What Are the Average Deck Sizes and Dimensions?

A deck can be a great addition to your home whether you want to use it for cooking out, lounging, or any other purpose. Knowing the average deck sizes and dimensions can help you determine the right size for your needs.

On average, decks are between 144 and 300 square feet but often start smaller. A deck should be proportionate to the size of the house. Typically, it should not be bigger than the largest room in the house or more than 20% of the home’s square footage.

In this article, you will learn about the most common deck sizes and the most popular dimensions. You will also discover the average deck sizes for certain uses and how to determine the deck size for you and your home.

What are Average Deck Sizes and Dimensions?

The average deck size lies between 144 and 300 square feet, but for some homeowners, that is too small and for others, it is too big. Not only that, but a deck should fit the size of the home and the yard around it. A too large deck for the home will make the house look small.

Conversely, a deck too small will not look right or extend long enough along the side of the home. Because of this, it is hard to determine specific average sizes even before taking the size and shape of the yard into consideration.

In general, a deck should be wider than it is deep and have a longer edge running alongside the home, not extending away from it. This makes it look proportionate to the home, even if the deck is quite large. A rule of thumb is that a deck should never be larger than the biggest room in the home, which is usually the living room or master bedroom. While this is not a steadfast rule, it is certainly one to consider. Another rule that often coincides with this rule is that the deck should not be bigger than 20% of the home.

Due to these types of rules, the average deck size is likely to coincide with the average home size in the area. In a region with lots of large, expensive houses, the decks will probably be much larger, possibly even 500 square feet or more. The same is true about areas with small homes.

The size of a deck will also provide the feel of the area. Smaller decks tend to feel cozier and more intimate and are great for relaxing as a couple or with a couple of people. Larger decks can fit a lot of stuff and certainly have their uses, but they sometimes feel like they are trying to be too much and take up too much of the yard.

Most Popular Deck Dimensions

The most popular dimensions for decks range greatly depending on size but are most commonly done with even numbers of up to around 60% longer on one side so that they remain proportional and useful for various purposes.

Smaller options are fairly popular for use as a special area that doesn’t require much movement. 12×12 is the most popular of the small options because it is large enough for certain uses as long as there aren’t too many people. This small size is most suited for apartments, condos, and urban homes.

For larger tables and more seating, you will want to increase to the next popular sizes of 16×12, 16×16, and 20×12. While still modest, they offer much more room for lounging and can fit two small tables or a table and a grill as long as you organize it properly.

Large deck sizes within the average range include popular sizes like 20×16 and 20×20. These are the largest that are still considered average size landing at 320 square feet and 400 square feet. These are very popular options and are possibly the closest to the average deck size possible.

Standard Deck Size

There is no “standard” deck size since the size of a deck should remain proportionate to the house and useful for the purposes the homeowner wants it to serve. Still, the most popular average sizes for smaller decks or homes land somewhere between 144 and 240 square feet, and the larger options in the average range are between 300 and 400 square feet.

If you are looking for a truly standard size, then you should follow the guidelines for keeping it the right size for your house. Typically, that means that it should be no more than 20% of your square footage, yet as big as you need for the reasons you want a deck in the first place.

For example, a 2000 sq. ft. home should not have a deck larger than 400 square feet. Depending on the shape and style of the house, it may also look better if it is significantly smaller than that, like 300 square feet, but that is often up to preference more than anything else. If the house is larger than that, say 3000 sq. ft., a deck can be 600 square feet.

What is a Good Deck Size for Entertaining?

Entertaining can mean many different things, from small get-togethers to large parties, so instead of promoting a specific size, it is better to allow you to determine the area you need yourself. There are other considerations in addition to the size of the deck as well.

The first thing you need to examine is the number of people that you will be entertaining, including you and anyone else in the household. Obviously, 50 people on a 100 square foot deck will be a problem and probably even a safety issue, while 10 people on a 500 square foot deck are not preferred either.

