Outdoor Environments Blog

Are you looking for inspirational ideas for your outdoor living space this spring and summer, then you’ve come to the right place!

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, so the color for today (obviously) is green! It’s a wonderful color to incorporate when designing your patio, deck, porch, or enclosed room. Whether you use natural greenery or you incorporate hunter, olive, emerald and lime green furnishings into your outdoor décor, it’ll look great! Don’t believe us? Take a look at some of these inspirational outdoor designs!

Letting natural green plants, shrubs and flowers shine as your main outdoor element is a very unique way to approach outdoor living.

Adding color to your outdoor space is one of the best decisions you could possibly make. The excess of natural greenery here is also an easy way to create a private backyard oasis.

Natural greenery couples quite well with cream, creating a serene outdoor space to escape.

Blend modern and rustic elements with distressed patio furniture and stainless steel outdoor appliances.

If you’re in the Overland Park or Kansas City area, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to find out how we can help make your outdoor living space greener. If you want to see examples of our own work, view the photo gallery on our Facebook fan page!

Photos from House Beautiful

This is the time of year when outdoor living trends will be all over the blogosphere. We know, because just last week we told you all about how outdoor kitchens are coming on strong in 2011.

Now the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has released their Residential Trends Survey. Included are some very promising finds. ASLA asked a group of professional landscape architects what trends and features they expect to see grow this year. Check out these highlights:

Most popular outdoor living features:

Exterior Lighting – 96.2%

Fire pits/fireplaces – 94.2%

Seating/dining areas – 94.1%

Grills – 93.8%

Installed seating like benches – 89.5

Most popular structures:

Fencing (includes gates) – 85.1%
Arbors – 83.8%
Pergolas – 82.6%
Steps – 79.3%
Ornamental water features such as fountains or splash pools – 77.5%
Decks – 74.4%
Porches – 72.3%

Outdoor Environments specializes in many of these popular outdoor living features including patios, decks, porches, fire pits and fireplaces, grill enclosures, pergolas and arbors. Call us at 913-897-2706 to find out more about how Outdoor Environments can bring life to your outdoor living space! You can also visit our Facebook fan page to see our impressive portfolio!

Outdoor living area shown is by Outdoor Environments

According to Kitchen & Bath Business, experts agree that outdoor kitchens are no longer considered a luxury. They are now a common and standard feature for home remodeling and new home construction. But to achieve the perfect outdoor kitchen area, the perfect patio or deck must first be installed.

So why are outdoor kitchen areas so hot? Experts say there are many reasons. Among them:

• Homeowners have an increasing desire to invest in projects that increase property value.
• Plain and empty backyards are boring and uninspiring.
• Consumers are more interested in cheaper, healthier ways to eat and outdoor grilling helps to fill that void.
• For those who can’t sell their homes, outdoor kitchens and living areas not only add value, but quality of life.

In order to create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, you must first realize that a custom patio or deck sets the foundation. Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today to get started with planning your outdoor oasis!

Photo from Outdoor Environments

Most people think that plants, flowers, gardens and beautiful landscapes are natural wonders that can only be enjoyed from outside. However, no homeowner should ever underestimate the beauty of Mother Nature from inside. Have you ever noticed that with the right room addition, like a seasonal sunroom or screened porch, you can easily enjoy a spectacular view of your garden from inside? Here is a couple ideas for you to keep in mind:

• Plan your outdoor landscape from inside instead of from outside. You’ll have a better view of what areas can andcannot be seen from inside.
• Strategically place colorful trees, plants, shrubs and flowers where they can be seen from inside your outdoor room.

• When decorating your outdoor room, take into consideration the colors that appear in your outdoor landscape.
• One of the best design tips here is to keep your outdoor room neutral in color, that way the bright shades outside will pop even more.

Are you ready for a screened porch or seasonal sunroom to take your outdoor space to the next level? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today! You can also visit our Facebook fan page to view beautiful examples of our outdoor rooms.

Screened porch by Outdoor Environments

Spring is almost here and if you’re probably already be daydreaming about ways to start enjoying your deck or patio again. How about adding a few touches to make your outdoor space a bit more private and cozy? Check out these tips from Better Homes & Gardens:

Add a Touch of Fabric

Check out the wide variety of outdoor-friendly fabrics to create a perfect screen. Sheets of fabric sewn like curtains and hung from an old curtain rod or wire are quick and easy to put together. Plus, they’re inexpensive — so you can have a couple of different options to fit your mood.

Add the Sound of Water

Background noise from a busy street can be just as annoying as seeing your neighbor’s weedy back yard. Solve this kind of problem by adding a fountain or other water feature to your deck or patio. Even a gentle trickle of water can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your time outdoors!

Add a Great Wall

A privacy fence is one of the most common ways to block a view. Let a simple fence cap off the platform, providing a perfect, secluded retreat. A series of container gardens soften the deck or patio, making it even more inviting.

Incorporate a Tree

Instead of clearing the ground when you add a deck or patio, take advantage of what’s already there. An old apple tree isn’t just a great addition to the yard — it gives the space more privacy by creating a soft, natural canopy, too. Lush plantings around the edge of the deck or patio also help it feel softer and more secluded.

