Category Archives: Outdoor Design Ideas

Outdoor Environments loves bringing the outdoors to life for our clients. For many of our customers, that involves providing them with just the right balance of style, ambiance, and comfort–each of which is created with precision thanks to our quality, durable materials.

One of our most powerful outdoor design statements we are asked to create for clients involves incorporating pergolas and arbors into outdoor landscapes. Check out some of our most shining examples below.

In a recent post, we covered some Dreamy Outdoor Spaces to give our clients and readers some inspiration. Today, we thought we’d share a few more spaces worthy of a second glance, courtesy of HGTV. Here are a few examples of how hardscaping and landscaping combine for a harmonious design.

Image via HGTV.com

Perfect for entertaining, this space offers respite in both the sun and shade.

Image via HGTV.com

An empty, soulless backyard in its previous life, this pleasing patio has been transformed into an elegant and visually interesting space the homeowners enjoy with family, friends and guests.

Photo via HGTV.com

An outdoor kitchen, fireplace and sitting area — with killer views, we might add — is accessible from this home’s basement, patio and driveway.

Can’t get enough? Check out “Pleasing Patio Designs.”

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we thought it appropriate to showcase some of the most stylish love seat’s out there, thanks to a recent article in House Beautiful magazine.

Yin Yang, synthetic rattan, $2,916. Kenneth Cobonpue for Janus et Cie: 800-245-2687; janusetcie.com.

Mariposa, teak, $6,900. Ted Boerner for Henry Hall Designs: 800-767-7738; henryhalldesigns.com.

Santa Monica, teak, $1,185. Restoration Hardware: 800-910-9836; restorationhardware.com.

Kingston Shelter, synthetic wicker, $2,046. Laneventure: 800-235-3558.

Here’s to hoping your Valentine’s Day is filled with as many x’s and o’s you deserve. In the mean time, check out more living-room-worthy outdoor love seats here.

There may be snow on the ground, but that doesn’t keep us from dreaming up inspiring outdoor spaces. Which brings us to the question, if money were no object, what elements would you like to see in your outdoor environment? Here are a few ideas to get your ideas flowing…

Living in the mountains does not have to be a prerequisite for installing a crowd-pleasing Bocce ball court into your outdoor space.

James Carter/Sunset

A Bali-inspired “meditation meadow,” perhaps?

Thomas J. Story/Sunset

An outdoor space equipped with a cozy fireplace and roll-down glass panels that both your family — and the pups — can enjoy year-round?

Roger Davies/Coastal Living

A canopied daybed ideal for springtime napping?

Lisa Romerein/Coastal Living

When it comes to designing your outdoor space, what inspires you? We have many a client who start envisioning their design by tearing pages from magazines that speak to their lifestyles and style sensibilities.

A built-in space that practically recedes into the landscape?

Mali Azima/Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

A second-story porch above the “mosquito line” to negate a need for screened enclosures?

Erica George Dines/Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Rattan furniture with custom upholstery in colors that pop?

J. Savage Gibson/Coastal Living

An outdoor fireplace as cozy as the one indoors?

Ralph Anderson/Southern Living

Share your design inspirations with us!

What are the three main components of deck design? “How it looks, how it functions, and how much it costs,” according to an article in Residential Design & Build magazine.

Some other fun facts: “the rectangle deck of the past has been pushed aside to make room for new shapes and options inconceivable 25 years ago.” Today, designers are adding angles to deck edges and corners to create visual interest, or raising areas to define various spaces. Deck design today has advanced to interesting shapes, color and can include several levels.

Image via www.rdbmagazine.com

Today’s homeowners are also taking their sweet time to create their dream outdoor space. According to the article, “homeowners can take up to two years from the time they think about their deck until the time they actually pull the trigger on a project.”

So after you’ve done your research, dreamed about the details, including the multiple levels, grills, and gardens that will encompass your landscape makeover, be sure to consult with us at Outdoor Environments.

As craftsmen, carpenters and engineers, it’s our duty to inform you of the latest developments in outdoor living, whether it’s screened-in porches, mulit-level decks, gazebos and hot tub or spa enclosures. But what about bringing the best of the great outdoors inside of your home?

Our friends at Kansas City Homes & Gardens recently blogged about some gorgeous, sustainable hardwood furniture manufactured by Stone Forest. The bench would look equally great in an entry hall as it would in a garden, and the pedestal sink definitely adds a ‘Wow’ factor to any powder room.

What are some of your favorite ways to bring nature indoors?

What are the elements of a dreamy outdoor living space that are most important to you? For a pair of homeowners in Johnson County, it was designing a space that would not only accommodate their guests when entertaining, but also make it spacious and inviting enough to be enjoyed both from the deck outside their breakfast nook and from the ground on the the lush landscape of their sprawling backyard.

A Johnson County deck transformation, as featured in Kansas City Homes & Gardens

The resulting 1,700-square-foot transformation, as envisioned by Outdoor Environments, is a “cozy outdoor alcove with more than enough amenities,” according to an article in Kansas City Homes & Gardens. Those bells and whistles include an outdoor kitchen equipped with a grill, searing plates, refrigerator and beverage trough; a gas fire pit, wishing well, and four-season screened-in living area with radiant-heat tile flooring, flat-screen TV and floor-to-ceiling windows.

A four-season outdoor room, at the top of the homeowners' wish list

Like what you see? Check out more photos from this project in the KCH&G article called “The Place to Be“. We couldn’t agree with the title more!

We don’t know about you, but we’re counting down the days until spring, when we can break out our outdoor furniture, get back on the grill (without our hats and gloves) and relax, minus the chill.

Kansas City Homes & Gardens recently published a visual compilation of little outdoor luxuries that have us dreaming up plans for our first spring fling, including a hanging lounger from Pottery Barn and a buzz-worthy outdoor theatre by Frontgate (examples below). Talk about being the hit of the neighborhood!

What are your little outdoor luxuries? Let us know how we can help implement them in your outdoor living spaces.

“At the turn of the millennium, ‘carbon footprint’ wasn’t a household term, ‘paper or plastic’ hadn’t become a moral dilemma, and reduce, reuse and recycle didn’t yet come to mind as the three R’s,” writes San Francisco Chronicle Home & Garden Editor Deb Wandell.

Agreed. When it comes to the home and garden, we’ve come along way in the last 10 years, thanks in part to a mass move toward sustainable living and giving serious thought to our personal footprints on the environment.

Ten years ago, weather-resistant products and outdoor living rooms were just starting to make a name for themselves. Image via sfgate.com