Composite Decking Ideas to Inspire Your Garden Makeover

Looking to transform your outdoor space into a stylish, low-maintenance retreat? Composite decking is a sleek and practical option which opens up a world of creative possibilities for every type of garden.

Whether you’re dreaming of a bold, modern terrace or a cosy corner for relaxing with a coffee, use these inspiring composite decking ideas to help you design your outdoor haven.

Quick summary:

• Create zones with multi-level raised decking
• Get creative with decking patterns and inlays
• Explore colour combinations
• Add a pergola for shade and style
• Build in lighting for ambience
• Finish with edging and trims for a polished look
• Add a stylish balustrade
• Coordinate with composite fencing
• Make it cosy with built-in seating
• Lay decking around a hot tub or pool

Create zones with multi-level raised decking

Not all gardens are flat, and your decking doesn’t need to be either. Multi-level decking is an excellent way to add depth and structure to your outdoor space, especially if you're working with uneven ground or want to define separate areas.

Consider a raised platform for dining, a sunken area for lounging, or steps that gently lead down into the lawn. These changes in height create natural “zones” without needing fences or screens. It also adds visual interest, turning your deck into a more dynamic and usable feature.

If you're working with a sloped garden, tiered decking is a smart solution that maximises space while creating a sense of flow throughout the garden. You don’t typically need planning permission for decking as it falls under permitted development rights – but there are some rules around size and height: 

• Decking can’t cover more than 50% of your garden 
• Raised decking can’t be taller than 30cm 
• The decking cannot be built past your home’s front wall 

If you want a more extravagant design, you just need to apply for planning permission first, which you can do through your local council. There are also more rules if you live in a conservation area or National Landscape. It’s best to get in touch with your local planning authority (before starting your project) if you’re unsure or need advice.

Get creative with decking patterns and inlays

Composite decking isn’t limited to horizontal rows. One of its biggest design advantages is the ability to play with laying patterns and board direction to achieve a custom look. Consider:

Diagonal decking

Angling your boards at 45 degrees instantly changes the energy of the space. It can make a small garden feel larger by drawing the eye outward and adds movement to otherwise plain layouts. It's also a clever way to visually connect the deck with your house or surrounding paths.

Herringbone or chevron patterns

If you want your decking to be a showpiece, herringbone and chevron are high-impact options that bring a designer feel. These patterns are great for square or rectangular decks where you want to add a bit of texture and luxury. It’s a more advanced layout, but the end result is worth the effort.

Picture frame borders

Create a border using a different board direction, or even a different colour, to frame your decking like a piece of art. Not only does this look beautiful, but it can also help disguise the ends of boards and reduce visible gaps over time.

Central inlays or 'deck rugs'

A contrasting inlay in the centre of your deck can mimic a rug or coffee table zone. This is perfect for outdoor living spaces where you want to anchor furniture and create a focal point.

Explore colour combinations

Choosing a decking colour is a big decision – it can make a real difference to your garden’s look and vibe. At Eurocell, our composite decking comes in 14 different shades of grey, black and brown, so that you can choose a shade you love. Here are some ideas to explore: 

Grey

Grey decking is a popular choice because it stands out and complements a modern home. It also offers a beautiful contrast to the greenery in your garden – lighter tones of grey can bounce light around the space.

If you want your decking area to scream ‘luxe,’ add garden furniture in wood or rattan, with patterned cushions, and ceramic pots with flowers. 

Black

If you prefer a sleek design, consider laying black decking. 

The dark boards can create an immediate impact in your garden, and offer the perfect backdrop to geometric printed cushions and outdoor rugs, potted plants, and muted garden furniture. Or you could opt for bright furniture to grab attention.  

Brown

Prefer a natural aesthetic? You might want to opt for a brown shade to create the ultimate earthy vibe. Choose garden furniture in materials like bamboo and woven rattan to add to the natural theme.

Combining colours

Want a decking design that truly stands out? Mixing two or more decking colours is a clever way to introduce contrast, define zones, and add interest without relying on lots of accessories.

