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20 March, 2025
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Sanding UK
Planning a decking installation involves more than just picking your favourite wood species or colour — the size of your decking boards plays a surprisingly important role in the final look and feel of your outdoor space. While there are no strict rules when it comes to choosing board dimensions, certain sizes and layouts can work better for specific spaces, shapes, and design goals.
Selecting the right board size can help visually stretch or widen your deck, enhance its shape, or even transform its entire style. In this guide, we’ll explore how board width and length influence appearance, and how you can use clever combinations to create a space that feels more open, balanced, or uniquely yours.
Choosing Deck Board Size Based on Deck Length
When designing a deck, the overall length of the area can strongly influence which board sizes will work best. Many people assume that long decks require longboards — and while that’s certainly one option, it’s not the only one. In fact, shorter boards laid across the width of a narrow, elongated deck can create the illusion of a wider space, adding balance and visual interest.
You can also get creative with direction and contrast. For example, using boards in different colours or installing them in alternating directions at each end of the deck can break up the length visually, making the space feel more dynamic and less linear. Wide boards are another great tool for reducing the emphasis on length and drawing attention to the width instead, helping you achieve a more proportionate and inviting layout.
- Use shortboards across narrow decks to visually increase width
- Alternate board direction at each end for a more balanced appearance
- Wide boards help reduce the visual length of long, slim decks
Choosing Deck Board Size Based on Deck Width
Just like deck length, the width of your deck can influence which board dimensions will create the most attractive outcome. For decks that are wider than they are long, selecting boards that run along the width can make the space feel even more expansive and open. This layout draws the eye outward, enhancing the deck’s horizontal flow and making it appear larger than it is.
You can also mix board lengths or use varying widths to avoid visual monotony and create a more dynamic design. Whether you want to emphasise spaciousness or simply avoid a boxy look, using your board orientation and size strategically will allow you to fine-tune the atmosphere and proportion of your outdoor area.
- Run boards across the width to visually expand the space
- Vary board lengths or widths for more interesting visual flow
Using Board Size to Alter Deck Shape
If your deck isn’t a standard rectangle — for example, it’s octagonal, hexagonal, or has curved edges — the right combination of decking board sizes can help you shape the space visually. By mixing board lengths and widths, you can highlight angles, guide movement, and even create the illusion of a different shape altogether. This is particularly useful for custom-designed decks where aesthetics and balance are equally important.
For instance, using narrow boards along diagonal lines can enhance geometric designs, while wide boards can simplify busy layouts and reduce the visual complexity. Not only does this approach give your outdoor area a unique and eye-catching look, but it can also help you optimise material use and reduce installation costs.
If you are planning a custom-shaped build, our decking installation service can help you make the most of your layout with professional design and fitting advice tailored to your space.
Style and Atmosphere: Traditional vs. Modern Looks
The dimensions of your decking boards don’t just affect the layout — they also influence the overall feel and style of your outdoor space. If you are aiming for a clean, modern aesthetic, narrow decking boards are the perfect fit. Their slim profile creates a sleek, linear pattern that adds a sense of precision and visual rhythm, ideal for minimalist or contemporary garden designs.
On the other hand, wide decking boards are often used to evoke a more traditional or rustic atmosphere. They offer a broader surface that enhances the natural wood grain and makes the deck feel warm, grounded, and inviting. This makes them an excellent choice for countryside homes, cottage-style gardens, or anywhere you want a more relaxed and timeless appearance.
- Use extra-narrow boards for a sleek, modern finish
- Choose wide boards to create a cosy, rustic or classic feel
Match Board Size to Space and Vision
Choosing the right decking board size isn’t just about measurements — it’s about creating a space that looks balanced, feels comfortable, and aligns with your personal style. Whether you’re working with a long, narrow layout or a wide, open design, the length and width of your boards can help you achieve the visual effects and functional results you’re after.
From widening a narrow deck with short cross-boards to crafting a contemporary vibe with slim, uniform planks, there are countless ways to tailor your deck using board size alone. Combine that with the right orientation, finish, and a professional decking installation team, and you’ll end up with an outdoor space that’s not only structurally sound — but a real showpiece.