When landscaping around your deck, the goal is to make it feel anchored and intentional. The right landscaping can make your deck feel bigger, warmer, and a lot more inviting. You don’t want something that looks cheap, but it’s a win if you can pull off an expensive look with a limited budget. With these cheap ways to landscape around your deck, you can make even the most basic materials look polished. They focus on materials that are easy to source, simple to install, and easy on the eye.
1. Gravel Border
When in doubt, cover everything with a gravel border and call it a day. There isn’t a landscaping feature that doesn’t look good with a classic gravel border, and your deck is no exception. Gravel creates a visual break between wood and soil/grass and it also helps with drainage and weed prevention if you use landscape fabric underneath. You can use pea gravel, crushed stone, or decomposed granite and add simple metal or stone edging to keep everything in place. It’s cheap, it’s pretty, and it’s low maintenance. What more could you ask for?
2. Mulch Beds
The softness of wood mulch, bark chips, and pine needles are perfect for softening the hard edges of a deck. Mulch suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and keeps your plants happy throughout the year. Use mulch beds to curve around the deck for a natural look, or go for straight lines for a modern look. The color you choose should match your vibe and aesthetic preferences. Dark mulch makes plants pop, while light mulch can brighten up shaded areas. To keep the area around your deck tidy it’s recommended to refresh the mulch once a year.
3. Potted Plants
Whether you’re looking for easy fixes, temporary setups, or cheap ways to landscape around your deck, you should consider potted plants. It’s an instant upgrade without digging in the soil around your deck and the pots can be moved as seasons change. Use large pots to anchor corners and smaller ones to fill gaps and paint them to match your deck aesthetic. Choose hardy plants that suit your climate and group terracotta, plastic, or recycled pots together to make maintenance easy.
4. Solar Stake Lights
Lighting is just as effective as gravel when it comes to freshening up a space with a low budget. You can never go wrong with solar lights because they reduce energy costs and eliminate electrical wires all over the place. Place some solar stake lights along the edges of your deck, paths, or garden beds to create a polished look that makes your space usable after dark. The process sounds costly but even inexpensive lights can do the trick if you space them evenly and choose the right tones. Warm white feels cozy and welcoming, while cooler tones feel modern and expensive.
5. River Rock Edging
Sometimes it’s good to separate the deck from the rest of the yard, but you don’t want it to be too obvious. River rocks create a natural transition that softens deck lines and adds texture to your yard. They’re durable and they don’t decompose, so they’ll last you a lifetime if you lay them in a shallow trench to keep them stable. For an organic look, mix different shapes and sizes rather than choosing uniform stones.
6. Low Shrubs
All shrubs are great, but when it comes to cheap ways to landscape around your deck, low-and-slow growing shrubs are superior. That’s because they provide structure and beauty without blocking the view from your deck. They also need less maintenance than tall, fast-growing shrubs that need frequent pruning. Plant the shrubs in simple rows or clusters near the perimeter of the deck and use mulch or pea gravel underneath to keep weeds under control. Shrubs also attract pollinators, so they’ll add some life to your deck area.
7. Recycled Brick Edging
Recycled brick edging and affordable are one and the same. Salvaged bricks cost much less and they’ve got a lot more character than the perfect expensive bricks bought from hardware stores. Use your cheap bricks to make edging for your deck by laying them flat. You can even let them stand upright for an entirely different look. The idea is to let the brick edging serve a functional and aesthetic purpose by keeping planting beds, gravel, and mulch contained. Bricks come in many shades and colors, so try to find reclaimed bricks that suit your landscape.
8. Hanging Plants
If your deck has a railing you’re set up for success. But if it doesn’t, you can always use a pergola or freestanding frame to hang some potted plants from hooks. Hanging plants don’t take up any ground space but they add character and visual interest to any outdoor setting. They also make watering much easier as you don’t have to bend down. And how are you going to forget to take care of plants that are hanging right in front of you? For a wild, cottage-like look you should opt for trailing plants that spill over the side.
9. Trellis Plants
Wooden and metal trellises come in many shapes and sizes, which is why they’re perfect for adding height and privacy to your deck. Choose simple wooden or even metal trellises and place them near the perimeter. You can anchor them down in soil or mount them to large pots that are painted to match your outdoor look. Plant some of your favorite climbing plants like jasmine, ivy, or beans against the frames to grow upward and soften the hard lines.
10. Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers offer color that sticks without yearly replanting. These flowers come back stronger each year, so you’ll never waste your money if you buy a packet or perennial flower seeds. Choose varieties that suit your climate and plant them in groups for more impact. Alternatively, you can sprinkle a packet of wildflower seeds in a garden bed around your deck and let them work their magic. Wildflower seeds offer constant bursts of color as each variety gets its chance to shine throughout the seasons.