It is best to determine the number of people you will commonly be entertaining and the maximum number so that you can get one that works best. For each person, it is good to have 20 square feet of deck. Therefore, if you will be entertaining 10 people, including yourself, you need a 200 sq. ft. deck. This is not counting any extra area required for furniture, appliances, and other accessories and decorations.

You need to consider areas taken by paths, walking room, connections and plugs, and other aspects that many homeowners forget to account for. You want to measure the area that any appliance or accessory will take up, along with the people surrounding it. For example, a grill will take up a small amount of space, but you also need to have room around it to move and cook properly.

Keep in mind that if you are entertaining people inside your home or in your yard while also accommodating people on the deck, you are unlikely to need the space for everyone at once, or at least not for long.

The shape of a deck can also constrict some areas or allow elbow room in others. A shape can maximize the space in special areas and intimacy in social locations. If you have enough space, you may want to consider something other than a rectangular or square deck shape.

Smallest Deck Size

While there are surely smaller decks, the smallest deck size that is fairly popular is 8×8 or 64 square feet. That is very small and is usually made to serve a single purpose like one person grilling or two people sitting in chairs. It is also quite small compared to most homes, so it will generally be found in urban areas, apartments, and other small homes.

Sometimes these small types of decks are combined to form larger decks or multiple areas on the house. For example, you may have two 8×8 decks with a space in between that offers an activity or path. Keep in mind that this can constrict some of the uses you would have if you had a single larger deck.

Is a 10×10 Deck Big Enough?

A 10×10 deck is 100 square feet and it is impossible to say whether that will be big enough or too small for you. It is probably not large enough for entertaining because you generally want around 20 sq. ft. per person. However, it may be plenty of room for just sitting and relaxing outside with one or two other people. A 10×10 deck is also large enough for using a grill as long as there aren’t many other people around.

Deck Size for Table and Chairs

Like most things, it depends because there are many different sizes for tables (chairs are typically pretty close in size). A small, round dining table for four can usually fit well on a 12×12 deck, but much larger than that will be a struggle to comfortably fit or feel cramped.

Typically, you will want to use the measurements of the table plus 72 inches on each side to determine how much space you will need. For example, a rectangular table that is 72 inches by 42 inches would require a space of 144” x 114” of space on the deck. Then, just add in the other areas you plan on having, if any.

Deck Sizes and Prices

Deciding to build a deck and what size to choose often depends on budget and costs, but many homeowners find that it is very worth it. A small basic deck under 150 square feet may only cost a couple of thousand dollars, but they will cost around $6 to $8 thousand on average.

A large portion of this is labor, however, and doing it yourself can save you a significant sum of money. Still, materials for a deck must be high-quality to support weight, look nice, and last longer, so it is never a good idea to use cheaper wood to save a little money on the project.

While the size of a deck is an essential component of the price, it is not the only component. Not only that, but increasing the size of a deck does not necessarily alter the price exponentially, and doubling the size of a deck will not make it cost twice as much.

For framing and materials, the cost will be proportional to the size of the deck, but for labor, that is not the case. This is because longer joists can be used and the work is similar, just on a larger scale. Depending on the shape, it may not even have double the materials, especially for railing and other specific components. This is also true of the dimension away from the house because wider joints and no extra foundational work may be appropriate.

In addition to size, one of the other factors that can influence the price of a deck is the style and decor of the deck. Elegant designs, curved railings, exotic materials, certain finishes, and other elaborate design elements can substantially increase the cost. Another factor is the yard itself because sometimes it is harder to work on a deck if the ground is moist or there are trees to navigate around. The same goes for any other issues that can make it more labor-intensive.

Is a 16×16 Deck a Good Size?

A 16×16 deck is a good size for many people and is generally in medium size. While many people prefer larger areas, this is enough for small gatherings at 256 square feet. It is also an ample room for relaxation, intimate dinners, lounging, and spending time outside.

While the square footage is plenty of room for many people, you may find that the space in one direction or the other may not be as much as you would like. This is why 20×16 decks are popular because it provides additional room for specialized areas, socializing, and movement.

