Summer in Australia is made for long afternoons, hanging out by the barbeque, backyard cricket and long evenings outdoors. Your deck should be more than a surface, but the heart of your outdoor entertaining space. With Trex composite decking, you can create an outdoor space that’s stylish, comfortable and built to handle whatever an Aussie summer throws at it.
Here’s how to make yours the ultimate destination this summer:
Design for the Aussie Way of Living
A great entertaining area is all about flow, creating a space that feels relaxed and connected. When planning your outdoor space, think about how you can use it day to night or weekday to weekend. By creating distinct zones – like dining areas for long lunches, a lounge for sunset drinks or a quiet corner for morning coffee – you keep the layout open so there’s plenty of flow between indoors, the deck and the garden.
Drawing on three decades of styling experience, Megan Morton reveals her go-to tricks for effortless, clutter-free outdoor hosting.
“I’ve learned so much in my 30 years of styling tables and interiors. I like to really squeeze the seating in, mixing in stools and chairs because we’re not at a restaurant people – we’re at love-in! Cozy, tight and connected. This means using a smaller table for your guests and then a separate table to serve all the food. I hate all of the hand wrangling over food on the table and separating it creates a much more congenial atmosphere.
I love to make my own arrangements with cake stands plates and bowls into little tiered assortments perfect for aperitivo, appetisers and desserts.
For me, there’s nothing worse than deliciously icy drinks getting hot in the sun. I like to set up a dedicated drinks table under an umbrella and put it near the person I know will be the most dutiful and motivated sommelier! When you have the food, the drinks, and the people at three separate stations it makes for such an easier cleanup – reducing spills and table clutter.”
Keep it Cool and Comfortable
The Aussie sun can be strong, but that doesn’t mean you need to retreat indoors. The key is designing with shade, airflow and comfort in mind. Add shade solutions like pergolas, umbrellas, or climbing vines to soften sunlight and create a welcoming retreat. When it comes to decking boards, lighter tones like (Trex Transend Lineage Island Mist or Carmel) are great choices that naturally stay cooler. You can also look for decking boards that include heat-mitigation technology, like Trex’s new Select boards featuring SunComfortable™ Technology.
Choose Colours That Feel Like Summer
This season’s look is natural and relaxed, like coastal neutrals, warm and timeless finishes that complement the landscape. Use warm hues (like Trex Transcend Spiced Rum or Tiki Torch) for that rich timber look paired with pops of colour in cushions or plants to bring life into the space. Layer textures such as rattan, linen, and woven rugs to create a relaxed yet polished feel that brings your outdoor style to life.
Make It an Entertainer’s Dream
A true Aussie deck is built for hosting, think barbecues, cold drinks, and the smell of summer in the air. Design a dedicated cooking zone with space for your barbeque and incorporate deck lighting to keep the good times going after sunset. Trex boards are stain-resistant and easy to clean, so whatever the spill your deck will handle it.
To elevate your summer table styling, Megan Morton shares why this year she’s embracing a more relaxed, beautifully practical approach to setting up outdoors.
“Who doesn’t love the outside lunch spread? In the past I’ve opted for inside because it just got too hard to keep everything really clean. But this Summer I’m super excited about laying down carpets and rugs, and setting up my table outside with a whole bunch of guest-specific umbrellas. Because my Trex deck is easy to clean, I can focus on styling instead of worrying about mess.”
No Shoes, No Worries
Step straight off the sand and onto your Trex deck – smooth and splinter free. Simply hose off the salt and sand and relax, knowing it won’t warp, crack or fade, not matter how many beach days you bring home.
With clever styling and a comfortable, low-maintenance deck as the backdrop, it’s easy to turn your outdoor area into a space that feels effortless all summer long.
*Although Trex decking products with heat-mitigating technology are designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar color, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. On hotsuch days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs
Styling commentary supplied by Megan Morton
