Deck Tour: Multilevel Deck with Eye-Catching Arbors

A Dream Deck for Family Gatherings

This eye-catching deck came about when the Iowa homeowners decided to trade their rickety, 14-year-old deck for an updated living space that facilitated family togetherness. They needed a deck large enough to seat a family of 12 for dinner. They also wanted multiple levels to eliminate a long single flight of stairs.

The result: a two-level cedar deck, wisteria privacy screens, two arbors with overhead latticework, and surrounding plantings. The top level of the deck, occupied by a gas grill and a small table and chairs, measures 20x14 feet. Stairs descend to the lower deck level, which includes two distinct areas. The larger of the two, built for the full family dinner table, is 15.5x12 feet.