Wedding Bouquet Ideas

There is nothing quite like the festive feeling of cooking for a group of your friends while standing out on your deck. After all, when it comes to summertime fun, many of us have memories of family get-togethers where the hot dogs, hamburgers and all the other great foods of summer were cooked on the grill. But, is that all there is to having a deck as part of your home? Of course not! In this day and age of rushing here and there, spending time on one's deck may not seem important. But what a loss! Consider the many uses of deck.

Depending on the layout of your home and where your deck is located, a deck is great place to simply sit down and relax. Just grab a book or your i-Pod then sit back and watch the world go by as you unwind after a long day, or week, at work. If you have an enclosed deck or screened-in porch that offers some privacy, consider putting a sleeper sofa or daybed out there. It is a great place for kids to have a summer sleepover. They can enjoy much of the adventure of camping without the bugs or having to set up a tent. Install a Jacuzzi-this is especially nice if the deck is accessed from the master bedroom. Consider having an area for hanging up towels or robes to make it even more convenient. Decks make great gardening areas. In big cities such as New York or Washington, D.C. where backyard garden plots are not always available, many people with decks are planting container gardens then using their deck as a garden spot. Whether you plant edible items or indulge in the glorious color of the flowers, your deck makes a perfect garden spot and since it is attached to your home, watering the garden generally doesn't involve dragging out a long garden hose for watering! Perhaps one of the most popular uses of decks, especially in cities like Boston or New York where the deck is on the rooftop, is to host July 4th parties. The roof top decks there provide great views of the fireworks displays. However, America's Birthday is not the only holiday to enjoy the deck. Think about hosting a New Years Eve parties on a deck lit with strings of lights along the deck rails, or a Halloween Party complete with pumpkin carving contest where clean- up is a breeze. Save money on utility cost by cooking outdoors on a grill. Many people are turning their decks into mini kitchens. By installing a small sink, an outdoor friendly countertop such as granite or marble and purchasing a grill with multiple uses dining al fresco can be enjoyed for as long as you like.

If you have a patio or deck, then you already know these and many other benefits of a deck. For those who are not so fortunate, consider having one added.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of decks and patios. One such site worth visiting is .

Janet Slagell independently author's articles for WebDrafter, Inc. () for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is мейд regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.