Great Escapes: Dealing With a Too-Big Deck

An oversized deck in Georgia gets a makeover to foster hospitality.

This deck offered a riverfront view with plenty of space, but it proved so open to the Georgia sun that it often grew too hot to enjoy during the summer. Designers added shade and proportion to make it more inviting.

Photo by: Image courtesy of MOSAIC Group

Image courtesy of MOSAIC Group

This deck offered a riverfront view with plenty of space, but it proved so open to the Georgia sun that it often grew too hot to enjoy during the summer. Designers added shade and proportion to make it more inviting.

The view from atop the hill sweeps down a bluff to the scenic Chattahoochee River, but few people were lingering to enjoy it from this deck in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

“This project started with an existing deck, about 600 or 700 square feet, that was so large, unpleasant, and out of scale with the house that it became virtually useless - a vast wasteland of ideal real estate,” says architect Rick Goldstein, of MOSAIC Group. “It was too open and sunny, so it was hot in the summer."

sandy springs deck before1.jpg

sandy springs deck before1.jpg

The deck before

Photo by: Image courtesy of MOSAIC Group

Image courtesy of MOSAIC Group

The deck before

Since the deck also provided a valuable link to the backyard and the pool area, it desperately needed scale, proportion, shade and purpose, a truer sense of connection to the beautiful, rolling landscape around it. This was the challenge presented to us when we first met the clients - more an issue of function than style.”

The firm began by dividing the sprawling deck into smaller, discrete outdoor rooms that lead into each other and "draw in" visitors. “We didn’t want to make it beach-like, but we wanted to respect the water elements - the pool and the river - and the Mediterranean influences on the rest of the house.”

He raised the fire-pit terrace up a step to lend height variation; added a covered roof to the pavilion for shade; reconfigured the stairs; and changed the flooring material from tongue-and-groove composite decking to cut bluestone. The masonry floor makes the area feel less "deck-like," Goldstein says, and ties it visually with the stone pool deck below. He opted for exotic hardwood and a bluestone tabletop to custom-design and field-fabricate the fire-pit itself, which is surrounded by treated wicker furniture.

Shop This Look

The grill area in back is covered by a small roof to allow cookouts in any weather, and it is strategically positioned between the covered porch and the fire pit terrace to service both rooms efficiently.

The deck itself was transformed into a smaller, softly lit area for more intimate gatherings. “To achieve the original goals of the client, we had to modify the footprint slightly along with the stairs to accommodate the final result,” Goldstein says. “We carefully planned the lighting for nighttime entertaining.”

The result? Memorable gatherings.

“I stayed in touch with this clients and have attended several outdoor parties at their house,” Goldstein says. “They’re using absolutely every square inch of that space now, and it’s good to see 60 people enjoying that deck with its view.”

Next Up

Decks for Every Location

Learn about the best options for deck locations

Decks: Raised vs. Grade-Level

Keep these structure options in mind when deciding on a deck design.

Floating Decks

Find out all you need to know about floating decks and get great inspiration for your deck project.

Custom Deck Options

Your deck project is just about ready to roll, so browse these custom deck options for inspiration.

How to Determine Your Deck Style

Learn what factors and styles to consider when planning your deck.

Deck Plans

Learn how you can find deck plans—often for free—online or through various offline resources.

What Is an English Garden?

Learn the elements of enchanting English gardens, and discover ways to translate that style to your yard.

Space-Planning Tips for a Deck

Consider how you will use the space and arrange the deck layout to suit your lifestyle.

How to Stain a Wooden Deck

Enhance and protect your outdoor design by learning how to stain a deck with these simple steps using deck stain.

Hiring a Deck Builder

Get tips on hiring a deck builder, from researching local contractors to pre-planning for your deck project.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.