Ideas for a Yurt Deck

Canopy-Level Retreat

• If you're fortunate enough to have a quiet woodland spot where you can build your yurt, place it near the edge of a hillside. By building the deck on the side of the hill, standing on stilts, you'll place it at eye-level with the upper story of the forest. You'll feel truly immersed in nature when you can look around and see birds' nests and swaying branches all around. Plus, you might keep nature from wandering onto your porch unexpectedly. In "Yurts: Living in the Round," Becky Kemery suggests building a high deck for a yurt located in bear country, and the same strategy can make access to your deck more difficult for other animals such as raccoons. The yurt sits on stilts above the ground, and you can create a cozy. shaded sitting area beneath the deck if the ground is flat.

Wrap-around Deck

• A slightly raised deck that wraps around the whole yurt dramatically increases its living space. The design encourages you to use both indoor and outdoor space for everyday living. Make sure the deck is wide enough to allow for visiting, eating and lounging around. Add a railing on the outside so people can position their chairs against the edge without feeling like they'll fall off, so they can sit and chat. A round wrap-around deck complements the round shape of the yurt. However, the hexagon creates a stylish, rounded look without being as difficult to build, as it doesn't require a circular saw.

All Natural Deck

• Create a deck that blends in with its surroundings, like a patio, if you prefer. Place large rocks on either side of the entryway, with shrubs and flowers marking the transition from deck to yard. Bamboo and ornamental grasses also create a natural wall quickly. Create the deck from brick or stone set directly in the earth, which will require much less maintenance than wood while looking even more attractive on this style of deck.

Outdoor Kitchen

• If you want a place to cook, but don't have space to install a kitchen inside the yurt, consider creating a rustic outdoor kitchen. Your kitchen can be elaborate, with a stone oven and countertops, or simply include a cooking and eating space set off from the yurt so it doesn't create a fire hazard. If you choose the latter, create a circular space that balloons off from the yurt's entrance. Build wooden countertops along part of the edge, and add a wooden bench around the edge, leaving plenty of room for a table. You can create the same space using stone as well, with the addition of the oven.

Joining Pathway

• If you have more than one yurt, create a shared deck between them, with a walkway leading from each yurt. People can gather at the middle for summertime fun. Make sure to create a focal point at the center meeting spot, such as a picnic table placed in the middle of a round deck.