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Add some personality to your exteriors with these design-forward decking ideas. Outdoor Patio Builders

When it comes to working on a utilitarian space like a deck, there's no rule that says all attempts at design need to go out the window. Instead of opting for a builder-grade version of a deck that you could find in any home development, look to the architecture of your home—and its surroundings—to help inform the design of your deck. One of the easiest ways to personalize your elevated outdoor space? The railings! From intricately carved wood railings to modern metal and practically-invisible glass, panels, these design-forward ideas marry form and function into an outdoor space that will wow from every angle.

For a look that blended seamlessly with the turn-of-the-century exterior on this Maine escape, architect and designer Gil Schafer opted for simple horizontal deck railings in the same tone and finish as the main house. The end result is a timeless design that marries perfectly with the multi-level garden below.

Instead of relying on a hardware store-grade solution, use your deck railing as an opportunity to marry your exterior design to that of your surroundings. Here, a Southwestern-style abode gets an additional exterior upgrade with a terrace railing made entirely of stone, stacked in a graphic pattern.

In this California Spanish Colonial, designer Regan Baker and landscape architect Terremoto relied on sleek steel accents to blend the expansive interior with the deck and backyard outside. Sliding steel and glass doors practically disappear when open, while an equally dramatic metal deck railing carries the drama to the outdoors.

Sometimes something as simple as deck railing can actually be the design moment your space is craving. Case in point? This dreamy dinner spot, designed by Amanda Lindroth, which relies on a classic diamond trellis railing pattern (painted in Benjamin Moore's Southfield Green) to bring a touch of sophisticated Southern charm to the alfresco space.

For a decking design that whispers—not screams—alongside your home's exterior, choose materials and a profile that echo the same design features. On the deck of this Seatle home designed by Ore Studios, a metal and stainless steel cable railing system allow the surrounding wooded backdrop to sing.

For a look that channels all the charm of a classic Americana cabin, look no further than cedar wood. The durable material is a designer go-to thanks to it ability to hold up to any manner of elements—plus it feels right at home in a rustic setting, as seen here in this Hudson Valley home designed by owner Beverley Kerzner.

When the surrounding views are at a premium, you want to strategically choose decking details that don't detract from your million-dollar vista. This deck—designed by Arent & Pyke—practically disappears into the clouds thanks to seamless panels of clear as ice glass.

Just because you typically envision deck railings incorporating spindles or horizontal framing doesn't mean that's their only interpretation. Here, a wrap-around stone banquet doubles as a deck railing to the low-laying stone structure, providing a necessary perimeter and a place to perch.

Ray Booth's Provincetown property sits in the middle of a forest, so to say it's enchanting would be an understatement. "It didn't need to stand out—it needed to be a shadow," Booth says of the home, so he opted for a black exterior, which applies to the railings, too.

Natural Bamboo Flooring In this Plam Beach getaway designed by John Fondas, the lower, minimalist railing on the deck allows us to focus on the view of the intercoastal waterway beyond. It's painted a bright white paint to match the columns and also the color scheme of the adjacent room.