When Des Moines homeowners start planning outdoor living projects, they often focus on the basics. This makes a lot of sense, because deck size, patio location, and porch style all matter a lot.
But what separates the best outdoor living projects from the rest are the little details. Extraordinary design often comes down to thoughtful features and customization options. As experienced Des Moines outdoor living builders serving Ankeny, Grimes, Clive, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, and surrounding communities, we help families understand how these elements can turn standard projects into beautiful custom designs perfectly tailored to their lifestyle.
Every feature we incorporate serves a purpose. This is true whether the goal is enhancing aesthetics, improving functionality, or adding value to your property.
In this guide, let's explore the options that make outdoor living spaces truly exceptional.
Picture Framing and Borders
One of the most striking yet understated design elements available for decks, staircases, and patios is picture framing. That is, using border treatments to define spaces and create visual interest.
For decks, picture-frame borders can match your primary decking color or use complementary tones. When choosing contrasting colors, the deck fascia trim typically matches the border color, which gives the appearance of cohesive visual flow. Stair treads also follow the same color scheme, which keeps the coloring consistent throughout the structure.
A lot of Des Moines deck companies recommend two-board borders on decks with railings. This is because the extra width "pops" visually as railings cover just one board. Beyond aesthetics, picture framing offers technical benefits that offset costs compared to other trim options, making it both beautiful and practical.
But picture framing isn’t only for decks and porches. Paver products include complementary accent or border pieces that highlight shapes or define functional areas. Stamped concrete patios can incorporate different stamp patterns and finish colors for borders, which provides similar visual definition without using different materials.
Curved Designs and Patios
Curved elements, whether on decks or patios, add sophistication that squared corners simply can't match. As one of our designers says, curves "soften the edges like a nice glass of wine."
For decks, there's a distinction between simply bending edge bands and fascia trim versus truly curving deck boards and railings. Both approaches work. We can curve boards with heating materials making them more malleable for shaping.
Curved patios flow naturally with site conditions. Concrete's malleability makes curves almost standard, while pavers can be turned and cut to achieve flowing lines that complement landscaping.
It’s true that curving increases both material and labor costs. But most homeowners who choose to spring for the extra cost are very happy with how sophisticated the overall look ends up being.
That said, curves aren't always the answer. If you’re planning a corner sectional for your deck, then squared corners might serve you better. These are the kinds of considerations that come out as we chat with one another during the design consultation process.
Integrated Lighting
Many deck builders recommend lighting as one of the highest-value upgrades available. As one client memorably stated during their project design: "Lighting makes a $20,000 deck look like a $30,000 deck." Enough said!
Lighting is functionally very valuable, because it makes your property safer, particularly on staircases and level changes. Proper illumination prevents accidents while extending usable hours well into the evening.
We prefer subtle, indirect lighting that enhances rather than overwhelms outdoor spaces, though we can accommodate any style preference. We typically coordinate with our sister-franchise partner, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, and in doing so, make the best use of their specialized knowledge to plan and install the most effective configurations.
Lighting integrates beautifully into virtually all outdoor structures. That includes decks, porches, patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and more and it can radically transform how you experience outdoor spaces after dark.
Stone and Brick
Stone adds attractive “mass” to outdoor structures while delivering exceptional return on investment. According to Zonda's 2025 Cost vs Value Report, veneer stone projects rank third among all home remodeling projects with 208% cost recoupment. Basically, when you put stone in place, the value of your home goes up by more than you spend to install the stone.
Consider this example: A $50,000 composite deck typically retains about 89% of its value ($44,500), representing a $5,500 loss. That same deck with $8,000 in stone columns would see similar retention on the deck component, but the stone delivers $8,640 in value return. The end result is a net gain of $3,140. Your $58,000 stoned deck becomes worth $61,140, nearly a 5.5% investment gain.
Des Moines patio companies and deck builders will often incorporate stone in deck columns, porch pillars, pergola supports, fireplaces, TV walls, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, patio seat walls, and fire pits. Just about any vertical element benefits from stone's substantial presence.
In short, stone and light go a long way toward making decks feel deluxe!
Rail Top Bars and Drink Rails
Not every outdoor space can accommodate a full-scale bar, and not every budget has room to include one. It’s here that rail top bars and drink rails can provide functional, attractive, and cost-effective alternatives.
Adding bar or counter space into railing systems adds that valuable entertaining functionality without requiring dedicated floor space or big budget increases.
For further cost savings, you could go for drink rails (sometimes called cocktail rails). This adds a flat surface to the top of railings that would otherwise be too narrow or rounded to hold beverages safely. It’s a simple addition, but one that dramatically improves entertaining functionality.
Privacy Fences
Ask any “porch builders near me” and you’ll probably hear about huge increases in privacy fence demand over recent years. Several factors drive this trend:
- Improved products and styling make privacy fences more attractive than previous generations
- As people spend more time outdoors, privacy becomes increasingly important
- People are valuing personal space to a greater degree than previous decades
No matter the reason, privacy fencing has become standard in many outdoor living projects, creating intimate spaces within larger yards.
Under-Deck Spaces
Des Moines porch companies and patio builders are increasingly adding more usable spaces beneath elevated decks. Part of why this is possible now is by using wide-spanned posts, strategically placed. This makes the under-deck space feel more open.
There’s also been great improvement in underdeck drainage systems too. The effect of this being that proper drainage makes formerly unusable space functional even in bad weather. This also has the side benefit of improving aesthetics so that you’re not just looking up and seeing joists.
Let’s Build Something Beautiful Together
Every feature we've discussed can be mixed, matched, and tailored to your specific needs, property characteristics, and budget. The key is working with Des Moines deck companies, porch builders, and patio specialists who understand how these elements work together to create cohesive outdoor living spaces.
If you want to see how these features come together out in the real world, check out our gallery to see real projects. You can also download our complimentary design guide to explore possibilities for your property.
It would be our distinct pleasure to meet with you for a no-obligation complimentary design consultation. Call Harold Cross and his team at 515-203-8734, or contact us using our online form.