Need help making your patio or deck more personalized and private? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

The holiday season and the dawn of a New Year always spur one of the most exciting announcements of all – engagements! Now that wedding season is finally rolling around, it’s time to start considering the possibility of an outdoor wedding ceremony and/or reception under a custom made gazebo.

There are many benefits to an outdoor gazebo wedding:

1. The average wedding can cost upwards of $20,000 just for a few hours of festivities. You can save a bundle with a quaint but still beautiful backyard event and put the money you saved towards an extravagant honeymoon!
2. Gazebos are very easy to personalize with the same decorations and accessories you would use in a church, ball room or other common wedding venue.
3. A nicely decorated gazebo will serve as the focal point to a backyard, so it’s guaranteed that all eyes will be on the bride (and groom) throughout the entire ceremony.
4. Even you choose not to use a gazebo for the actual ceremony; it’ll still serve as a comfy sitting area for guests to enjoy during intermission or the outdoor reception.
5. After the wedding, your custom gazebo can be used for any other outdoor event or even just as a relaxing spot right outside your home!

Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get started on building a gazebo just in time for wedding season! You can also see examples of our outdoor design work on our Facebook fan page!

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that there are three ways to stay abreast of news, updates and blog posts from Outdoor Environments?

1. Subscribe to our blog and get posts sent straight to your inbox! You’ll be alerted as soon as we post new content about outdoor patio/deck living, trends and so much more! You’ll find the subscription box located on the right side of our blog’s homepage.

Simply enter your e-mail address to register. A subscription e-mail confirmation will be sent directly to you. After activating your subscription, you’ll get blog posts sent to you as soon as they’re published!

2. Are you on Twitter? So are we! You can find links to our blog posts and see who we’re connected to by visiting our Twitter page. Got questions or comments?  Feel free to connect with us on Twitter Our Twitter alias is @outdoorenviron. Follow us today!

3. If you like Outdoor Environments, then “Like” us on Facebook. Our Facebook fan page is a great way to keep in touch with us! Find links to our blog and website, and see examples of our work. Don’t forget to suggest our page to the rest of your Facebook friends!

Facebook/Twitter logo on homepage courtesy of Business Week.

Outdoor Environments is experienced with creating custom three and four-season room additions in the Overland Park and Kansas City areas. But many people are not clear about what the difference is between the two. Here’s a quick lesson:

Three-season rooms or porches

• Can be used for up to three seasons in a year, usually spring, summer and fall
• Insulation is common, but they’re not meant to be heated during the winter
• Serves as a comfortable area that’s not really inside or outside
• Uses can include exercising, reading or relaxing with a spa or hot tub

Example of three-season room by Outdoor Environments:

Four-season rooms

• Can be used year-round, regardless of season or weather conditions
• Provide extra benefits for the extreme Midwestern winters
• Can be heated and/or cooled just like any other room in the house
• Usually portray the same architectural style as the rest of the house

Example of four-season room by Outdoor Environments:

So the choice is up to you. Which type of outdoor room do you think would best suit your needs? Leave a comment and let us know!

If you have an eye on a new deck add-on for your home, now is the perfect time to start planning and brainstorming. Waiting too long can possibly delay your deck installation and before you know it, the cool fall weather will be here again. Don’t let time pass you by! Here are just a few general ideas to get you started with identifying your deck needs:

• What will your deck be used for? The purpose of your deck, whether it be simple relaxation or lively entertainment, will weigh heavily on its placement and how it is designed.
• Decide your style. There are many different ways to go here. You can choose to do something bold and unique, or design your deck much like an existing room inside your home.
• Start thinking about deck features you might be interested in – furniture, tables, kitchen area, fire pit, etc.
• What lies beneath? You may not be able to see wiring, drainage systems and gas lines, but they are there. So don’t be surprised if you deck can’t be placed in your desired location. Safety first!

Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get started with planning your deck in the Overland Park or Kansas City area.

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments’ Facebook Photo Gallery

If you’ve ever gone through the process of home remodeling or adding new features to increase your property value, you already know that it can take a lot of time and patience. But once you’re a step closer to living in your dream home, how do you keep it up? Here are some tips on keeping your new patio looking new: 

1. Stop weed growth by applying a mixture of water and white vinegar to the patio surface. This should stop weeds dead in their tracks. Although there are plenty of herbicides on the market, many of them are not safe for patio pavers. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label first.
2. To remove general stains, wash the patio surface with a mixture of warm water and a mild, general detergent. Recent stains can be scrubbed gently while older stains may need more rigorous care with a hard bristle brush.
3. Paint thinner is the magic ingredient to remove paint stains from patio pavers. Just wipe the thinner away with a damp cloth and rinse the patio surface with water.
4. Regular sweeping keeps your patio looking bright. Pressure washing also keeps the color in tact. Adding a layer of sealer will make the material last longer.

If you need professional patio care in the Overland Park or Kansas City areas, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!