How We Helped a Marshfield Family Maximize Their Small Backyard With a Custom Deck

 

Probably if you are a Marshfield resident you would be aware of what it is like to try to get the best of a small backyard available. Due to our beachy weather, steep and off-center ground in some localities, and a continuous craving for additional outdoor living space, it might seem that you are of nature's opponent. I have just had the opportunity to work with one family right here in our town that has a little sloping backyard which is a non-starter for them - a perfect example where with the aid of an elegant deck design the problematic yard could be turned into an application area that is visually attractive.

The Challenge: A Small, Sloped Marshfield Backyard

Those folks are residents of one of Marshfield's older neighborhoods that are lovably typical of houses full of personality but are usually associated with small yards. Their yard was sloping, therefore difficult to accommodate furniture and every time it rained water was collected in the lower places. They wanted a space to share dinner outside in summer, let their children run around and maybe have a few friends over for a barbecue.

The thing was that their existing yard was not making it possible for them to do that. Recognize this? Many of us in Marshfield were in the same situation—whether due to the gradient, the dimensions, or the damp seaside soil, backyards can be challenging here.

Listening to the Homeowner’s Vision

Right before we got down to business, they had just one main idea that they were very certain about: only because their yard was small they would not "settle". What they needed was an actual outdoor living space, rather than just a stretch of grass with a couple of seats.

Their dream list was pretty straightforward:

1. Enough space for both a table and a grill.

2. Space for the children to safely hang out with each other.

3. Something that not only resembled the house in terms of color and style but also gave them a feeling of continuity rather than a separate entity.

We always start with the family’s vision because the best outdoor areas are the ones that show the family living in them—not only the property owners.

Our Design Plan to Address the Space Issue

The gradient of their yard was what actually led us to the very solution: a raised deck. Essentially, what we did was we took the uneven ground and turned it inside out.

Since the elevation of the deck was quite small, the end result was a flat, usable surface that was actually a continuation from the back door. We confined the design to the minimum but with the choice of a plain rectangle shape with the clean lines, it did not appear that way. As is often the case when space is an issue, less sometimes really is more. Small decks that are well thought out and laid out flow well with the yard and therefore feel much bigger than an oversized design that doesn't flow.

In order to maintain the practical side of things, we added built-in benches along the edges for seating. This step did away with the need for large, complicated furniture and at the same time increased the free floor space. We also left a corner free for the youngsters so that they could have a small play area of their own or even a kiddie pool in the summer.

Local Issues Solution (Weather & Soil)

Anyone who’s lived in Marshfield for at least three years, knows our coastal weather is quite tough on outdoor structures. The materials between the salty air, humid summers, and freezing winters can deteriorate faster than one might think. It was thus the choice of materials that was the subject of one of the biggest conversations we had with this family.

We proposed composite decking as it is manufactured to resist water and does not require constant re-staining or sealing. This is a deck for those families who want to spend their time more on using the deck than on its upkeep. In addition, composite is very strong against the salty air coming from the sea.

Drainage was another major factor. Since the water was already pooling in their yard, we ensured that the deck design would allow for adequate spacing and drainage at the bottom. Thus, water will not be allowed to collect near the foundation or cause the formation of mud. This is a small thing that makes a big difference over time, especially in Marshfield where heavy spring rains are quite common.

The Final Result: A Functional, Beautiful Deck

The difference was like day and night when everything was completed. The family finally had a place that suited their needs. They could go out their back door onto the deck, prepare the grill, and have dinner outside without feeling congested. The children had a safe place to play, and the built-in benches meant there was always a seat without overcrowding the area.

The thing I liked the most was the sight of them immediately engaging with the deck. They had friends over for a cookout within a week after the finishing. This is what makes all the ordeal worthwhile - it was not just a deck but a new way of enjoying their home.

Tips for Other Marshfield Homeowners With Small Yards

If you have been looking at your backyard and wondering what can be done, here are a few pointers from this project:

1. Try a slope in your yard to your advantage. A hillside does not have to be something negative. Sometimes, a raised deck or multi-level design will actually provide you with more usable space.

2. Choose the right materials for the local weather Deck Installation Services in Marshfield. Composite decking or pressure-treated lumber are both great choices for the coastal weather. Make the longevity of the material your first priority and later when you think about how pretty it looks you will already be glad that you did it.

3. Do not forget the height. In cases, when the area is too small one can think of built-in seating, railing planters, or vertical garden walls. They add more function to the area without taking up the floor space.

4. Don’t forget to make a water plan. Water management is very important in our area. Evaluate the design of your property in terms of drainage so that later you will not have the river or any structural issues.

5. Don’t go big if you can keep it simple. In terms of smart layout, a small deck will be more functional for you than a big one which may seem cluttered. Concentrate on the things which you will use every day.

Conclusion

The story of the family from Marshfield is proof that even a small or challenging yard can be converted into a stunning and functional one. With the right design choices and materials, you can have an outdoor space that feels like a part of your home, not just something that comes after.

Don’t lose hope if your yard is causing you trouble. It is often the peculiarities of your land that make possible to create an extraordinary piece. Whether it is a sloped yard, a small space, or the constant fight against coastal weather, there is almost always a solution that will fit you.

After all, outdoor living is not by any means associated with owning the largest yard, but with the essence of your own home.

Sometimes it turns out that outdoor living is not all about owning a vast yard but rather about bringing the house you have inside out and feeling at ease.