20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space (2024)

While an open-air deck is great for soaking up the sun, covered decks provide almost endless options for entertaining. A simple covering can add shade to a yard, and, in some cases, even provide protection from the rain so you can enjoy fresh air even on a drizzly day.

Deck coverings also don’t have to completely enclose the space; pergolas make attractive, stylish covers that still allow for plenty of sunshine. It can also help add greenery to your deck with climbing vines and plants. Other deck coverings, such as hanging breezy, opaque curtains, can make your yard feel more private if you don’t already have a fence.

Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly covered deck ideas that can upgrade your patio with simple style, or inspiration for dressing up an existing attached deck covering, these ideas for covered decks will help you create a relaxing, comfortable outdoor room.

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Modern Deck Pergola

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The white covering extending over the deck from the side of the house has a modern feel thanks to the simple, clean columns used to support it. The mix of wood paneling with white siding also helps the deck feel like its own space separate from the rest of the house. Dressing up the area with colorful throw pillows, furniture, and hanging plants helps a modern deck feel a little more casual.

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Provide Shade with Greenery

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If you’re willing to wait for plants to grow, the draping vines covering this pergola provide natural shade to the covered deck. The leaves and stems hanging through the wood beams also help draw the eye upward and add color to a largely-white area. Since the deck is set up for outdoor dining, a hanging string of lights also helps the area function for day or night.

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Sloped Deck Covering

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A slightly sloped covering helps add high ceilings to this covered deck. This type of structure adds drama to an outdoor space while also sheltering from rain and sun. The placement of the wood beams also helps frame the pool in the rest of the yard, highlighting the views from the deck.

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Cozy Covered Deck Ideas

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The natural wood beams covering this deck fit well with the Bohemian style throughout the space. The beams are also a good opportunity to install outdoor lighting, such as wood pendant lights. Since the deck is completely covered, it’s protected from the elements and easier to style with an outdoor rug, plush furniture, and throw pillows and cushions.

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Modern Deck Covering

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A few support beams are all that’s needed to add the sloped wood covering for this deck. Connecting the deck covering to the home makes construction a little easier than a freestanding structure, and provides privacy on one side from the walls of the home. Matching wood flooring on the deck helps this space feel modern and relaxed.

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Budget-Friendly Deck Covering

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The existing covering for this deck is just a few simple wood beams, similar to a pergola. But weaving long pieces of fabric (or even curtains) between the beams adds shade and style in a simple DIY. This budget-friendly deck covering idea can also be taken down easily and stored for the winter when the weather turns chilly.

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Attached Covered Deck

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This stylish covered deck uses an overhang from the home for shade. The wood beams in the ceiling almost match the wood used on the deck, which gives the space a cohesive, rustic feel. Accents of color, such as the sage green trim, offset with the light green siding used on the home and create a calming feeling.

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Screened-In Deck

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Screening in three quarters of this covered deck makes it usable for most of the year. If you want plenty of coverage from the elements, consider adding a similar wooden roof overhang to your deck, then screening in the sides to help keep out pests. Installing a fireplace in the center also creates a great hangout spot for the cooler months of the year.

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Covered Deck with Screens

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This deck shows several options for creating shade and privacy. The wood beams running across the top still let in plenty of sun, but could be easily enclosed with draped curtains. Adjustable screens hanging along the side of the deck would make a simple addition to most deck designs, and add privacy and protection from the sun when unrolled.

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Deck Overhang

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In a backyard where a pool takes center-stage, a covered deck is a great place to relax in the shade or dry off before heading inside. This design uses a built-in overhang to cover the seating area on the deck. If your home doesn’t already have much of an overhang, you might be able to extend it to cover your deck by adding in a few support beams.

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Simple Covered Deck with Balcony

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Create a deck space under an existing overhang, such as a balcony. This home uses the extra coverage provided by the balcony to add another area for relaxing outdoors. A simple slab in the backyard creates a space to place matching lounge chairs with plenty of privacy from the surrounding trees.

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Freestanding Deck Cover

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If you have an open-air deck but want more coverage, consider installing a simple wooden pergola. This deck covering doesn’t shade the entire space, but adds extra structure to one side and partially covers the main seating area. A pergola also adds the possibility of draping fabric or introducing climbing plants for more shade and style.

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Southwest-Style Deck Cover

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The design for this covered deck takes inspiration from popular home designs in the Southwest. Sloped tiles on the roof shield sun and rain, while the placement of the white walls and columns almost makes the covered deck feel like a tiny home with open-air windows. Since only half the deck is covered, this type of design also gives the option of soaking up the sun or relaxing in the shade.

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Deck with Privacy Curtains

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If you want budget-friendly covered deck ideas, gauzy curtains are one of the best options. With no extra building required, it’s simple to hang several curtains from any existing beams or structure around your deck. Not only do the white curtains on this deck add style, but they also add privacy and shade when closed.

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Simple Deck Beams

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This covered deck almost feels like its own outdoor living room. The beams covering the deck help enclose the space a bit, making it feel almost like an indoor room, while still letting in plenty of natural light. Faux grass covering the ground helps the space feel natural, while styling touches such as the bar cart and end tables help make the deck look as polished as a living room.

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Porch-Style Deck

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A small overhanging from this home creates an intimate seating area. This small-space covered deck idea can be inspiration for styling a tiny area in your home. Though the overhang for the deck isn’t large, it provides enough space for a couple of relaxing chairs, and feels more complete with hanging pendant lights.

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Deck with High Ceilings

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Your deck doesn’t have to be a huge, grand addition to your backyard. This covered deck utilizes the existing overhang of the home, and is tucked into a corner against two exterior walls, creating an ultra-private outdoor space. Placing the outdoor lounge along the shorter wall helps open up the space and make it feel roomy.

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Coastal Style Deck

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This covered deck with coastal style is almost completely enclosed, except for a small open-air space separated by columns. Creating a covered deck with windows adds protection from the elements and helps control the airflow throughout the space. Keeping the walls and ceiling white and using pale wood floors helps bring more light to the enclosed space.

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Covered Deck Dining Area

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Since this covered deck has a high ceiling thanks to an existing overhang, it makes a great space for outdoor dining. Complete protection from rain makes it easier to set up a dining table with wood and wicker chairs for warm-weather meals. The dark green hutch even adds a space to store dishes or utensils for dining al fresco.

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Cozy Deck Overhang

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An overhang connected to the home helps create a cozy, private space on this deck. Since much of the space is used as a walkway, a hanging egg chair is a great option for adding seating without making the area feel crowded. Brightly colored cushions and pillows also bring brightness to the shaded corner.

20 Covered Deck Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space (2024)
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