Ground Level Decks on a Budget
Ground level decks are kind of the sweet spot when youre dreaming of outdoor living without the price tag of a raised platform, stairs, or council paperwork.
Its that step out the back door and plonk down with a coffee kind of feeling.
But yeahtimber, tools, and time all cost money, and it adds up fast if youre not careful.
So lets keep it real. Heres how folks are building decks that dont look or feel cheapwithout spending thousands.
Use What You Can GetSeriously
Start with what youve got or what you can score free or cheap. Check online marketplaces for leftover decking timber, pallets, or reclaimed wood.
A builder down the road might be tossing old joists. Landscapers sometimes offload pavers or gravel.
Even mismatched timber can be sanded, painted, or hidden under a rug.
One bloke in our neighbourhood built an entire deck with pallets and bricks. Doesnt sound glamorous, but with a lick of paint and some plants, it actually looked solid.
Skip ConcreteFloat It Instead
Floating decks are perfect when you want to skip digging holes and pouring concrete.
Use concrete pavers, breeze blocks, or even thick treated sleepers as your base.
Lay weed mat and gravel under it to stop rot and drainage issues. Its way easier, and way cheaper.
No permits, no concrete truck, no drama. Just mark it out, level your pavers, and start building. Even if its not forever, itll last long enough to enjoy it for years.
Keep It Tiny (and Expand Later)
Big decks cost big dollars. But a small deck? Totally doable. Focus on a cozy little 2Ã2 or 3Ã3 metre zone you can actually finish.
Thats your chill spot for now. If youve got more materials later, you can always add to it.
Its better to have one finished corner that feels good than half a deck you cant afford to complete.
Treated Pine or Pallet Wood = Budget Gold
If youre buying new timber, treated pine is usually the cheapest option. Its not glamorous, but it does the job.
Stain it dark and itll look fancier than it cost.
If even thats too much, pallets (heat-treated only) can be pulled apart and reused as decking boards or framing.
Make sure you space it out properly so water drains, and sand anything youre going to walk on barefoot.
Splinters are free but not in a good way.
Finishing Touches for Next to Nothing
It doesnt take much to dress up a budget deck. Old chairs? Slap on some outdoor paint. Leftover cushions? Throw em on top.
String lights from the dollar shop? Instant mood. You can even use a drop cloth or secondhand rug to fake that boho look.
You dont need a huge budget. You just need to make it feel intentional.
Final Thoughts
A good deck isnt about how much you spent. Its about whether you use it. Whether you sit out there at sunset with a book.
Whether the dog flops out next to you.
Whether youve got a place to sip your coffee in the morning and pretend youve got your life together, even if you absolutely dont.
And if you built it yourselfon a shoestringthat feelings even better.