What do I need for my new decking?

[NorfolkEnchantsIsThere]

DH and I have finally got the garden sorted and the joiner is starting work on our decking next week. We've never had a useable outside space before so really want to do the decking up nice so we can use it all summer. However as the decking is taking up most of the money we put aside for this, it leaves us with about £1000 to spend on things for the decking. Would love a sofa area and maybe some sort of heaters but I've no idea what type people use for outside spaces? I will have an outside socket so can plug things in.

What would you recommend I get or completely steer clear of? And any maintenance tips on the decking itself?

Bonus points if you show me your decking!

Anyone?

This is ours. Cut at an angle to widen a narrow garden. We added the water feature after I fell in love with it.

Also have this bench and then I but a few pumpkins on the deck in the autumn.

Sorry here’s the bench.

Bench

I would treat it with some decking oil to help protect it from the elements.

I have corner sofa & coffee table on ours, parasol, some plants in pots.

I use solar string lights round the fence but I guess if you have a socket you could have some nice outdoor lighting.

You won’t need the oil if you use composite materials, I think.

If rats make their home under your decking as they often do, please don't put down poison as the rat may die further away and be preyed on by a cat whilst it's weak or after it's dead and the cat can then ingest the poison.

Photo, missed the opportunity for bonus points! 🤣

Sooo disappointed.. Glanced at my phone on an angle and read what do I need for my duckling....
Very disappointed..

Too much grey but the pink parasol is lovely, now get rid of the grey on the fence and add some colourful cushions and rug as the 50 shades of grey is making it al look a bit dismal.

We have potted plants , some rattan coffee tables and comfy conservatory furniture , can't wait for Summer .

Thank you all, I had been worried about mice/rats making it their new abode so I will have to look into humane ways to keep that from happening.

I've been having a look at furniture and it's like decorating a house! I don't want to get it wrong and waste money. I do love the idea of potted plants though, I'll have to have a look at those too.

What do you do for heating out there? Electric fire pit in the middle or higher up heaters?

The deck installer should lay down a composite matrix under the deck and then enclose it to prevent mice.

https://ultradecking.co.uk/how-to-waterproof-under-composite-decking-boards/

Op how much is your decking costing please.

We have a bbq, an outside rug, a gazebo and rattan table and chairs. We also have an electric heater and a chimnea (sp?). We have a chandelier hanging from the roof of our gazebo which has fairy lights twisted all round it instead of bulbs and solar candles in jars dotted about randomly. We have a balustrade on our decking where we have flower baskets on. Can't send pic as not yet unpacked everything for summer. We have (expensive) fake hedge as a windbreak also. I say expensive because it was but we've had it over 5 years and it still looks really good and realistic as opposed to the piece I got from b&m to cover up a small gap which lasted one season.