Category Archives: Outdoor Design Ideas

We know that the weather has gotten a bit frightful over the past few days, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s time to close the deck for the season. Why not enjoy a hot cup of tea on your fall decorated deck? Your outdoor space can still be enjoyed as the seasons change, but only if you can infuse a little bit of creativity.

First, of course, start with a reliable source of outdoor heating. We’ve talked a lot about outdoor fireplaces and fire pits on this blog, but another solution is to buy an outdoor heater. They work exceptionally well!

Comfortable outdoor seating is still a must. Make sure you have plenty of chairs with comfortable cushions.

Don’t forget to incorporate the colors of fall into your deck. Orange, red, yellow and brown come together to create a beautiful and rustic scenery.

From string lights to lanterns to mason jars, outdoor lighting is crucial as daylight ends much earlier. Just be sure to keep lighting in a safe area away from children and pets.

Leave us a comment below to let us know how you have decorated your deck for the fall!

Image from Build Direct

A grand way to welcome your guests this season is with an entryway arbor! A custom arbor can be added to most pathways, door ways and other areas that lead guests right into your home.

• Arbors can easily be decorated with greenery, roses and even mistletoe to create a true holiday spirit.
• For a really charming arbor entry, a gate or fence may be added as well.
• A nicely decorate arbor is a unique way to decorate outdoor for neighbors to see.

Here are some examples of beautiful entryway arbors from Better Homes & Gardens :

Although arbors are available in boxed kits, it’s definitely worth it to invest in a custom built arbor just for your home. Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to discuss the possibilities of building an entryway arbor for your home today!

You might already have a deck or patio attached to your home. If you need a new addition to your home’s exterior, a shade arbor might be the perfect choice for you.

Unlike most decks and patios, shade arbors are covered and cozy spaces that are perfect for the fall season.

What can you use a shade arbor for?

• Simple fall outdoor dining
• Adding a touch of privacy from neighbors
• Add as an extra feature to your current deck or patio
• Use it as a display area for greenery, flowers and flower pots
• Create a comfy sitting or reading area with a bench or cushioned seating
• Makes a great nook to sit and relax while children and pets play in the yard

Pictured below are examples of our shade arbors:

There are so many ways to add personality to your outdoor space this fall. Outdoor Environments would love to start planning a shade arbor addition for your home. Visit our Facebook photo gallery to see more photos of shade arbors we have built.

One of the most creative ways to light up your outdoor space this fall is with fire. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, that is. As the weather begins to cool off, these warming outdoor features can provide a lot of benefits. Once its installed, you can enjoy it year-round! What other outdoor feature allows such flexibility?

Fireplaces and fire pits are great for…

• Creating a soothing and warming atmosphere outside
• Being the centerpiece in the midst of a beautiful autumn outdoor setting
• Patios, decks and other outdoor areas
• Quickly creating an outdoor gathering space for unexpected guests

Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are the perfect addition to homes all over Kansas City and Overland Park. To speak with Outdoor Environments about your outdoor fire options, contact us today!

Image from iVillage

Just because the summer is over doesn’t mean you have to shut down your outdoor living. Lighting is the key to extending the summer and keeping the party going throughout the cool fall season.

This lower level spa, bar and sitting nook is a perfect example of how lighting can set the mood outside.

This is exactly why landscape lighting is the key to adding value at home. In the past, outdoor lighting was seen merely as a safety feature. It helped (and still does help) to ward off intruders and avoid trips and falls. Now, in addition to safety, it’s all about creating a certain ambiance and atmosphere.

But adding a meaningful landscape lighting scheme to your home’s exterior takes a lot more than buying a lighting kit and sticking fixtures into the dirt that surrounds your home. Outdoor lighting should be an investment that takes careful planning. Some lighting effects can be added to trees, shrubs, gardens, fountains and pathways. There is also the option of layered lighting.

From outdoor chandeliers to wall sconces, there are many looks that can be created. Just like with interior design, exterior design needs a theme. Traditional, country, Tuscan and modern are all very possible styles to consider with outdoor lighting.

If your outdoor space in Kansas needs to be brightened up for fall, Outdoor Environments can help. Call us at 913-897-2706. We serve areas in and around Kansas City and Overland Park.

Screened in porches can be tricky to design. That’s because they walk a fine line between interior and exterior. Not only do these outdoor rooms expose themselves to nature’s fury, they are expected to be just as cozy and inviting as a living room. Not only are porches supposed to protect you from insects, heat and cold, it should also keep you warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. As contradictory as it may sound, porches are the only types of rooms that can achieve these conflicting results.

