Designing a brand new deck can be an intimidating process for a beginner or even someone with previous building experience. Selecting the best deck design is ultimately up to who will be using it and what the purpose of the deck will be. Determining the primary use of your deck is an essential first step in the deck design process. Will you be using your backyard deck to entertain guests? Do you have pets or children? Do you plan on using your deck year-round? Once you determine the primary use of your deck you can move forward to the following tips to design your dream backyard deck.