DIY ideas for using leftover composite decking

Adding a deck to your garden can turn the outdoor space into the go-to spot for summer gatherings. But with composite decking often coming at a higher cost than timber, you’ll likely want to make the most of your purchase by repurposing leftover materials. Because composite decking boards come in set sizes, usually you will have to cut them down to size. But leftover boards do not have to go to waste. Because wood-plastic composite is a durable, moisture-resistant material, it can be put to good use in other DIY projects, including smaller applications.

Here we’ve listed a number of ways to repurpose leftover composite decking products to help spark some ideas. But once those creative juices are flowing, the possibilities are endless.

A new surface for an old piece of furniture. Upcycling old garden furniture with a new, wood-plastic composite surface can give your piece a new lease on life. If you’ve got an old table lying around and in need of a bit of love, why not replace the surface with a durable, wood-plastic composite alternative? Just cut the boards down to size and secure them to the piece’s wooden frame. The resulting piece will go on to provide you with many years of use.

Display shelves. Probably the simplest option, turning composite decking boards into display shelves involves cutting the boards down to size and then installing them.

You have two options here, free-standing or wall-mounted shelves, depending on the amount of decking you have left over. If you’re new to DIY, shelves make for a relatively simple project and provide lots of extra storage space or an aesthetically pleasing way to display plants or even decorative pieces.

Rectangular flower planters. For plant lovers, particularly those who love growing flowers, extra planters can be a cheap and easy way to beautify an outdoor space. Purchasing new planters can set you back anywhere between £30 and £100. However, using just a few leftover boards and a plastic bag to line the planter, you can create a beautiful, rectangular box for your plants, while making the most of your composite decking. Even better – the matching deck and planters can lend a sense of cohesive design to your outdoor area.

A super durable garden bench. On the slightly more advanced end of the DIY spectrum, a bench could be a great way of using surplus composite decking. In fact, this is such a popular design element, that many people incorporate it into their decking project from the outset. However, if you missed the boat on forward planning, it is not that complicated to DIY a simple, cheap and cheerful bench using a few breeze blocks and a couple of decking boards. Just don’t forget to secure the pieces together and you can go on to enjoy your new seat for years to come.

A cost-effective feature wall. One way to use leftover decking boards is to create a matching feature wall for your deck. While typically, you would use composite cladding to build or enhance an outside wall or barrier, it is also possible to do so using WPC decking boards. One thing to consider is that usually, such a project would be more material- and labour-intensive. Therefore, it is usually a good idea to plan out this addition before embarking on your diy project. However, if you’re happy to purchase a few extra boards along with the amount necessary for your deck, a feature wall can add a wonderful, resilient design element to your outdoor space. Placed in the right spot, the addition could serve to provide shade during summer and cover from the wind during the colder months of the year.

A cheap-and-cheerful garden bar. Again a relatively labour-intensive option, you can kill two birds with one stone by using WPC decking to construct a garden bar. A dream for homeowners across the country, constructing a bar from composite decking boards is often a relatively cheap option when compared to purchasing and installing one outright.

While crafting a full-sized bar from scratch might require a few more boards than you would typically have left over, there are other, simpler ways to make the concept work.

Using just a few WPC short planks, add a couple of hinges, a latch and a small length of chain for either side. Mount the contraption to the outside wall of your choosing et voila – a fold-out bar to wow your guests. Now all you need to do is master the art of cocktail-making and you can rival your local down the road.

Keep in mind, these are just a few ideas to spark your creativity. When it comes to a versatile material like wood-plastic composite, the options are many and varied. So if you’ve recently completed a DIY project, don’t put away the toolbox just yet. Roll up your sleeves and make the most of your garden with simple, beautiful features to complement your new deck.