While an open-air deck is excellent for soaking up the sun, covered deck ideas provide many entertaining options. A simple covering can add shade to a yard and, in some cases, provide protection from the rain so you can enjoy fresh air even on a drizzly day.
Deck coverings also don’t have to enclose the space completely; pergolas make attractive, stylish covers that allow plenty of sunshine. It can also help add greenery to your deck with climbing vines and plants. Other deck coverings, such as hanging breezy, opaque curtains, can make your yard feel more private if you don’t already have a fence.
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly covered deck ideas to stylishly upgrade your patio or inspiration for dressing up an existing attached deck covering, these examples will help you create a relaxing, comfortable outdoor room.
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Modern Deck Pergola
The white covering extending over this space from the side of the house is a modern deck idea with simple, clean columns used to support it. The mix of wood paneling with white siding also helps the deck feel like its own space, separate from the rest of the house. Dressing up the area with colorful throw pillows, furniture, and hanging plants creates a comfortable atmosphere.
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Shady Greenery
If you’re willing to wait for plants to grow, the draping vines of this pergola provide a natural covered deck idea. The leaves and stems hanging through the wood beams also help draw the eye upward and add color to a predominantly white area. Since the deck is set up for outdoor dining, a hanging string of lights also helps the area function day or night.
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Sloped Deck Covering
This covered deck idea features high ceilings thanks to a slightly sloped covering. It adds drama to the outdoor space while offering shelter from rain and sun. The placement of the wood beams also helps frame the pool in the rest of the yard, highlighting the views.
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Cozy Covered Deck Ideas
The natural wood beams overhanging this deck fit well with the Bohemian style throughout the space. The beams are also suitable for installing outdoor lighting, such as wood pendants. Since the deck is completely covered, it’s protected from the elements, making it easy to style the space with an outdoor rug, plush furniture, and throw pillows and cushions.
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Modern Deck Covering
A few support beams are all that’s needed to add the sloped wood covering for this covered deck idea. Connecting the deck covering to the home makes construction a little easier than a freestanding structure would be. Matching wood flooring on the deck helps this space feel modern and relaxed.
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Budget-Friendly Covered Deck Idea
The existing covering for this deck is just a few simple wood beams, similar to a pergola. But weaving long pieces of fabric (or even curtains) between the beams adds shade and style in a simple DIY. This budget-friendly deck covering can also be taken down easily and stored for the winter when the weather turns chilly.
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Attached Covered Deck
This stylish covered deck uses an overhang from the home for shade. The wood beams in the ceiling almost match the wood flooring used on the deck, giving the space a cohesive feel. Accents of color, such as the sage green trim, offset the light green shingled siding used on the home and create a calming feeling.
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Screened-In Covered Deck Idea
Screening in three-quarters of this covered deck makes it usable for most of the year. If you want plenty of coverage from the elements, consider adding a similar wooden roof overhang to your deck, then screening in the sides to help keep out pests. Installing a fireplace at one end also creates a great hangout spot for the cooler months of the year.
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Covered Deck with Shades
This deck shows several options for creating shade and privacy. The wood beams running across the top let in plenty of light but could be easily enclosed with draped curtains. Adjustable shades hanging along the side of the deck would make a simple addition and, when unrolled, add privacy and protection from the sun.
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Deck Overhang
In a backyard where a pool takes center stage, a covered deck is a great place to relax in the shade or dry off before heading inside. This design includes a built-in overhang to cover the seating area on the deck. If your home doesn’t already have much of an overhang, you might be able to extend it to cover your deck by adding a few support beams.
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Simple Covered Deck with Balcony
Create a deck space under an existing overhang, such as a balcony. This home uses the extra coverage provided by the balcony to add another area for relaxing outdoors. A simple slab in the backyard creates a space to place matching lounge chairs with plenty of privacy from the surrounding trees.
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Freestanding Deck Cover
If you have an open-air deck but want more coverage, consider installing a simple wooden pergola. This covered deck idea doesn’t shade the entire space but adds extra structure to one side and partially covers the main seating area. A pergola also allows you to drape fabric or introduce climbing plants for more shade and style.
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Southwest-Style Deck Cover
This covered deck idea takes inspiration from popular home designs in the Southwest. The sloped tile roof shields sun and rain, while the placement of the white walls and columns almost makes the covered deck feel like a tiny home with open-air windows. Since only half the deck is covered, this type of design also allows for soaking up the sun or relaxing in the shade.
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Deck with Privacy Curtains
If you want a budget-friendly covered deck idea, gauzy curtains are one of the best options. With no extra building required, hanging several curtains from any existing beams or structure around your deck is a simple solution. Not only do the white curtains on this deck add style, but they also add privacy and shade when closed.
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Simple Deck Beams
This covered deck doubles as a living room. The beams help enclose the space a bit, making it feel almost like an indoor space while still letting in plenty of natural light. Faux grass covering the ground helps the space feel outdoorsy, while styling touches such as the bar cart and end tables help make the deck look polished and sophisticated.
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Limited Space Deck
A slight overhang creates an intimate seating area for this home. Though it isn’t large, it provides enough space for a couple of Adirondack chairs to relax in, and feels cozier with hanging pendant lights.
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Deck with High Ceilings
Your deck doesn’t have to be a grand addition to your backyard. This covered deck utilizes the existing overhang of the home and is tucked into a corner against two exterior walls, creating an ultra-private outdoor space. Placing the outdoor lounge along the shorter wall helps open up the space and make it feel roomy.
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Coastal Style Covered Deck Idea
This covered deck with coastal style is almost completely enclosed, except for a small open-air space separated by columns. The windows add protection from the elements and help control the airflow throughout the space. Keeping the walls and ceiling white and using pale wood floors help bring more light to the enclosed space.
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Covered Deck Dining Area
This covered deck has a high ceiling, making it a great outdoor dining space. Complete protection from rain makes using a vintage dining table with wood and wicker chairs for warm-weather meals possible. The dark green hutch adds a space to store dishes or utensils.
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Cozy Entryway Deck
An overhang connected to the home helps create a cozy, private space on this deck. Since much of the space is used as a walkway, a hanging egg chair is a great option for adding seating without making the area feel crowded. Bold-colored cushions and pillows also bring brightness to the shady corner.
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What to Know About Pergolas for Covered Decks
Pergolas are a great way to add coverage to your outdoor living area. Our favorites range in prices and sizes to suit any backyard and budget. You can incorporate a trellis into a pergola to add greenery to your overhang or a gate and fence to add design to the entire space. If you're handy, you can DIY a pergola with planters on a weekend and spruce it up with a fire pit, a hot tub, or both—whichever is your favorite way to relax. Your guests may never leave!