There’s nothing like a waterfront setting when spending time with family and friends. EZ Docks are endlessly customizable, giving you plenty of opportunities to transform the space into the entertainment hub of your dreams.
Whether you plan to revamp your dock or build a new structure, you can explore dozens of customization options to bring your vision to life. With so many possibilities, figuring out where to start can be a challenge. Here are five ways you can customize your dock to make it an ideal space for entertaining guests.
1. Improve Accessibility
If you’re using your dock for entertainment, it’s important to ensure the space is accessible for everyone. Making your dock more accessible can help your guests feel comfortable and safe. Plus, improved access to the water goes hand in hand with convenience.
As you customize your dock, here are a few accessories you can include to ensure accessibility:
- Ladders: Whether you’re on a watercraft or swimming, a ladder provides a simple and stable way to get in and out of the water.
- Personal watercraft launches: Accessible launches for kayaks, canoes and other PWCs allow guests of all ages and abilities to get into the water without much hassle.
- Ramps: Consider adding a ramp to your dock to accommodate guests who use mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters or walkers. A ramp offers a safe, steady way for your loved ones to enter or exit the dock.
2. Optimize Space
A spacious, sturdy dock that can comfortably accommodate all your guests is essential to entertainment. With a larger dock, you can explore different layouts to optimize the space based on how you plan to spend time there.
Consider arranging your dock in several designated sections for enjoying meals or playing games while leaving enough room to move freely. You can also use seating, such as plastic lawn chairs or built-in benches, to create sections to accommodate various activities, including fishing, reading or sharing conversation.
3. Illuminate the Dock
Extend your gatherings past sunset by keeping your dock well-lit. Incorporating lighting into your space can significantly enhance the appeal and create a warm atmosphere for evening and late-night socialization.
Aside from providing illumination, lights can add a decorative touch to your entertainment space. Choosing lights that suit your overall vision and style is key as you revamp your dock. Some of the most popular types of lighting for decks include:
- Solar lights: Line your dock with solar lights for a creative addition to your entertainment space. These lights are solar-powered and don’t require electricity, making them a practical and cost-effective choice.
- Underwater lights: As the name suggests, underwater lights illuminate the water beneath and surrounding the dock, providing an aesthetically pleasing glow.
- String lights: String lights are a more decorative lighting solution. You can incorporate them into your outdoor space in several different ways. For instance, you can drape string lights on fixtures or furniture and along the dock railing.
4. Add Shade
While basking in the sun can be fun, having shaded areas on your dock is a must when you plan to host guests and spend extended periods outdoors. Adding shade to your dock ensures guests have a spot to retreat and cool down when the sun gets too hot.
Consider using free-standing umbrellas or utilizing an umbrella bracket to cover seating areas as needed. Alternatively, you can set up shade sails or awnings as a more permanent sun protection solution. Retractable awnings are a great choice if you want more flexible shade coverage.
5. Use Space-Efficient Storage
As you customize and decorate your dock, you’ll find several opportunities to include storage in the design. You can add storage boxes, install under-deck storage or incorporate built-in storage compartments in the furniture you choose for the dock. Subtle, practical storage will help you keep life jackets, fishing gear, floats and other essentials on hand without taking away from your vision for the space.
6. Prioritize Safety
Implementing safety precautions and features into your dock design is crucial. Beyond lighting and easily accessible storage for life vests and floats, be sure to include a railing to prevent slips and falls.
7. Finish With Fun Add-Ons
Include some fun add-ons to ensure your space is ready to provide ultimate entertainment and memorable experiences. A few of your options include:
- Slides
- Boat or PWC ports
- Games
- Floatation devices
Transform Your Outdoor Space With EZ Docks
At EZ Docks, we have everything you need to create your dream dock for unforgettable entertainment experiences. From dock lighting to storage boxes, our team provides various custom solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today.