Imagine being able to go outside on your new deck, in the month of October, enjoying the fall foliage when it’s at its peak in Fort Wayne, cup of coffee in hand.
This is the kind of thing that Fort Wayne homeowners think about when they’re planning outdoor living projects. And that’s a good place to start from, because imagining how you’ll really use the space determines so much that comes afterward.
Once it comes down to details, a lot of homeowners focus on the basics like size, materials, budget. But it’s the features and small details that really make a big difference in day to day living.
As experienced Fort Wayne outdoor living builders, we've spent years refining the design elements that transform decks, porches, and patios from simple platforms into spaces families actually use. Here's what you need to know about the features that matter most.
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Picture Frame Borders
Picture frame borders involve running perimeter boards perpendicular to the main decking pattern, creating a framed appearance. Fort Wayne deck companies can use the same color for a subtle effect or contrasting colors for visual impact.
When using contrasting colors, the fascia trim typically matches the border color. This gives a sense of visual cohesion from every angle. Stair treads and risers usually follow the same color scheme, extending the design throughout the entire structure.
On decks with railings, we typically install two-board borders rather than a single-board. This is because railings cover part of a single board, but a two-board border "pops" more visually even with the railing in place.
There's a practical benefit too. Picture framing actually offsets some costs compared to other deck trim approaches because of how the boards run and how materials get utilized during installation.
This tends to work best on decks, patio borders (since many paver products offer complementary accent pieces), and stamped concrete patios (with different stamp patterns or finish colors as borders).
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Lighting
We once had a client say during design: "Lighting makes a $20,000 deck look like a $30,000 deck." That's stayed with us because it's true.
On a practical level, lighting provides an added element of safety. But safety alone isn’t the only reason to add lighting, as the right lights can make your outdoor space into something you can enjoy even more after sunset.
Our preference leans toward subtle, indirect lighting—post lights, recessed stair lights, under-rail lighting. But if you want something brighter or more dramatic, we can accommodate that too.
Fort Wayne porch companies recommend integrated lighting especially with screened porches and three-season rooms where lighting extends the usability of the space well into evening hours.
Lighting works well just about everywhere, but to give you some examples: decks (posts, stairs, under railings), porches, patios, and outdoor kitchens.
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Stone and Brick
Stone adds attractive "mass" to outdoor structures. The most common applications include deck columns, porch columns, pergola columns, fireplaces, TV walls, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, patio seat walls, and fire pits—basically any vertical element.
But stone also adds measurable value. According to recent cost-versus-value data, stone veneer projects consistently show strong returns on investment.
Case in point, a composite deck without stone columns might expect roughly 89% cost retention at resale. But add stone columns to that same deck, and the stone component alone can show over 200% cost recoupment. The math works out to a net gain rather than the typical loss you see with most home improvements.
Beyond numbers, stone looks beautiful. And at night with proper lighting? Even better.
Stone and brick are a stunning design element when found in deck columns, porch columns, pergola posts, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, seat walls, walkways, fire pits, and retaining walls.
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Rail Top Bars and Drink Rails
If you don’t have room or budget for a full outdoor bar, you might like rail top bars and drink rails instead. It’s a functional, attractive option, and can be a good deal cheaper. This works particularly well on decks where you want serving space during gatherings but don't want to sacrifice floor area for a standalone bar structure.
Between the two, the lowest price option is adding a drink rail (sometimes called a cocktail rail) to the top of your railing. This is a good addition because standard railings are often too narrow or rounded to safely hold a drink. A drink rail solves that problem affordably.
Fort Wayne patio companies see similar applications on patio seat walls where the cap can double as a surface for setting drinks or plates during outdoor meals.
Privacy Fences
We've seen massive increases in privacy fence demand over recent years, and there are many reasons for that. For one, products and styling have improved dramatically. Today's privacy fences look designed rather than utilitarian.
And also, as people spend more time in outdoor living spaces, they naturally want more privacy. You're essentially creating outdoor rooms, and rooms need walls.
Privacy fences can integrate directly into deck railings, stand as separate structures around patios, or define boundaries for entire outdoor living areas.
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Patio Spaces Under Elevated Decks
If you're building an elevated deck, the space underneath doesn't have to become a dark storage area or wasted real estate. In fact, there are two major things you can do to make the most of your under-deck patio space.
You can start by using wide-span posts. This maximizes open space below the deck and improves sightlines, both of which make the area feel less confined.
Then you add under-deck drainage systems as well. These systems capture water that would otherwise drip through decking boards, keeping the space below dry and clean. Instead of looking up at exposed joists and dripping water, you get a finished ceiling and a dry usable patio space.
This effectively gives you two outdoor living areas in the footprint of one.
Custom Design
Good “porch builders near me” and “deck builders near me” will tell you: individual features only work when they're worked into a cohesive design. Preferably, one that matches how you'll use the space.
So you’ll need to ask yourself questions about how you live, such as:
- Do you entertain large groups or prefer intimate gatherings?
- Do you need spaces that accommodate furniture, grills, and fire features?
- Are there views you want to preserve or block?
- How much time do you want to spend on maintenance?
This is part of what we go over in our custom designs process. We help you explore these questions and more before ever breaking ground.
Looking for “Fort Wayne Deck or Porch Builders Near Me?”
We build throughout the Fort Wayne area and surrounding communities including Roanoke, Columbia City, Angola, Leo, Auburn, the Aboite area, Huntertown, and throughout Steuben County.
Whether you're looking at decks, porches, patios, or complete outdoor living spaces, browse ourgallery to see how these features come together in real projects.
Download ourcomplimentary design guide for more planning details.
Call Craig Whitman, and his team, at (855) 931-4746; orclick this link right here to connect with us.
