#deckinspo

“This weekend I finally got around to sketching out the backyard…”

Okay, when I say “sketching,” I mean wildly scribbling on the back of a grocery receipt while sipping iced coffee on the deck-that’s-not-a-deck. It’s just concrete, uneven, cracked, and hot as Kansas sun. But I’ve been staring at that little stretch of space for years and wondering: what if?

What if we had real seating? What if I didn’t have to drag the umbrella around chasing shade? What if there was a space that felt pulled together and intentional?

That’s what led me down the rabbit hole and onto a page from The Decksperts — Custom Deck Building Services in Mission Hills, KS. I’ve never lived in Mission Hills, but it’s close enough to Shawnee that I trust the weather and layout similarities. And let me just say — that page felt like someone had taken the half-baked ideas from my brain and turned them into a plan.

They talk about decks being more than just platforms. (Preach.) It’s not just a place to plop a grill. It’s a full-blown outdoor living space. It’s your quiet morning nook, your Friday night wine zone, your weekend s’mores station. And the way they write about designing with climate in mind? Huge. Because Kansas doesn’t play around. One minute it’s sunny and the next it’s blowing sideways rain.

Their take on weather-resistant materials and custom designs got me thinking about how a deck can actually reflect your family’s rhythm. Like — do you want a covered deck because you’re outside all the time, rain or shine? Or do you want a multi-level space because your yard is a little hilly (ours is — one end drops off toward the neighbor’s fence like it’s trying to escape)?

They also brought up something I hadn’t thought of: stairs and transitions. Their projects in Mission Hills often include smart solutions for sloped yards, and it honestly made me see my weirdly uneven backyard as an opportunity, not a flaw. Like maybe this is our chance to do something cool and custom.

And don’t get me started on pergolas. I’ve never been a huge “structure” person (I tend to like open space), but now I keep picturing this breezy wood frame filtering the afternoon light, maybe with climbing plants… or twinkle lights… or both?

My husband keeps teasing me that I’m on a “deck Pinterest vision board spiral,” but honestly, this page gave me more clarity than scrolling endlessly through aesthetic photos. Because it’s local. It’s real. It’s not some Malibu mansion. It’s someone who gets Kansas. Someone who gets my yard.

If you’re anywhere near where I am — stuck between wanting to overhaul your yard but unsure where to start — I’d recommend giving this a read: https://www.thedeckspertskc.com/areas-we-serve/mission-hills-ks. It sparked more ideas than any mood board ever has.

Next step for me? Maybe ditch the receipt sketches and actually call someone.

“There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing your neighborhood through a new lens…”

You’d think after a decade of living in Shawnee I’d have stopped noticing the little things — but last week, while walking the dog down our usual route, I passed a house with a brand-new deck and nearly tripped over my own feet doing a double take.

It wasn’t flashy. No crazy colors or complicated shapes. But it worked. Like it belonged to the house and extended it somehow — same lines, same energy. Wide steps, low lighting, composite boards that looked like real wood but cleaner. Effortless. I instantly imagined myself out there, glass of sangria in hand, watching the sun go down with that same quiet satisfaction.

So, naturally, I came home and went looking. Deck envy activated. I ended up on this page from The Decksperts — Custom Deck Construction Services in Shawnee, KS — and yep, that’s the vibe I was after.

What I liked was how they really get Shawnee. Like, they’re not just builders who happen to be nearby. They know this place. The local quirks. The zoning stuff. The soil (yes, we have weird soil). They even mentioned helping homeowners navigate HOA requirements, and that alone is worth gold. Ours has more rules than a middle school dance.

I appreciated how they broke down real options — from sunlight exposure to low-maintenance upgrades. One example stood out: a family in Hillcrest Farms who switched to composite to avoid yearly maintenance. That got me thinking. I’m all for the warmth of real wood, but I also know myself. I won’t be out there staining and sealing every season. Let’s be honest — I can barely keep our tomatoes alive.

And they really emphasize design that fits the way you live. For me? That means shade in the late afternoon (we roast like rotisserie chickens around 4 p.m.) and a wide enough space for our giant outdoor beanbags and my kid’s inflatable pool that we pretend isn’t a choking hazard.

The way they describe it, it’s not just about the deck. It’s about flow — how it connects to the kitchen, where people gather, how you move from indoors to out. That’s where I’m stuck. We have this awkward drop from our sliding door to the patio that always felt… off. But after reading about their ideas on stairs, railings, and multilevel designs? I feel like I can finally picture it.

I’m definitely bookmarking this: https://www.thedeckspertskc.com/areas-we-serve/shawnee-ks. Not just because they’re local, but because the way they talk about building feels personal, almost collaborative. Like they’re not just trying to “finish a job” but build something you’ll use.

No final decisions yet, but I’ll admit… I’ve started moving the patio furniture around in my head. Rewriting summer. One plank at a time.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how much time we actually spend outside when the weather’s good — and how often I wish I had a better spot to soak it all in.

