Sometimes, you just have to deal with what you’ve got.
But at other times, you’ve got more freedom to craft and modify your space to suit your own needs and specifications.
And on those occasions, you’ll usually be more successful at realizing your grand vision if, well, you actually have one.
To help you craft that vision, we’re putting together this entry-level breakdown of a few of our favorite covered deck designs to bring out the best in your home and yard.
If you’ve chosen to buy a deck (or build one), it’s a safe bet that you intend to spend a considerable amount of time on it.
So, it can’t be personalized enough.
First, Choose a Concept
If you’ve already explored our website a little, you may remember that we published another article recently about covered deck ideas to inspire you.
That article is one that you should have open in another tab as you read this one.
You can also read it first and come back to this one.
This is because you’ll want to start your process by selecting one of those concept ideas and then designing around it.
If you decide to go with the shade sail concept, it won’t make much sense for us to recommend a specific type of window because there’s no place for windows in that concept.
Likewise, talking about different sail designs won’t make much sense if you’re going with a sunroom concept that’s already an enclosed space with a ceiling.
So, choose your idea/concept first and then proceed with the process of designing it, applying your preferred concept to it.
1. Wraparound
We’re opening up with what we believe to be one of the most highly underrated covered deck designs: the wraparound deck (wrap-around).
Most iconically seen in Victorian and century homes, they are unbeaten in their ability to create a complete indoor/outdoor hybrid space that can be enjoyed and relaxed in all day, during almost any season.
The concept is simple enough: the deck wraps around at least one corner of your house instead of jutting straight out from only a single wall.
In the best cases, your deck will wrap around your entire home in a style that was once classic and commonplace but that we unfortunately don’t see often these days.
Considerations
The only real downside of the usual execution of wrap-around covered deck designs is that “during almost any season” thing we mentioned in the last paragraph.
To be sure, you can absolutely do that; it’s just that most people don’t.
So, if you’re like most people in that sense, you’ll want to ensure that you also incorporate a fire pit, tiki torches, heat lamps, or some other kind of heating element into your plan.
And since this kind of deck will use more material, you may also want to invest in higher-quality wood so that you don’t need to repair and replace parts as often.
If you take care of what you have, you won’t need as much.
One good pair of handmade leather boots will last years longer than a counterfeit pair of sneakers made in a sweatshop overseas.
Decks work that way, too (and so does everything else).
2. Detached
Now, we’re moving to the exact opposite side of the spectrum.
Where a wraparound deck hugs the exterior of your home, a detached deck is, as the name implies, entirely separate from your home and not physically touching it.
If you’ve got a bit of land, why not make every part of that land easily accessible to you?
Even if you have a standard-sized lot, a detached deck in the center or corner of your yard can be a great addition that makes your whole property look that much more elegant and put-together.
Considerations
Perhaps even more than a wraparound deck, what a detached deck gives you is the flexibility to be creative.
You can do pretty much anything with it.
As long as the law allows it, you can do it.
Want a gazebo surrounded by potted plants and grapevines across a small arched bridge over a water feature?
That’s totally doable (and would look very nice).
Perhaps you’d prefer something more eccentric, like a slightly elevated platform topped with a sun sail or Mongolian ger (yurt) to use as your space for meditation, incense burning, yoga, and playing the jaw harp.
Or maybe you’ve seen a bunch of social media posts from people who visited Bali, and now you want a traditional Balinese roof, accompanied by floor tables and pillows rather than the taller Western-style chairs and tables.
All these things and more can be easily accomplished by starting with the most basic yet versatile of all the covered deck designs.
3. Attached With a Pergola Cover
Not ready to commit to a full wraparound or a fully detached structure? There’s a middle path: an attached deck topped with a pergola.
Unlike a solid roof, a pergola gives you filtered shade instead of full shade—open enough that you’re not sealing off natural light, but structured enough to break up direct sun and rain.
We build these three ways for Charlotte homeowners: traditional cedar (the classic look, ages beautifully with the right sealant), pressure-treated (more budget-friendly, still solid), and motorized aluminum louvered covers (the most flexible option—open the slats on a nice afternoon, close them when a Carolina thunderstorm rolls through).
Considerations
Because a pergola is attached to your house, it needs to meet the same flashing and structural standards as the deck itself—this isn’t a weekend DIY project if you want it to actually hold up.
If you’re leaning toward the motorized option, budget for it up front: it’s the priciest of the three, but it’s also the only one that gives you real control over sun, shade, and rain on demand.
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See how A Deck Above brings your deck, patio, or pergola vision to life.
No Wrong Answers
We covered wraparound, detached, and pergola-covered decks because between the three of them, you’ve got the full range: hugging multiple parts of your house, standing completely separate from it, or sitting somewhere in between with adjustable shade overhead.
Best of all, both of them are flexible and customizable enough to work with any of the covered deck ideas we went over in our previous article (linked at the beginning of this one).
Gazebos, pergolas, grill stations, and all the rest will work just as well with both.
The main factors to base your decision on are how much land you have and whether or not you want your deck to be an independent structure that is separate from your house.
Get a Free Estimate From A Deck Above
We’ve been building decks, pergolas, and outdoor living spaces across the Charlotte area for over 30 years, in neighborhoods from Dilworth and Plaza Midwood to Waxhaw, Fort Mill, and Huntersville.
Every project starts with a free, no-pressure consultation where we walk your property, talk through which of these covered deck concepts actually fits your home, and give you an honest assessment of what’s possible within your budget.
Contact us here to request your free estimate, or explore more ideas in our project gallery.
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