Some of the best plants for September are the Korean chrysanthemum, golden grass, nerine, Michaelmas daisy and the red hot poker.

The chrysanthemum is a half-hardy herbaceous perennial, which is best in beds or large containers (perfect near benches or sitting areas). The nerine takes at least a year to become full, but once it matures, it will be a hardy plant. Many autumn-flowering asters become victims of mildew, but the Michaelmas daisy is immune to this. However, these daisies require a sunny and well-drained spot. The red hot poker has slender stems with a creamy yellow top, and it’s foliage looks similar to grass. This flower is best in the front of a bed or border where there is sun or semi-shade.

If you choose to build two octagonal foundations, connect them together with small walkways. The smaller foundation can contain a bar, grill and refrigerator while the larger one can serve as an outdoor dining area. The octagonal platforms can be embellished with benches with built-in planter boxes. The landscaping around the deck can be simple too. Add some large rocks to the entrances of the platforms and plant colorful flowers or shrubs along the edges.

You might also want to consider adding cabinets or counters to make it easier for cooking and storing utensils and other necessities. If you’re planning on having an outdoor refrigerator, hire an electrician to run an underground cable or install a new circuit.

• An above ground pool deck is a summer essential so you can thoroughly enjoy your backyard retreat. It also makes your backyard safer, because you can easily enter and exit the pool and not have to worry about swimmers falling out.
• A wood deck is a traditional and classic option, and you can paint or stain it whatever you like.
• A composite deck is made from innovative material (half wood, half polymer). It’s durable with the look of wood, but it doesn’t splinter.
• If you have an urban townhouse or apartment, you might need a roof deck. Just make sure to have a secure railing on it to prevent falls.
• Vinyl decks are an affordable option, and you never need to paint or stain them. They come in many colors and are splinter free too.

If your deck is already the color you want it, choose a transparent stain. This type of stain will protect the deck from weathering, but it won’t change the color of the wood or detract from the wood’s grain. On the other hand, if you want to punch up the color a little bit, choose a semi-transparent stain, which has a noticeable color pigment. The semi-transparent stain will actually enhance the wood.

Semi-solid stains come pretty close to hiding the wood’s grain. This type is perfect for decks that need significant retouching. Even if the old stain is present, a semi-solid will seamlessly cover it up and rejuvenate your deck.

The half-circle umbrella is perfect for smaller patios, desk and even balconies where you have a limited area to work with. There is a half table and chairs set to go with the umbrella, but it can serve as a stand-alone awning. You can setup the umbrella and keep a chair and side table under it.

Other features include an aluminum hand-crank pole with a weather-resistant sunbrella cover. In addition, it has a cast iron base, which can prevent the umbrella from blowing away. Also, it easily separates into two parts, so you can store it away.The umbrella’s dimensions are 8′ high x 9′ wide x 4.5′ deep, and it weighs 12 pounds. The base measures 4” high x 19” wide x 14” deep.

If you live in a farm home or enjoy country elements, a wire mesh and wooden framed railing with white columns can mimic this theme. Pipe railing is inexpensive and can be painted any color, and it can give a seaside deck a nautical feel. For more contemporary homes, a railing of tightly spaced horizontal steel cables might reflect the house’s design better.

Another option is to use a transparent balustrade such as aircraft cable. This particular cable can be found at specialty hardware and stair and railing stores. Attaching the aircraft cable horizontally between steel up-rights and a wooden top rail creates a simple and functional design.

With double-wide sliding patio doors, only one door can open at a time. Pivoting doors rotate a full 90 degrees from the center, so this is a unique option. French doors can either open into a room or swing out onto another room. With swinging French doors, you need to account for the space taken up when the doors open. However, if you don’t want to worry about this, you can opt for the sliding French doors.

Marvin Windows and Doors has the Ultimate Sliding French Door, which is a space-saving version of the in-swinging French doors. Marvin’s design is ergonomic with mulit-point lock and the choice between a raised or flat panel.

Patio stones with earthy colors such as brown and orange can provide a warming foundation for a Spanish-style balcony patio. Depending on your taste, the stones can be arranged in any of the following patterns: random with cut pavers, random with irregular pavers, regular rows with cut pavers of equal size or regular rows with cut pavers in varying sizes.

Glass doors can enable you to appreciate the patio even when you’re indoors, and wrought iron detailing can enhance them without taking away from the view. Also, a spiral staircase can create convenience, save space and add drama. Wrought Iron Doors can create custom door, stair railing and balcony railing to meet your needs.

The deck pictured below was designed and crafted by woodworker Ryan A. Baird, who uploaded his pictures to Taunton Press’s Fine Home Building Gallery. The images show that outdoor deck railings can be just as intricate and elegant as a custom-built staircase inside the house.

Made from mahogany, the mortise-and-tenon balisters and newel posts were custom turned, and accent carvings were added to the posts.

While all the handwork doubtlessly made this deck upgrade expensive, if you’ve got a million dollar view, then it makes sense to invest in a high quality deck that will last for a long time to come.

Privacy screens, for instance, can be integrated into your deck to protect you from peeping eyes (especially nice if you have a hot tub out back and sometimes “forget” to put a bathing suit on). In addition to keeping others from looking in upon you, a privacy screen can also keep you from having to look out at a less-than-appealing view (messy yards next door, water towers, etc.).

You can use anything from portable folding panels to espalier fruit trees to create a privacy screen, but sometimes permanent solutions that can be built right into the deck work the best.

If you’re in the brainstorming ideas process, you can check out the outdoor privacy screen pictures below:

Privacy is created here by using wooden lattices. The screening and the deck is the work of Absolute DreamScapes.

Somewhere between privacy panels and fence, these screens do a thorough job of blocking the view. From Canadian-based Decks, Etc.

For something a little different, try a privacy screen with a picture on it. Instead of looking at that water tower, gaze at a tropical beach or serene mountain landscape. These “oasis” privacy screens are from Balcony Vacations.