Pinterest Might Be The Answer To Finding Free DIY Deck Plans For Your Backyard

Are you looking for the DIY deck plans of your dreams? Pinterest might have just what you need. Our favorite mood board app is notorious for DIY inspo, so it's no surprise that it can help you find the best DIY deck plan for your backyard. Needing some visual inspiration? There are so many free DIY deck plans on Pinterest to choose from — but where do you start? It's best to think about the style of decking you're looking for and the reality of your DIY skills — there are no points for taking on more than you can handle, okay?

While decking options are abundant, we'd like to think that if we're DIYing it, the simpler, the better. Yes, a deck plan with three tiers and a built-in pergola may look incredible, but if you can't pull it off, it doesn't matter if the plan is free — the reality is that building your deck from scratch will cost you a lot more than going simple or hiring a professional.

When it comes to finding free (but great) DIY deck plans on the internet, Pinterest certainly has a fair few to browse. One company, in particular, comes up frequently: Decks. Offering a wide variety of free deck plans on Pinterest and its website directly, Decks has literally hundreds of DIY deck plans to choose from. All you need to do is sign up to gain full access to them — and here, we've handpicked a few of our top choices.

The top choice (also on Decks' website) is Plan 1LA1010, which appears to be one of the most straightforward deck designs around. It features a 10" x 10" decking that extends out from your doors and has a small set of stairs on the left-hand side. Keen to branch out a little more? Check out Plan 1LD210, which comes in various sizes and has a flat decking that leads onto a cascading staircase. Fancy yourself a bit of a DIY pro? Go for Plan 2LM2614P10, complete with a built-in pergola and open-plan deck space and ideal for summer barbeques out on deck. It's worth noting that all of Decks' plans come with an estimated material cost, building details guide, and even a 3D rendering cover sheet, among many other helpful extras — a fantastic starting point for your dream DIY deck.

Now, you may be wondering, "What could possibly go wrong with using a free deck plan found on Pinterest when the available options sound so good?" Truth be told, a fair bit. While there is no disputing the plans we've found (among the thousands available online) appear to come with a lot of guidance to complete your DIY decking project without mistakes, the reality could be quite different.

Yes, the pros are clear — if you're well-versed in DIY and opt for a more straightforward design, the whole plan is free and could save you money in the long run. However, if you don't know what you're doing, purchase a lot of material, and don't have a step-by-step guide on how to build it, you could end up spending a lot more money trying to fix what you've yet to get started.

It's no secret that building a deck from scratch is a hefty investment, especially when considering the labor and material costs involved. The prices of materials can fluctuate frequently, and as a result, can be hard to budget for. Since it's no small feat to build your own deck, it may be worth hiring a professional if you feel you've bitten off more than you can chew. Ultimately, whichever DIY plans you go for, be sure to read up on the materials, labor, maintenance, and how much it costs to build a deck before fully committing to the project.