Add a pergola for shade and style

Pergolas are one of the easiest ways to make a decking area feel more like an outdoor room. They add vertical interest, create shade, and offer structure for lights, plants, or fabric drapes.

Whether you opt for a modern timber frame or a rustic look with climbing plants, a pergola helps define the space and adds a touch of luxury. It’s ideal for seating or dining areas and can be styled with hanging lanterns or festoon lights for evening ambience.

Looking for a Mediterranean vibe? Train vines or jasmine to grow over the top and surround it with terracotta pots and soft neutral cushions for instant holiday energy.

Build in lighting for ambience

Lighting takes your decking from daytime retreat to evening haven. Built-in lighting not only looks fantastic, but it also makes your outdoor space safer and more functional after dark.

You could install:

• LED strips along steps or borders for a soft glow
• Recessed deck lights for a subtle, seamless finish
• Spotlights or uplights to highlight plants or architectural features

Solar-powered options are a great low-maintenance choice, or you can go hardwired for a more permanent setup. Combine warm lighting with textured accessories - think lanterns, throws, and cushions - to create a cosy, inviting space.

Finish with edging and trims for a polished look

Often overlooked, edging details can make or break the overall finish of your deck. Clean edges and colour-matched trims give your space a professional, cohesive appearance.

Using trims isn’t just about looks either. It protects exposed ends, helps prevent moisture ingress, and keeps the structure looking smart for years to come.

At Eurocell, we offer a full range of finishing accessories, from edge boards and fascia trims to coloured screws, so your decking looks as good at the borders as it does across the surface.

Add stylish balustrade

Balustrades frame your decking and create a defined, enclosed space that feels like an outdoor room.

For raised decks, balustrades are especially important, but even at ground level they can add structure and polish. Choose from traditional spindle designs, sleek glass panels for a modern feel, or composite balustrades to match your decking boards.

Installing a balustrade improves safety especially if your decking is raised. However, there are some rules under planning permission. Document K states that when installing any type of guarding, a ‘100mm sphere cannot pass through any openings.’ This is to prevent anyone, especially children, from getting stuck between the railings. 

It also states that guarding including a balustrade should be a minimum height of 110cm. Eurocell’s composite balustrades are 164cm in height and have been designed in line with British Standards, so meet these requirements.  

Styling tip: Wrap outdoor string lights or bulbs along the railing for a cosy evening glow. 

Coordinate with composite fencing

To really elevate your outdoor space, think beyond the deck itself. Coordinating your decking with composite fencing or a matching gate helps tie your whole garden design together.

Using the same tone or grain pattern across decking and fencing creates a seamless, high-end look. Alternatively, contrasting colours like light decking with dark fencing can create drama and visual interest.

Composite fencing also shares the same low-maintenance, long-lasting benefits as your decking boards, so it’s a practical win too.

Make it cosy with built-in seating

Built-in seating is a brilliant way to add function to your decking without cluttering it with bulky furniture. Whether it’s a full-length bench along one side or a corner setup for lounging, integrated seating makes smart use of space.

Add cushions and throws in complementary tones to soften the look and introduce texture. You could even include under-seat storage for garden tools, kids’ toys or outdoor cushions - practical and stylish in one.

For extra impact, position your seating under a pergola, around a fire pit, or facing your favourite garden view.

Decking around a hot tub or pool

If relaxation is top of your garden wishlist, composite decking is a brilliant base for a hot tub or plunge pool. It’s slip-resistant, moisture-resistant, and splinter-free, making it safer and more comfortable underfoot—even when wet.

Build your decking flush with the edge of the hot tub for a seamless, built-in look, or create steps and raised platforms to enhance the spa-like feel. Add soft lighting, potted bamboo or grasses, and an outdoor towel rail or storage box for the full at-home retreat vibe.

Create a haven in your garden with composite decking

One of the best things about composite decking is how versatile it is – from natural wood-like decking, to bold colours like black, there is something to suit your style.

Eurocell’s composite decking boards are low maintenance, long lasting (with up to 20-years’ guarantee), and engrained with a natural wood pattern. 

Choose from hollow or solid boards or experiment with different shades. Get your composite decking project off the ground with Eurocell.