We have wanted to change the lattice below the deck in our backyard for awhile now. We noticed how badly it needed an update when we changed the exterior of our home to the white shake shingle impressions. I wrote a big blog post all about the inspiration we found just in our neighborhood. Instead of the lattice there were so many great ideas to do horizontal slats rather than the lattice. I honestly thought this project seemed SO big, we would have to hire a professional big. Wrong. Kevin is the “professional”. I tell you what this guy just gets after it. And he is self-taught, there wasn’t anyone teaching him how to be handy. Lot of trial and error. So really if Kevin can do it, you can too! I think it’s his can-do, glass-half-full attitude. While we were in Utah he was home working (at his real job) then after work he would come home to this project.
Today I am sharing the DIY tutorials below-
How to add Horizontal Slats to your Deck (ditching the lattice)
How to clean your deck the fast and easy way without damaging your paint
Deck BEFORE with Lattice-
Deck AFTER without Lattice-
First of all just painting the deck all in the same color made such a difference! I makes the deck feel less busy and more modern. Don’t you think? It’s not that I hate lattice. I just thought it seemed like too much with our style of home and style of deck. But also it was the way it was painted too that was busy.
Let’s look at the before again….
Painted Pink Exterior Door-
We painted the back exterior door that same color as our front exterior door. In Coral Perfection from Sherwin Williams (see painting door tips HERE). We have our kitchen door open all the time, I love when the pink side gets to visit inside our home!
We keep our Barbecue below our deck on some white pebble rocks. So much safer than by the house and it won’t damage the siding. And not to mention we save so much space by making a separate spot for Barbecue than on the deck. We also have THIS Outdoor Storage Box (on sale!!) for back-yard toys. The previous home owner used this area as a flower bed, which we didn’t need.
How to Clean a Painted Deck-
Kevin uses THIS Power Washer to clean our deck. With THIS Foam Blaster Attachment. This attachment is perfect for washing cars too. It will not remove the paint from your deck. We use THIS Foam Blaster Detergent.
How to add Horizontal Planks under a Deck-
Kevin was a great blogging husband and took pictures as he went of the process and shared what he did below-
Supplies-
- 8′ long x 3″wide x 1″ thick dry oiled cedar boards (they came in a bundle of 10 at Home Depot for $18 per bundle. We used 18 bundles)
- Circular Saw
- Tape Measure
- Hammer
- Drill
- Construction Screws 1 1/2″
- Behr Premium- Porch and Patio Floor Paint (we used color Slate Gray) Lowe Luster
First he found the center of each of the large sections and added a support beam running vertically by attaching it to the horizontal support beams on the deck. You can see the vertical piece of wood behind the horizontal slats.
Next he would measure each section and then make his cuts with his Circular Saw.
He screwed in the first piece of wood on the top (start at top and work your way down). Using construction screws, 1 1/2″ long. Then used a piece of scrap wood (1″ thick) to space each horizontal plank. Our planks worked out evenly all the way down. But make sure to measure the entire width to see if you need to space it wider or just make a cut on the bottom.
Last step was painting everything in the same color as our already painted deck. We used this same Behr Premium- Porch and Patio Floor Paint three years ago when we moved in and just gave the entire deck a new coat of paint. It held up really well! It is a short day project to paint the deck.
We are so happy with the finished look! No, it is not perfect. But it is better than before and THAT is what matters. Loving and caring enough to put in the work to your home for others.
Related Backyard Blog Posts-
-How to hang String Lights
-15 Examples Instead of using Lattice on your Deck
-Exterior Makeover- Cedar Shake Shingle Impressions
-Privacy Screen
-Beach Sign and How to Hang
-Shop our Outdoor Furniture –
Such a difference! I love it!
Looks so so great! Where are you black planters from that are next to your grill?
I spray painted those black! They were from Wayfair, I don’t see them on their website anymore 🙁
What brand spray painter do you use. I’m in the market for one for small jobs but not sure which one is best, or easiest to use, etc
The horizontal slats and the color being the same as the deck totally transform and “classy up” the look of the back yard! Looks fabulous!!
Looks amazing. I love it
Wow what a difference!! Everything looks GREAT! Kevin is such a good man! You have a beautiful space to enjoy for years to come! Thanks for sharing!
LOVE the slats and the new all new tied in paint too. Have you ever considererd painting your outdoor chairs pink?
Looks awesome!! I kinda wanna see those chairs painted to match the door for a pop of color by the grill. You’ve mentioned before they didn’t hold up like you wished the would but you got em. Paint fixes everything!
Omg! I thought the same thing, twinning! And I wish that they would put one of those black door knobs, that they have in the rest of the house, on the back door – instead of that gold-coloured one. Honestly, I’m way too invested in someone else’s house – but I just love Nesting With Grace. Time to get a grip!
Thanks Ana! For sure have plans to switch the knobs….just trying to decide on one (We want a keyless entry that is not ugly!).
Wow what a difference. This looks amazing. I love the area for the BBQ too.
Looks GREAT! YOU are so inspiring! And I personally like the weathered look of the outdoor chairs by the grill, their color just adds another dimension–which to me equals great design!
Huge difference! Looks awesome! You and Kev just amaze me, you two are such a power couple with your ideas and his craftsmanship! ❤️
He did a great job!! I am curious if it’s closed on all sides? Is there an opening? That’s a great size storage space to put maybe outdoor furniture or something in there?
It does have an opening! We put our ladder under the deck and Finns small cars. Nothing else because it gets wet from rain and snow..
Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading
your posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums
that cover the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
Brooke & fam!
Thanks for the constant inspiration! I LOVE your can-do attitude. You definitely inspire me to try new things in my house and not be afraid because I’m an amateur. I feel very uplifted after reading your blog or instagram.
thank you!!
Monica
Thank you for this Monica! I really hope for that!
Oh my word!!!! Looks AMAZING!!! LOVE IT SO MUCH, Brooke!!! I love the gray too. Nice idea. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Sara!
Another homerun!!!
What brand spray painter do you use. I’m in the market for one for small jobs but not sure which one is best, or easiest to use, etc
We tried a sprayer and did not like it. So just used a roller and a brush!
Reeaally love this. The difference it makes is phenomenal!
Well…you and Kevin are not just talented, you’re over-achievers! You take projects on with gusto, even if aren’t quite sure about it. I recognize that enthusiasm (Mormon here) and all I can say is thank you for giving me courage to make small changes in my home. It’s not easy to teach an old dog new tricks, but I’m learning. 😍
OOOOO! Looks so great! I love it!
I think the lattice would have looked better if it was painted the same gray as the rest of the deck. That said, the wood slats look amazing. Kevin is sure a handy guy!
Looks SO AMAZING!!!! I love how you two work together. You can feel the love!!!
It looks great! Beautiful! Way to go Kevin!
So much better looking! Love it!
Well I think it IS perfect! I love the whole package — the new slats, the deck, the pink door, the furniture. I love it all. I also like that you are willing to jump in and do the work yourselves. If the highest form of flattery is imitation — I think you will see more pink doors, slatted deck bases, and gray/white exteriors than you can imagine. It’s just lovely!