiful Thanksgiving Dinners and Fall Parties, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Similar Posts

  • Tiny Light Green Wooden Summer Cottage in Sweden is an Efficient Showstopper

    A cabin in the woods that you can enjoy in warmer summer months is one that we all dream of. It is the perfect getaway that not only takes you far from the rush of daily life, but also brings everyone in the family together. The lovely and minimal Granholmen Summer Cottage in Luleå Ö, […]

    You’re reading Tiny Light Green Wooden Summer Cottage in Sweden is an Efficient Showstopper, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

  • August Hotel

    August Hotel, a former Augustinian cloister, became a modern-day sanctuary under the guidance of legendary Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen in his first-ever hotel project.

  • Mercer Modern

    Mercer Modern is a midcentury home located on a hillside on a 15,539 SF lot in Mercer Island, WA overlooking Lake Washington. The original house had great bones but was disconnected from the outdoors. Wittman Estes wanted to give the family a way to live outside and connect with their Southern California roots. Originally built in 1969, the post and beam structure had fallen into disrepair, and had a layout that was out of sync with the casual modern lifestyle for a young family with two children. The owner is Melanie Owen, a fashion designer with a keen interest in interior design and outdoor living. Originally from Southern California, her design sensibilities were rooted in SoCal surfer culture and the casual and open vibes of beach living. Both Melanie and her husband, Matt, work in fashion and clothing and have deep interests in texture, materiality, and a spaces with a comfortable lived-in feeling. Ms. Owen’s roots in Southern California brought a love for bright, light tones, and simple open spaces. Together with the architect, this vibe was mixed with Pacific Northwest traditions of wood tones and highly crafted built-in furniture. The goal was to create spaces that had both the qualities of Southern California modernism with a warmer, high quality carpentry that the Puget Sound region is known for. The outdoor deck has a ipe decking and built in seating. Cedar slat walls screen the neighboring houses while allowing the sunlight to filter through the screens. The kitchen was reconfigured to orient to the outdoors encourage an easy connection between the living room, dining room, and outdoor space. A concrete and glass stair connect the upper terrace to the garden and landscape. “We sought to connect the spaces in so the family could be relaxed and cruise barefoot going indoors and out”, says Wittman. The breezy and lightweight feeling of the material palette encourages the family to step outside and connect with the sunlight and views over Lake Washington and towards the downtown Seattle skyline. Project Credits Architect: Wittman Estes Design Team: Matt Wittman AIA LEED AP, Jody Estes, Hayley Snider Structural Engineer: Josh Welch Engineering Builder: Ian Jones, Treebird Construction Photography: Rafael Soldi