Outdoor Environments Blog

In 2012, expect outdoor spaces to take a leap into eco-friendly territory. How so?

• Consumers will increasingly invest in plants and products that conserve and collect water. This feature is a must since much of the country has experienced severe drought over the past few years.
• Irrigation systems now offer customized sensors that turn off when it rains, preventing a great amount of wasted water.
• Some plants are considered drought-tolerant, which means that don’t consume large amounts of water. Examples include roses, lemon trees, hedges, grass, palms and succulents.
• Homeowners are requesting more hardscapes and permeable surfaces that prevent rainwater from collecting in unwanted areas.
• Year-round or seasonal landscapes keep the yard beautiful during the winter as well as milder seasons.

To find out how Outdoor Environments can upgrade your outdoor space, view examples of our work on Facebook!

Information from Ask for Lara

Image by Jordan Polevoy Photography on GettyImages.com

When the first snow of 2012 finally descends upon Kansas City, you had best be prepared. Taking certain precautions now will not only preserve your yard, but it’ll keep everyone safe from the hazards that come along with snow and ice.

• Before it snows, insert stakes along the pathways, driveways and garden beds. This way you’ll know where to stop shoveling.
• Avoid using giant and/or heavy shovels. If overloaded with too much snow, you’ll risk back pain and other bodily injuries.
• Don’t become overly concerned with shrub that are covered in snow. Shaking the snow off can be very damaging.
• If time and energy permit, it’s best to shovel several times instead of letting snow pile up into massive heaps. You’d rather shovel two inches of snow than seven, right?
• Avoid piling snow onto retaining walls. Once the snow melts and refreezes, it can crack and damage the structure.
• Keep sand or kitty litter on hand to spread onto icy surfaces once the snow has been cleared. It’ll provide much-needed traction and avoid slips and falls.

Tips adapted from This Old House

Image by Danielle Donders on GettyImages.com

Homeowners over the past couple of years have spent a lot of time finding ways to go green at home. They’ve invested in everything from Energy Star appliances to updating water fixtures. But don’t forget that you can also incorporate eco-friendly features outside the home as well!

1. Choose native, shade-providing, wind protective, drought-tolerant plants.
2. Divide, re-root and re-plant existing plants instead of buying new.
3. Use permeable pavement for patios, sidewalks, and hardscaping to prevent soil erosion from runoff, filter pollutants and allow tree roots to grow.
4. Place rain barrels under downspouts to collect water for plants and other household uses.
5. Use solar or geothermal energy to heat pools and spas.
6. Save healthy, old-growth trees when renovating to help shade the house.

Is your home’s exterior green in any way?

Tips from the January 2012 issue of Atlanta Home Improvement

Image by Steve Cole on GettyImages.com

It’s a new year! What does that mean for your outdoor space?

Hopefully it means new updates, features and structures. In the Kansas City area, Outdoor Environments has plenty of experience with exterior remodeling. This includes decks (single and multi-level), gazebos, arbors, hot tubs, spa enclosures, screened patios, seasonal outdoor rooms, room additions and much more.

Is your yard in serious need of a makeover?

If you aren’t sure which of our specialties is right for you, here’s a look back at some of our posts that might help you to make informed decisions when it comes to your outdoor living plans for 2012!

• Are things at home becoming tight and crowded? Then a room extension might be your answer to comfortable living.
• Since the weather outside is still nippy to say the least, a hot tub might be in order. And don’t forget the cover!
• Stay outside and keep warm with a fireplace or fire pit.
• When spring rolls around again, you’ll need a dedicated outdoor grilling spot. And yes, we can do it!
• To add charm and personality outside your home, consider a custom entryway arbor.
• Read more about how a detached porch can improve your quality of life by providing the best of two worlds – inside and outside!

So, which update would you choose? No matter what, Outdoor Environments can achieve it. Visit our Facebook photo gallery to see examples of our completed work.

