2020 may have been the “year of the home,” but 2021 will be the “year of the yard,” according to the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). Its latest survey found that around 90 percent of American homeowners agree that creating a beautiful, functional outdoor living space is more valuable than ever before.

If you’re like survey respondents, upgrading to wood-alternative deck boards may be an answer to your colorful backyard dreams. Whether you’re drawn to warm, earthy tones or vibrant, tropical hues, today’s leading composite and PVC decking manufacturers have the edge when it comes to offering lasting style. Here are two of the latest deck colors and design trends that will take your outdoor living space to a new level.

Calming Earth-tone color palettes and enhanced wood-grain textures

Decking materials with rich colors and realistic wood-look surfaces are poised to be the hottest commodity when it comes to summer home improvement projects. “Warm, natural finishes have been shown to help reduce stress in a space, and with all the time people are spending at home, warm taupes, sands and earthy colors are helping homeowners feel safe and comforted,” reports Realtor.com in an article rounding up the “5 Color Trends That Will Dominate This Year, According to Top Designers.”

With nature-inspired color choices like Tiger Cove and Oasis Palm, our composite deck boards offer the warmth and beauty that wood provides but lacks the propensity to deteriorate from issues associated with water absorption. What’s more, we use a dual-embossing technique during the manufacturing process to reveal a more realistic wood grain pattern.

Vivid colors, tones, prints inspired by tropical and exotic destinations

Travel restrictions may be slowing easing, but homeowners remain seemingly focused on creating functional and beautiful homes that bring them happiness even amid the shifting landscape. To do this, many are designing with materials, colors and furnishings that evoke memories of their travel experiences, reports Forbes.com in an article that speaks to “Travel-Inspired Interior Design: On Bringing the Joys of Travel Homes.”

Take our exotic hardwood-inspired PVC deck boards. With vivid hues like Brazilian Teak and Himalayan Cedar, your dreamy deck will almost resemble your favorite tropical resort destination (OK, we said almost). Travel-inspired design elements can extend far beyond deck colors in our book. Consider weaving in wicker and rattan deck furniture to channel a coastal vibe, or an eclectic assortment of caramel and terracotta-colored throw pillows for an American Southwest aesthetic.

All of this said, composite and PVC offerings aren’t just beautiful underfoot – they’re built to last. Leading brands will back the performance of their wood-alternative offerings for 25 years or more, which means you can have a beautiful deck without sacrificing performance and weatherability.

To start dreaming up your outdoor living space, explore our deck and outdoor visualizer tool, FortressView™. It’s an intuitive design platform that lets you play with the latest deck boards, decking colors, railing systems and lighting accessories in a 3D setting. We’d say your summer is looking up.