Don’t get me wrong — I love our backyard. It’s peaceful, big enough for our dog to roam, and the trees put on a whole show in the fall. But our current deck? It’s… fine. A bit wobbly in places. A little too small for when we have more than three friends over. It creaks when you step just right. Or wrong.

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing something more intentional with it. Not just a repair — a true upgrade. Something that fits how we actually live now, not how the last homeowners lived ten years ago. I want space for a grill that isn’t squished in the corner. Maybe even a lounge chair where I can read on those rare quiet mornings.

This weekend, after mowing the lawn and staring at the deck like it might answer my questions, I ended up looking up local deck contractors. I figured it couldn’t hurt to see what folks nearby were doing. That’s how I found this page from Corbin Restoration — all about their work in Hennepin County. It’s here: https://www.corbinrestoration.com/service-areas/hennepin-county

What pulled me in wasn’t just the polished project photos (though wow, there are some beauties). It was how thoughtful they seem to be about Minnesota weather — like how the snow and summer heat age certain deck materials differently. Living in Coon Rapids, we get our fair share of both extremes, so that hit close to home.

They talked a lot about helping people choose between wood and composite decking — and that hit a nerve for me. I’ve been going back and forth on that exact issue. I love the feel of real wood. But I also really love the idea of not staining and sealing it every few years. Especially now that our weekends are booked solid with soccer, birthday parties, and the occasional hope of sleeping in.

One detail I liked from their Hennepin projects was how they tailor decks to different styles of homes. That matters to me more than I expected. Ours is a mid-century ranch and I don’t want a deck that looks like it belongs on a new build in a different part of town. I want something that feels cohesive — like it’s always been here, just waiting for us to use it better.

I even caught myself sketching a little mock layout Sunday evening — nothing fancy, just playing with ideas. A wider platform with room for both dining and lounging. Maybe a pergola or a trellis for some climbing vines (and yes, I did fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole after that). A few built-in planters for herbs and wildflowers wouldn’t hurt either.

Am I ready to pull the trigger on a full rebuild yet? Not totally. But this idea of building something for us, something that reflects who we are now and how we live in this space — it’s stuck in my brain like a song I can’t stop humming.

And honestly? I like the sound of it.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about our backyard and how underused it feels.

We’ve lived here in Hampden for just over six years, and the backyard has always had “potential,” but that’s as far as it went. A grassy patch, a tired old firepit ring, and two mismatched plastic chairs was about all we had going on. Don’t get me wrong—it’s peaceful. Trees line the back, and the sun filters in beautifully in the evening. But we never use it. It’s not inviting. And every spring I get this little itch to finally do something about it.

This year, I think I’m finally ready to scratch that itch.

It started as a vague idea—“what if we built a deck?”—but quickly snowballed into Pinterest boards, scribbled sketches, and me standing outside with a tape measure like I knew what I was doing. I imagined something with enough space for a dining table, maybe a lounger or two, and some built-in seating or planters. A place for coffee in the morning. Dinner with friends in the summer. Maybe even a hot tub someday (a girl can dream).

Of course, dreaming is easy. Actually knowing how to make it real? That’s the hard part.

I started doing some research, mostly to figure out whether a deck is something we could tackle ourselves or if it was out of our league (spoiler: it is). That’s how I ended up on this page from a local company, Vantage Decks and Siding—deck installation in Brewer. It’s not right in Hampden, but close enough, and their approach really struck a chord.

What I appreciated right away is that they don’t just slap some boards together and call it a day. They talk about things like code compliance, climate concerns (Maine winters, anyone?), and how decks need to be part of your home, not an afterthought. It got me thinking not just about size and layout, but about materials—like composite vs. wood. And what kind of maintenance I actually want to deal with in five years (hint: not much).

They also mentioned built-in seating and lighting, which kind of blew my mind. I hadn’t even thought about lighting. But imagining a softly lit deck on a summer evening with string lights and a bottle of wine? Yeah. That’s what I want.

And honestly, it was helpful to see that they walk you through everything—from permits to cleanup. That’s the kind of no-drama approach I need in my life. We’ve worked with contractors before who left us guessing, and I swore never again.

It’s funny how once you start imagining these things, your brain won’t let go. Now every time I step out the back door, I picture where the stairs would go. Whether the grill should be on the left or right. If we could get away with a pergola for shade, or if an umbrella will have to do for now. Even my partner, who was all “eh, we’re fine as is” at first, has started saying things like, “if we did build a deck, maybe we could add a bench here.”

So yeah. I’m not pulling the trigger just yet. But I’m feeling a lot closer than I was even a week ago. And it’s nice to know there are local pros like Vantage who seem to get it. No pressure. No cookie-cutter solutions. Just solid craftsmanship and smart guidance.

It’s got me thinking about what’s possible this summer. And that’s a pretty good place to start.