Image by Peter Cooper on GettyImages.com

Happy New Year from Outdoor Environments!

It’s been a huge year for outdoor living. Gradually, homeowners are truly starting to treat their outdoor spaces with just as much care and concern about their indoor spaces!

In 2011, some of our blog posts became a hit with our readers. Which ones? Here’s our top 10 most read blog posts of the year!

1. Make your deck or patio more private
2. Decorating outdoors: Making the most of what you have
3. Privacy please
4. 6 Tips to cleaning your grill
5. The benefits of a four-season room by Outdoor Environments
6. Screened-in porches
7. Seasonal rooms 101
8. Great outdoor rooms: Three-season vs. four-season
9. Great outdoor entertaining ideas from CasaSugar
10. Consider a front yard deck

Check back with us in the New Year for brand new tips, trends and outdoor living ideas for 2012!

Image by Vincenzo Papa on GettyImages.com

Outdoor Environments would like to wish you a very happy holiday weekend!

If you’re having guests for the weekend, here are some last minute safety tips from the Home Safety Council:

We love these winter outdoor lighting creations from My Home Ideas!

Torches and candles aren't just for indoor use. See how they add an elegant glow to this entryway?

This charming arched tunnel of lights is a festive way to welcome holiday guests.

Enjoy your deck or patio by draping a net of lights across your outdoor table. So easy!

Nothing says winter like trees and other greenery wrapped with holiday lights!

Create this DIY look by punching holes in the snow, then inserting votive lights or candles.

How are you lighting up your outdoors this winter?

If you have an outdoor hot tub, it’s a magnificent way stay warm while enjoying the outdoors. Still, some homeowners would rather put a lid on their hot tub and keep it closed until warmer weather rolls back around.

But what exactly does a hot tub cover do?

1. Keeps it protected from unwanted or dangerous contaminants like leaves, dirt, sand, etc.
2. Keep children and pets safe.
3. Prevent mildew.
4. Keeps pests, bugs, and rodents away.
5. Provides insulation, which maintains water temperature if you choose to keep it running during the winter.
6. Gives the hot tub a stylish look since many colors, styles, shapes, sizes and materials are available.

One of our completed hot tubs shows how a cover can be an inconspicuous accessory.

Visit our Facebook photo gallery to see more examples of our completed hot tubs and spa decks around Kansas City!

Tips adapted from ServiceMagic.com  

Whether you enjoy chestnuts roasting on an open fire or toasting jumbo marshmallows, you can’t deny the fact that outdoor fire pits and fireplaces are perfect for family bonding time.

It’s often been said that families who sit together at the dinner table reap many benefits. The children perform better in school and the family communicates on a healthy level. Why not take that precious family time outside this winter? Gathering around the fire outside is a fun and adventurous activity for both kids and adults.

Around the fire you can:

• Make gooey s’mores
• Read stories together
• Share the day’s events
• Enjoy the beautiful view of a crackling fire
• Admire the falling snow

Would you like an outdoor fire pit or fireplace? Outdoor Environments specializes in these custom features and more! Visit our Facebook page to see examples of our work all over the Kansas City area.

Image by Trinette Reed on GettyImages.com

Breakfast nooks inside the home have lost their luster, according to building and remodeling experts. Although these spaces are attractive and add charm, they receive very little attention. This is especially true for busy families who are always on the go. So what kind of space do experts say are more useful?

Outdoor living spaces, of course!

We have more than 20 years of experience building outdoor living rooms all over Kansas City!

Builders say that an increasing number of their projects involve adding sliding glass doors into the backs of houses. This helps to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. Homeowners love the idea of having outdoor living rooms. It allows them to truly reap the benefits of their property without being confined inside the home. By adding an outdoor feature, it can make the house seem larger.

From decks and patios to gazebos and seasonal rooms, Outdoor Environments can bring your outdoor living space to life. If you’re in the Kansas City area, call us today at 913-897-2706 to discuss your options and needs.