For a long time, "decking" meant one thing: a flat, square wooden platform stuck right outside the back door.
But as we head into the summer of 2025, the game has changed. With more people in Bristol opening up their homes with bi-fold doors and treating the garden as an "outdoor living room," the humble deck has had a major glow-up.
If you are planning a renovation this year, here are the three big trends you need to know about.
1. Split-Level "Zoning"
Bristol is a hilly city. Whether you are in Totterdown, Brislington, or St Andrews, flat gardens are rare. Instead of fighting the slope with massive (and expensive) sub-frames to create one flat surface, the trend is now Multi-Level Decking.
This uses steps to create distinct "zones" in the garden:
- Top Tier: The dining area (near the kitchen/house).
- Lower Tier: The "Chill Zone" with sofas or a fire pit.
This adds depth, interest, and architectural shape to the garden, turning a steep slope into a feature rather than a problem.
2. The "Mixed Media" Mashup
Why choose between paving and decking when you can have both?
A huge design trend for 2025 is combining materials to create contrast. We are seeing clients combine sleek Porcelain Paving (for the heavy-traffic dining area) with warm Composite Decking (for the lounging area).
The contrast between the cold, hard stone and the warm, soft timber texture looks incredible and breaks up the monotony of a large space.
3. Integrated Lighting (The "Floating" Look)
Lighting is no longer an afterthought where you stick a few solar spikes in the grass. It is now built into the structure.
We are installing recessed LED strip lighting under the "nosing" (the overhanging edge) of decking steps. This creates a stunning "floating step" effect at night.
Practical Tip: Not only does this look high-end, but it’s also a massive safety feature, preventing trips and falls when you are entertaining late into the evening.
4. The "Picture Frame" Border
If you want a deck that looks custom-built rather than DIY, ask for a "Picture Frame" border.
This is where we lay a board around the perimeter of the deck perpendicular to the main infill boards. With Composite decking, we often use a darker colour for the border (e.g., Charcoal border with Light Grey centre). It defines the edge clearly and hides the messy cut ends of the boards.
Ready to transform your garden?
Whether you want a simple timber platform or a complex multi-level composite entertainment zone, we can design it.