Many factors must be considered before the perfect porch can be added onto a home. Topography, existing vegetation, layout and proximity to roadways are some of the first issues that must be tackled. Then, the porch must be positioned in such a way that the rising and setting of the sun hits at just the right angle. Some porches can even be detached. Either way, porch building and designing takes much planning. According to Qualified Remodeler,

The sun travels in predictable paths throughout the day and, in turn, the seasons. Given this predictability, a design can be achieved to bring in or protect from the sun, depending on the desired outcome. Sunlight early or late in the day is low, whatever the season, while the angles of the sun at midday vary dramatically during the course of the year. In latitudes away from the equator, winter sun comes in low at noon, whereas summer sun is nearly directly overhead. With attention to roof overhangs, the midday sun can be blocked or allowed in as desired. Morning and afternoon sun can be blocked, as well, with solid or movable means. The dependability of the sun’s movement is relatively easy to accommodate with considerate design.

If you’d like a sunroom added to your home but you don’t know exactly where to begin, Outdoor Environments can handle to job. Call us in Kansas City/Overland Park at 913-897-2706.

Image from Vintage Ginger Peaches

Are you in need of some outdoor design inspiration? Here are some beautiful ideas that you can use for your current or future deck and patio projects! Just because the fall is near doesn’t mean it’s too early to think about spring. Early planning is key!

Contact Outdoor Environments for your patio and deck needs in Kansas City and Overland Park!

Images from BHG

Patio decorating can go a lot further than plush seating and a deluxe grilling station. It’s time to start thinking about your patio’s entry and exit point as a bonafide outdoor design element. No patio is complete without the right patio door to complement it. Patio doors, when chosen and constructed selectively, can serve as an amazing focal point that adds to the panache of your entire patio. Here are some trends and ideas to keep in mind when installing or updating your patio doors:

• Customized doors – Consumer want their choice when it comes to materials, grille patterns, colors, and hardware finishes.
• Green features – Just like windows, doors also have eco-friendly features. You can easily reduce heating and cooling costs by installing Energy Star doors on your patio.
• Style – From swinging to sliding doors, there are plenty of options that’ll allow your patio doors to operate in a way that is safe and convenient for your entire family.
• Privacy – Don’t forget that you can always dress glass patio doors with blinds, curtains, drapes and other decorative panels to keep the inside of your home private. There are also many ways to keep your patio private.

Patio doors can add a stylish and beautiful element to your outdoor space!

Visit the Outdoor Environments Facebook gallery to see examples of our patios and other outdoor spaces.

Image from Houzz

As the summer slowly winds down and the cool autumn season arrives, keep in mind that there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your outdoor space. Don’t let the cooler weather keep you inside! With an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, you can make the most of your backyard long after the summer is over.

Fire pits

• Usually serves as an accent piece
• Great for creating a natural and conversational gathering spot
• Small, but radiates plenty of heat
• Very cost-effective
• Can be portable or custom built
• Can often be converted into outdoor cocktail table
• No smoke control

Fireplace

• Usually serves as the main outdoor focal point
• Easy to install on a porch, patio or deck
• Lots of options when it comes to architectural details

Which option is best for your outdoor space? If you need an expert to custom build or install your fireplace or fire pit, contact Outdoor Environments today!

Images from Latte Lisa and Remodelista

One of the disadvantages to living in some of today’s modern subdivisions is the loss of privacy. Even if you have a beautiful and fully functional outdoor living space, you won’t enjoy its full potential if the space is open to wandering eyes and nosy neighbors. Backyard privacy is a must. A recent Philadelphia Times article explains it best by saying,

It’s a particular problem for homeowners in close-in suburbs, where backyards abut and you may as well invite the neighbors to everything you do outside since they’re pretty much right there with you anyway. But even spacious yards can feel exposed, with neighboring lots impinging on personal space.

In the article, a handful of landscape designers provided tips and tricks to creating more privacy in the backyard. Here’s what they had to say!

Privatizing your backyard is key to enjoying your outdoor living space.

Santa Barbara-based landscape designer Margie Grace:

“Think ‘screening’ before throwing up a barrier. One of my favorite choices is a screen made of steel-wire reinforcing mesh mounted on wood posts. Let the wire rust for a great look, and add lacy vines. You’ve got a show-stopping art piece, plus the privacy you need. Add architectural details such as screen panels or an iron grill; artistic details like tile mosaic, shutters, shadow box or a mural; or a beautiful gate even if it doesn’t go anywhere. These help make the wall welcoming.”

If a neighbor’s house looms over you, Grace suggests creating an outdoor “ceiling” with canopy trees and overhead structures such as pergolas, shade sails and arbors.

England-based landscape designer Julia Fogg says,

“I prefer the softer look that the Japanese do so well — interwoven bamboo and willow with tightly bound knotted twigs. You can solve concerns about fence-height restrictions or neighbor sightlines with double screens, ornamental grasses and slim, tall trees. Place the deck or patio so you have your back to the problem. Foliage also saps up and absorbs noise.”

Click here to learn more tips mentioned in the article. If you need privacy features in your Kansas backyard, contact Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Image from Houzz