If you’ve got a deck you love but the area around it feels kind of unfinished, you’re not alone!
Landscaping around deck spaces is one of those things that tends to get pushed off.
But just because it’s the space around your deck doesn’t mean it can’t use some love.
And you don’t need a full landscaping plan or a big budget to make it look better.
A few simple ideas can help the space around your deck feel pulled together without turning it into a whole weekend project.
Here are some ideas to help you landscape around your deck:
1. Mulch Border Around the Deck
This is one of the easiest places to start because it doesn’t require much planning or measuring.
Clear out the grass or weeds right along the edge of the deck, lay down some landscape fabric or cardboard if you want to slow things down later, then spread a few inches of mulch.
It instantly makes the deck look more finished and also saves you from having to weed right up against the boards.
Dark mulch feels a little cleaner, lighter mulch looks more casual, and either one works fine if it means less work for you.
2. Gravel or Stone Perimeter
This one’s great if you’re tired of dealing with muddy spots or grass that never wants to cooperate.
Rake the area flat around the deck, roll out landscape fabric, then dump in gravel or small stones and spread them out with a rake.
Try these basics to keep it simple and not overthink it:
- Use landscape fabric to keep weeds from popping through (lifesaver!)
- Use small gravel or pea stone that’s easy to walk on
- Use a rake to spread everything out evenly
- Use edging if you want to keep the stones contained
Gravel and stone also drain well and keep everything from turning into a mess after it rains.
It’s also one of those setups that looks fine even if it’s not perfectly even.
3. Flower Bed Border
I love this idea because you can go as big or small as you like!
Just carve out a shallow border along one side of the deck, loosen the soil, and plant a few flowers that don’t need babysitting like daylilies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and coreopsis.
If you want a more wild look, just extend the bed further out.
This is a nice option if you want color without feeling like you signed up for daily maintenance.
4. Low Maintenance Shrubs
Shrubs are perfect if you want something that fills space and mostly takes care of itself.
Dig a few holes along the deck, drop them in, water them well at the start, and then let them do their thing.
Stick with varieties that stay smaller so you’re not constantly trimming.
Some that work best for near a deck are:
- Boxwood: stays tidy and doesn’t need frequent trimming
- Spirea: easy to grow and adds soft color without extra work
- Hydrangea: fills space quickly and looks good even when left alone
- Dwarf Lilac: gives you blooms without taking over the area
- Ninebark: tough and forgiving, even in less-than-ideal spots
- Inkberry: a simple evergreen option that keeps its shape naturally
5. Solar Path Lights
These are nice because they make things look intentional without needing wires or a plan.
You just push them into the ground around the deck or along the path you already walk, and that’s pretty much it.
They help define the space once the sun goes down and keep you from stepping off the edge in the dark.
The light is soft, not stadium-bright, which works better for hanging out anyway.
If one stops working, you pull it out and move on, no big deal.
6. Stepping Stone Walkway
If there’s already a natural path people take to get to the deck, this just makes it official!
Lay the stones out first to see how they feel under your feet, then sink them into the ground so they sit level.
And it doesn’t have to be perfectly straight to look good.
A little uneven spacing actually makes it feel more relaxed.
7. Raised Planter Boxes
These are great if bending over isn’t your thing or the ground around the deck isn’t ideal for planting.
You can buy them or build something simple, then place them right where the deck feels bare.
Fill them with soil and plants that don’t need constant attention.
They add height, which makes the space feel layered instead of flat.
You also get way more control over what’s growing!
Speaking of what’s growing, here are some flowers that do really well in raised planter boxes without needing constant attention:
- Zinnias: great for height and color without being delicate
- Petunias: fill space fast and don’t mind a little neglect
- Geraniums: hold up well in the sun and don’t get fussy
- Marigolds: easy growers that add color and bounce back quickly
- Begonias: especially good for spots that don’t get full sun all day
- Impatiens: a solid choice if the area stays mostly shady
8. Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover is a good option when grass refuses to cooperate.
Prep the area by loosening the soil, then plant them a bit closer together so they fill in faster.
At first it looks sparse, which is normal and kind of annoying.
Give it time and it spreads into a solid, low-maintenance layer.
Ground cover plants like creeping thyme, vinca, ajuga, or pachysandra work well because they spread on their own, stay low, and don’t need constant mowing or babysitting.
9. Hostas for Shady Areas
If part of the deck sits in shade most of the day, hostas are an easy win.
Plant them along the edge where other plants struggle and let them do their thing.
They come back every year and don’t need much attention once they’re established.
The big leaves help soften the deck and cover a lot of ground.
This is a solid option when landscaping around your deck includes spots that don’t get much sun.
10. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses add movement without demanding much care.
Plant them near the deck where you can see them sway when there’s a breeze.
They fill space quickly and don’t need constant trimming.
Even in the off season, they still add texture instead of looking totally dead.
They’re especially nice if you want something that doesn’t feel too tidy.
11. Privacy Plants or Bushes
If your deck feels a little too exposed, adding a few plants can help without building anything.
Plant bushes or taller plants along the sides where you want some separation.
They don’t need to form a perfect wall to make a difference.
Even partial coverage can make the space feel calmer.
Pick varieties that won’t outgrow the area too fast.
12. Deck Skirting with Greenery
If the underside of the deck is visible, skirting can clean things up fast.
You can add simple panels or lattice and then plant greenery in front of it.
The plants help soften the hard lines and hide anything stored underneath.
It doesn’t have to be fancy to work.
Even a few plants spaced out make a big visual difference.
More Landscaping Around the Deck Ideas
If the first list got you thinking but didn’t quite hit what you’re looking for, here are a few more ideas to consider!
13. Make Your Deck Larger
If you’ve got a ground-level deck, you can cheat the size a bit by extending the space with a wide flower bed.
Visually, it makes the deck feel bigger even though the boards stop where they stop.
Planting outward instead of fencing things in keeps it open and softer.
It works especially well if the deck already sits close to the yard.
14. Water Feature
A small water feature near the deck adds movement without needing a whole pond situation.
Tucking one into a corner or off to the side keeps it from feeling like it’s in the way.
Even something simple can change the vibe of the space.
It’s more about sound and atmosphere than making a statement.
15. Zen Corner
This works well if you’ve got a quiet side of the deck that doesn’t get much traffic.
Think gravel, a few simple plants, maybe a bench or low chair.
It doesn’t need to look perfect or symmetrical.
The goal is just a calm spot that feels separate from the rest of the yard.
16. Deck Pergola
A pergola gives the deck some height and definition without closing it in.
Adding climbing plants like clematis, climbing roses, or wisteria keeps it from feeling too structured or harsh.
Over time, it starts to feel more like part of the yard than an add-on.
Even partial coverage makes a difference.
17. Outdoor String Lights
String lights instantly make the deck feel more lived in.
You can run them along railings, posts, or overhead if you’ve got a pergola or nearby trees.
They don’t need to be perfectly spaced to look good.
A slightly messy look usually works better anyway.
18. Small Garden Bed Corners
Corners around the deck are easy to overlook, which makes them great spots for small garden beds.
Filling them in helps balance out the straight lines of the deck.
You don’t need many plants for this to work.
Just enough to break up the space and make it feel finished.
Easy Changes for the Space Around Your Deck
Sometimes the deck itself is done, but the space around it just feels unfinished.
That’s usually the part that gets ignored because it feels like it needs a big plan or a lot of time.
In reality, most of these ideas can be done a little at a time, with whatever energy you have that weekend.
You can start with one small change and see how it feels before adding anything else.
The goal is just to make the area around the deck feel a little more inviting, not to turn it into another project that sits half done all summer.
