Good Times on deck

I have been talking a lot about home improvement lately. I think it is one of many the byproducts of the pandemic and being trapped at home more than usual. When you constantly occupy the same space, it starts to get a lot more boring. Additionally, when work expectations shift to accommodate the pandemic, it can leave you feeling unproductive. Home improvement projects can help with both struggles.

There are so many options to consider for home renovation endeavors. If you read my previous post you would know that we have been strongly considering bathroom renovations. Specifically updating our shower and creating an enclosure.

Aside from that, we don't have much else planned for indoor work, besides changing a few rugs and a bit of re-decorating. But I have a lot of ideas for outside our home. I think I also mentioned my plans to start a vegetable garden. That is something I have wanted to do for years, I just never wanted to take the initiative out of fear of failing. But the real fun is in trying and spending time working toward something and bonding with my children. I just found the best garden hose.

The outside needs a lot more work than that, though. Specifically we have an old, rundown wooden swing set. It is falling apart and not big enough (or save enough) to serve my children any longer. First, we will be removing that. Next, I plan to convert the space.

The most likely idea right now is a pool. We don't have enough room for an underground pool. I am not the biggest fan of above ground, because I like them to be level to where we will be walking and sitting. But I have been looking into other options and realized we can build a deck around the above ground pool.

The space we have available is right off the back porch anyway, so it would be perfect to build a deck that is joined to the porch by a small set of steps, essentially giving our pool area the below ground feel that we desire.

Now, planting a garden might be something I can handle (we will have to see when the time comes), but building a deck absolutely is not. Thankfully, I don't have to learn how to do it myself, I just need to know where to go to have it done right. Decks & Docks makes it easy. They offer so many types of construction and renovation services (which you can browse here). 

What catches my interest is the composite decking, which is sure to hold up better than traditional wood only versions for the harsh weather conditions here in Florida. Going back to that wooden swing set that is destroyed by excessive rain and scalding sun. And of course, railings, to make the deck safe for our children and my clumsy self.

If you are in the same pandemic rut as us, not only will changing up your living space make the time you spend there feel less repetitive, it will also give you a goal, a sense of accomplishment to strive for.