That being said, for a 1500 sq. ft. home, a 16 x16 deck is just about right as long as the square shape fits with the shape of the yard and home. It is also enough room for a decent-sized table and some room to stand and talk with others.

What to Consider When Deciding on Deck Size

While there are average-sized decks, you should never base your deck size decision on those size ranges. This is because there are a lot of unique factors to keep in mind for your personal preferences, location, size of your home, and more.

Use/Purpose

The way you want to use the deck is the first thing you need to consider when determining what size you should get. If you want to sit in chairs without a table or any significant movement, then a small deck of 150 sq. ft. or less is probably sufficient, but if you plan on entertaining others, grilling, keeping decorations, or doing any other activities, then you need to keep those things in mind.

As stated earlier in the article, you should have 20 sq. ft. for every person out on the deck if you plan on entertaining. In addition, add in the area you will need for all accessories, tables, decorations, plants, or anything else that takes up deck space.

Location

The size of your yard, as well as the shape of the deck itself, will have a huge impact on the size you should get. If you don’t have much room for unique sizes, then you will want to look at how much lawn space the deck will consume. Not only that, but the location of the deck to the home and different entrances, plus points, fences, and anything else, needs to be considered. Remember that the deck will be higher than your yard, which can cause a privacy concern for some people.

The location is also related to weather and vegetation. Overhanging trees can be gorgeous, but they can also shed leaves, seeds, and bird poop onto the deck. Wind exposure, rain, snow, and other weather events, and the amount of shade or lack thereof, should also be factors that help you decide the shape and, therefore, the size.

Accessories

Most people with a deck don’t want one that is empty because then you can’t sit, cook, or do much else. You will want to remember to account for all furniture, umbrellas, grill supplies, railings, decorations, and entryways before deciding on a size for your deck. Also, do not forget to keep chairs in mind if you will have a table (for chairs, you want to add 36 inches for each side of the table they are on).

Home Size

As mentioned earlier, a deck should always remain in proportion to the home itself. While in the end, it is up to you, in general, you do not want the deck having more than 20 percent of the square footage of the home or to be any larger than the biggest room in the house. However, keep in mind that this is only a general guideline and wrap-around decks or those with unique shapes may sometimes be okay when larger than that rule of thumb.

The same goes for smaller decks because one that is minuscule in relation to the home will appear odd and not offer much in terms of use. If 20% of the square footage of your home is smaller than you need for your uses, then you can also consider building a multi-story deck.

Budget

You shouldn’t get a deck that you can’t afford. Choosing a specific budget for the project can help to narrow your options. This can also help you decide on the material you want to use, design elements and elaborate choices, and anything else that can impact the price.

The budget can help you determine whether you want a large, medium, or small deck or whether you want to DIY the project or hire a contractor. A contractor can offer you benefits like professional experience and bulk pricing on materials. Doing it yourself can help you control the project, spread out the cost onto materials instead of labor, and save money overall.

Building Codes

Finally, you never want to forget to check on permits, building codes, and other legal requirements, as well as potential HOA rules. This research can help to save you time and money or the potential of removing the deck or getting a ticket. In many cases, your locality will have to approve your blueprints and the size of the deck before you can begin.

Does a Deck Increase Home Value?

In almost all cases, a deck increases the value of a home and may do so by $10,000 or more! Therefore, building a deck may increase the value of your home more than it cost to build it in the first place. This is because many people, not surprisingly, want a deck and would have to build it otherwise.

Keep in mind that this is only the case if you will be able to sell it, which means that it has to be desirable, leave the yard space that someone would also want, and offer the area that will be useful. Still, this can be a great benefit, especially if you plan on selling y our home at some point in the next 5 to 10 years and are on the fence about getting a deck for that amount of time.

Conclusion

Average deck sizes have a large range, but the most common sizes are between 144 and 300 square feet. Either way, the size of a deck should match the size of a home and match your personal budget, purpose, location, and more.