Designing a garden you love isn’t just about planting beds and a lawn. It’s about how you move, sit, eat and entertain outdoors. That’s where multi level deck ideas come in. By stacking spaces at different heights, you can zone your garden, work with slopes, and make every square metre earn its worth. Below you’ll find practical layouts, design tips, and safety notes to help you plan a multi level deck that looks good and works brilliantly all year round.
What is a Multi Level Deck?
A multi level deck is simply a deck split into two or more platforms at different heights, connected by steps or ramps. Think of it like open-plan living, but outside: one level for dining, another for lounging, a tucked-away corner for a hot tub, and a safe play spot for the kids. Multi level decks are brilliant for sloping gardens and holiday homes, where you want easy access and clear zones without a big retaining wall.
Why choose a Multi Level deck?
Before you jump into layouts, it helps to understand the benefits. A short list now will save you time later.
- Natural zoning: Separate dining, lounging and cooking without fences or screens.
- Better use of slopes: Staggered levels follow the land, so less digging and no awkward step-ups.
- Views and privacy: Lift a seating area for a better view, or drop a snug space out of the wind.
- Safer, tidier access: Short runs of steps with proper balustrades feel calm and secure.
- Easy maintenance with uPVC: Weather-resistant boards and balustrades keep their colour and clean up fast, ideal for busy homes and holiday lets.
Planning Your Multi Level Deck Ideas
Good planning makes the difference between a deck you love and one you tolerate. A little thinking now prevents headaches later.
Start by sketching your plot and main doors. Mark sun and shade, wind direction, and the routes you actually use. Keep the main path wide and straight where you can (90–120 cm is comfortable), and try to avoid sending people through the cooking zone to reach the garden. If you need steps, plan short flights with landings between levels. Ramps are handy for prams and mobility aids; keep them gentle and add handrails.
Lighting, skirting and gates might feel like “extras”, but they’re the details that make daily life easier. Build them into your plan from the start so cables, posts, and fixings are hidden and safe.
Multi Level Deck Ideas You Can Copy
There’s no one “right” layout. Pick the idea that suits your space, then tweak it to fit.
Split-Level Lounge and Dining
Use the upper level near the kitchen doors for a dining table (less distance with plates), then drop one step to a lower lounge with sofas and a fire pit. Add low-glare lighting at the step edge and along the balustrade so evenings feel cosy and safe.
Sun deck with Shaded Snug
Put a small raised platform where the sun lands for loungers, then step down under a pergola for shade and reading. Slatted screens help with privacy without blocking airflow.
Cook Zone Plus Viewing Platform
Keep the grill and prep space on a sturdy mid-level with easy water and power access. A half-flight of steps leads to a compact viewing deck with two chairs to catch sunsets. Glass or pale balustrades keep the outlook open.
Family Tier: Play, Eat, Relax
Top level: a clear, wipe-clean dining area. Middle: play space with a gate at the steps for peace of mind. Lower: grown-up lounge with warm decking lighting under the handrail. This keeps toys out of the eating zone and makes evenings feel tidy.
Hot Tub Recess with Privacy
Sink the hot tub slightly on a lower level to reduce visual bulk, then surround it with non-slip boards and a gate. Plant tall grasses or add frosted panels for discrete screening.
Garden-to-Door Cascade on a Slope
If your garden drops away from the house, use three short platforms with brief runs of steps. Each platform can hold a small function: a bistro set, a herb bench, and then a lawn-edge seat. It looks designed, not “stepped just because”.
Holiday-Home Wraparound
For static caravans and lodges, a wraparound multi level deck creates a wide, level entrance with a ramp, then steps down to a sun trap or BBQ pad. Add skirting to hide services and keep things tidy, and choose balustrades that match the home’s style.
Design Details that Make a Big Difference
A strong layout is half the job; the finish is the other half.
- Balustrades: Mix solid uPVC with glass panels to control wind without losing light.
- Gates: Fit at the top of steps where children or pets wander.
- Skirting: Hides the under-deck and stops leaves blowing in. Ventilate it to keep airflow healthy.
- Decking lighting: Warm, low-level LEDs on risers and rails guide the way without glare.
- Colour and texture: Two-tone borders help define edges and make step noses easy to see.
- Furniture scale: Small spaces love armless sofas, benches and fold-flat chairs. Keep walkways clear.
Materials: Why uPVC Suits Multi-Level Decks
Timber is classic, but uPVC boards shine for busy homes and holiday lets. They’re weather and stain resistant, need far less upkeep, and keep their colour without yearly sanding. Many systems are 100% recyclable and made in Great Britain, so you’re buying a durable, tidy solution that stands up to British rain, sun and the odd party spill.
Safety, Rules and Common-Sense Checks
Safety isn’t scary; it’s sensible. Fit secure handrails where there are drops. Use slip-resistant boards, especially near hot tubs and doors. Add lighting to steps and entrances. Planning rules can vary, especially for raised platforms and plots with past alterations, so check local guidance before you start. If in doubt, ask a professional designer or your local planning portal for clarity.
Cost Factors for a Multi Level Deck
Costs vary with size, number of levels, sub-structure, groundworks, balustrades, gates, lighting and access to site. Complex slopes and lots of curves add time. The best way to get a clear figure is a site survey and a detailed drawing, so you know exactly what’s included and what it’ll look like.
Step-by-Step: How to Plan Your Project
A simple order keeps things smooth and avoids rework.
- Measure and sketch your plot, doors and windows.
- Pick 2–3 functions (eat, lounge, soak, play) and assign them to levels.
- Map routes between house, deck and garden; plan steps/ramps and handrails.
- Choose finishes: board colour, balustrades, skirting, decking lighting.
- Sense-check safety and planning considerations.
- Get a design drawing so everyone can see the plan before you build.
Ready to Bring Your Multi Level Deck Ideas to Life?
Mayfield Decking has 30+ years of designing and installing bespoke, multi-level decks across the UK. From Hampton and Mayfield decking to balustrades, gates, skirting and decking lighting, we’ll help you plan a safe, good-looking space that fits your home or holiday lodge. Tell us about your garden and we’ll create a free, no-obligation design and quote. Contact us today.
FAQs About Multi Level Decks
What is the point of a multi level deck?
It zones your outdoor space so each activity has a home, improves flow on slopes, boosts views and makes a small garden feel bigger.
Do I need planning permission for a multi level deck?
It depends on height, coverage and previous changes to your property. Check local rules before you start and keep safety items like handrails in the design.
Can a multi level deck work in a small garden?
Yes. Even a simple two-level split between doors and lawn can add function and make the space look more interesting.
