Creative Ways to Use Composite Decking in Your Outdoor Design

Whether you’ve got a small patio, a sprawling garden or something in between, composite boards can help shape a space that’s as functional as it is attractive. We often speak with customers who start out looking to replace tired timber decking, but quickly realise how much more they can do with composite once they understand its potential.

From our own installations and experience with customers, we’ve seen composite decking used in all sorts of clever and practical ways. It’s a material that lends itself to both clean modern layouts and more rustic, nature-led designs and because it’s low maintenance and long-lasting, you’re not locked into the same constant upkeep that comes with traditional wood. If you’re planning to update your outdoor space, here are some creative ideas for using composite decking beyond the standard square platform.

Tiered Decking for Sloped Gardens

If your garden isn’t naturally level, don’t see it as a limitation, see it as an opportunity. Tiered decking can help you make the most of uneven ground, turning what might have been a landscaping headache into a standout design feature. We’ve helped customers create multi-level terraces with seating areas on one level and dining or play spaces on another, using composite boards throughout.

Composite works particularly well in these situations because of its structural stability and resistance to weathering. You won’t be sanding, sealing or staining year after year just to keep the boards looking decent and the colour stays consistent, even when exposed to direct sunlight or heavy rain.

Built-In Planters and Garden Features

One of the nicest ways we’ve seen composite decking used is to create integrated planters or raised beds. These can be built using the same composite boards for a seamless look, helping to tie the hard landscaping into the natural elements of the garden. Whether it’s for herbs near the kitchen door or ornamental grasses and shrubs, the effect is clean, cohesive and really elevates the space.

Because composite doesn’t rot or splinter, it’s safe to use near soil and plants and you won’t be battling with water damage or discolouration over time. It also holds its shape better than timber, which can twist or warp after a few seasons. We’ve included installation guides on our site that help customers design these kinds of features with minimal fuss.

Decking Borders and Pathways

You don’t always need a large deck to get value from composite boards. In smaller gardens or courtyards, composite is ideal for creating defined borders or low-maintenance pathways that cut through lawns or connect different zones. This works especially well with contrasting colours, for example, using darker boards as edging against lighter paving stones.

These simple design touches can give a much more professional finish to your garden, and because the boards are easy to cut and fit, it’s an approachable project for confident DIYers. For more intricate designs, such as curved borders or herringbone layouts, we always recommend sketching things out first and working out your board quantities to avoid waste.

Composite Decking as Outdoor Cladding

Here’s something a bit more unexpected: we’ve seen customers use composite decking boards vertically as exterior cladding on garden buildings or outdoor walls. It’s a striking look that adds a modern edge to garden rooms, sheds or even the back of the house. The boards are weather-resistant, colour-fast and easy to fix in place, making them a good alternative to timber cladding that needs frequent treatment.

This is also a great option for tying a garden structure into the design of your deck or patio, especially if you’re already using the same composite boards underfoot. The visual continuity helps smaller spaces feel larger and more cohesive.

Seating, Storage and Garden Furniture

One of the most practical and creative uses we’ve seen for composite decking is custom-built furniture. Benches, seating corners and even storage boxes can be built using leftover composite boards. These additions are especially useful for small gardens where space is limited and multifunctional furniture makes a big difference.

We’ve had customers send in photos of composite seating built into raised decks, complete with waterproof storage underneath for cushions and garden tools. Not only does it make use of offcuts and leftover materials, but it blends seamlessly into the deck design, no need to buy separate furniture that might not withstand the weather.

Around Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas

If you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub or splash pool in the garden, composite decking is one of the best choices you can make for the surrounding area. It’s naturally slip-resistant, doesn’t absorb water, and doesn’t suffer from splintering, which is particularly important when walking barefoot.

We’ve seen great results from customers who’ve built wraparound decking for their spas or plunge pools, adding steps, lighting and even privacy screens using the same composite boards. Because it requires very little maintenance, it’s a great way to create a luxury feel without turning your weekends into upkeep time.

Mixing Materials for a Unique Finish

Composite decking works beautifully with other materials, stone, gravel, tiles or even metal. We often suggest mixing elements in larger gardens to define different zones. For example, a composite dining deck paired with a gravel fire pit area can help break up the space visually, while still feeling part of a single cohesive design.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour, either. Many of the composite ranges we offer include both warm and cool tones, as well as woodgrain and brushed textures. We encourage customers to request samples and lay them out in natural light before making a final choice. It’s surprising how much the colour can change depending on the weather and time of day.

Let Your Outdoor Space Work Harder

At the end of the day, composite decking isn’t just about having a nice-looking patio. It’s about creating outdoor spaces that are genuinely enjoyable to use and that doesn’t come with constant maintenance. Whether you’re hosting summer barbeques, setting up a quiet morning coffee spot, or building a kid-friendly garden that doesn’t get muddy every time it rains, composite boards help make those goals easier to achieve.