You're thinking about building a new deck for your home. With all the options out there, how do you decide what size is right for your family? According to LandscapingNetwork.com, the average deck size ranges between 300 and 400 square feet. Here are some tips from a deck contractor to help narrow it down.

Consider How You'll Use the Deck

First, think about how you plan on using your new outdoor hangout spot. Are you looking for an intimate coffee-sipping nook for two? Hoping for space to host summer barbecues for family and friends? Envisioning a play place for the kids? If it's mainly just you, your partner, and maybe a couple of friends at a time, a cozy 100 to 200 square feet could work nicely. But if you want room for lawn chairs, patio tables, and play equipment, you may need something larger, like 300 to 500 square feet. Scale up or down to suit your needs.

Think About Traffic Flow and Furniture

Also, consider how people will move around on the deck. Having different zones — like one area designated for dining, another for lounging by the fire pit, and space in between for moving from one end to the other — can help traffic flow smoothly. Measure out approximate dimensions for items like tables, benches, chaise lounges, grills, and so on. This will give you an idea of what square footage will realistically fit everything.

Weigh Maintenance Costs

Bigger deck spaces have a great wow factor for entertaining. That said, don't forget: the larger the deck, the more upkeep is required. This means more time and money is spent hiring a deck contractor for sealing, staining, and repairing boards over the years. If deck maintenance is not your idea of quality time well spent, scale back the size a bit. Go for function over impressive spans of empty, unused space that'll just cost more in annual maintenance. Find the sweet spot between family needs and the preservation of your weekends.

At the end of the day, take your unique family lifestyle and budget into account. Be realistic about how you anticipate using the space and how much space you have in your yard for a deck. Map out a few options on paper and walk them out to get a feel for the sizes. If you're ready to start the process of hiring a deck contractor to bring your deck to life, reach out to our team at Longview Decks for an estimate today.