Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, in the country or by the shore, a deck is a welcome place to bask in the sun. To create your dream deck, you must choose a deck color that complements your home’s exterior. Decking color options are more varied than ever, so deciding might be difficult.

Let your home and deck design lead you in selecting a deck paint or stain color. Modern homes can carry a dark paint color—even black—on the deck, while a coastal home might need a lighter color and a natural wood tone. Take a look at our best deck color ideas before settling on the perfect hue for your deck.

1. Grey

Once considered dull and uninspiring, grey has enjoyed a resurgence as a goes-with-everything neutral. Grey wood stains or deck paint add character to a wood deck.

Grey comes in a huge range of warm and cool shades, from pale stone to deep charcoal. Any of these hues work especially well on a white home with black trim, as grey serves as a bridge between these extremes.

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Grey is a calming neutral canvas behind pops of bright color. Composite decking is a durable, low-maintenance deck floor material that comes in a wide range of grey hues. Purchasing a Trex deck or other grey composite deck eliminates the need for paint or stain. While it’s a higher expense initially, not having to refinish the deck stain color every few years saves money over the long term.