Ground Level Decks on a Budget
Ground level decks are kind of the sweet spot when you’re dreaming of outdoor living without the price tag of a raised platform, stairs, or council paperwork.
It’s that “step out the back door and plonk down with a coffee” kind of feeling.
But yeah—timber, tools, and time all cost money, and it adds up fast if you’re not careful.
So let’s keep it real. Here’s how folks are building decks that don’t look or feel cheap—without spending thousands.
Use What You Can Get—Seriously
Start with what you’ve got or what you can score free or cheap. Check online marketplaces for leftover decking timber, pallets, or reclaimed wood.
A builder down the road might be tossing old joists. Landscapers sometimes offload pavers or gravel.
Even mismatched timber can be sanded, painted, or hidden under a rug.
One bloke in our neighbourhood built an entire deck with pallets and bricks. Doesn’t sound glamorous, but with a lick of paint and some plants, it actually looked solid.
Skip Concrete—Float It Instead
Floating decks are perfect when you want to skip digging holes and pouring concrete.
Use concrete pavers, breeze blocks, or even thick treated sleepers as your base.
Lay weed mat and gravel under it to stop rot and drainage issues. It’s way easier, and way cheaper.
No permits, no concrete truck, no drama. Just mark it out, level your pavers, and start building. Even if it’s not “forever,” it’ll last long enough to enjoy it for years.
Keep It Tiny (and Expand Later)
Big decks cost big dollars. But a small deck? Totally doable. Focus on a cozy little 2×2 or 3×3 metre zone you can actually finish.
That’s your chill spot for now. If you’ve got more materials later, you can always add to it.
It’s better to have one finished corner that feels good than half a deck you can’t afford to complete.
Treated Pine or Pallet Wood = Budget Gold
If you’re buying new timber, treated pine is usually the cheapest option. It’s not glamorous, but it does the job.
Stain it dark and it’ll look fancier than it cost.
If even that’s too much, pallets (heat-treated only) can be pulled apart and reused as decking boards or framing.
Make sure you space it out properly so water drains, and sand anything you’re going to walk on barefoot.
Splinters are free but not in a good way.
Finishing Touches for Next to Nothing
It doesn’t take much to dress up a budget deck. Old chairs? Slap on some outdoor paint. Leftover cushions? Throw ‘em on top.
String lights from the dollar shop? Instant mood. You can even use a drop cloth or secondhand rug to fake that boho look.
You don’t need a huge budget. You just need to make it feel intentional.
Final Thoughts
A good deck isn’t about how much you spent. It’s about whether you use it. Whether you sit out there at sunset with a book.
Whether the dog flops out next to you.
Whether you’ve got a place to sip your coffee in the morning and pretend you’ve got your life together, even if you absolutely don’t.
And if you built it yourself—on a shoestring—that feeling’s even better.
