How to Decorate Exposed Rafters Under a Deck

The exposed rafters underneath a deck are wooden horizontal and vertical support beams that keep the deck standing. You can decorate the beams in a way that plays up their rustic charm without affecting their utilitarian purpose. The space under the deck can then be used as an entertainment or lounge area.

1/3 cup trisodium phosphate
Bucket
Scrub brush
Electric sander
220-grit sandpaper
Painter's tape
Tinted spray polyurethane
Cup hooks, 2" wide
Lanterns

Instructions

- 1
  Combine 1/3 cup trisodium phosphate with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Dip a
  scrub brush in the mixture and scrub down the rafters. Allow them to air-dry.
- 2
  Run an electric sander, outfitted with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper, along the rafters. Continue until you've sanded the entire surface area. Wipe off the dust with a tack cloth.
- 3
  Apply painter's tape to any areas you don't want to coat with finish. Spray a light coat of tinted polyurethane over all the rafters. Allow the coat to dry overnight. Apply a second coat, allowing it to dry overnight.
- 4
  Screw in 2-inch-wide cup hooks from which to hang lanterns onto select rafters. These should be in areas where you won't hit your head on a dangling lantern.
- 5
  Place a decorative lantern on each hook.

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