Outdoor Environments Blog

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When building a new deck for your home, don’t forget to install lighting as well. Lighting your deck is important for the safety of those who are using it, especially if you are using it at night! However, don’t just throw a couple of lights up and call it a day – plan your lighting so that you can also create a beautiful atmosphere for your deck. The following are just a few ideas that you can use to light your deck:

• Pattern Lighting – Place lights behind your steps and carve out geometric designs in each of your risers to create beautifully illuminated designs.

• Rope Lighting – String rope lighting along your deck’s fence for a more playful atmosphere, or if you have a roof over your deck, hang them from up above.

• Downlights – If you have a fence that wraps around your deck, consider placing downlights onto the posts to provide lighting that provides a subtle or romantic mood.

• Cap Lights – These fixtures attach to the top of your deck posts, thereby providing plenty of lighting around the deck area.

For everything you need in terms of decks in Kansas City, contact us at Outdoor Environments today.

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Although there are a lot of excellent exterior remodeling ideas out there, one of the most popular outdoor additions among homeowners is the fire pit. A fire pit can be used for social gatherings or more intimate moments and allows you and your family to enjoy your outdoor area even as the temperature drops. The following are a few tips that you should keeping mind when adding a fire pit.

• The Wind – If you happen to live in an area that is subject to a lot of wind, then you may want to consider building a half wall around your fire pit. This will help prevent the flames from going everywhere and endangering surrounding guests.

• Fire Safety – Make sure that you clear the area around the fire pit. You don’t want any nearby bushes or plant life that could accidentally catch fire.

• Space – Choose an area for the fire pit that provides plenty of space to add seating.

• Ventilation – Proper ventilation is important, since you don’t want to inhale any of the fumes. Whatever you do, don’t build the fire pit in an enclosed area.

For additional exterior remodeling ideas, be sure to contact us at Outdoor Environments.

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Who is it for?
Make an assessment of your needs.  Who will benefit from the space you want to create?  Do you have kids, pets, or a lot of guests?  Make sure to add features everyone can enjoy.

Define your space
A clear design is helpful.  Designate areas—a place for a fire pit or barbeque, a play space, an area to relax, a dining space, or a spot to roam free.  Avoid clutter, and highlight each area in your design with different features.  For example, your dining area can be used day or night, rain or shine with the right lighting and cover.

Add unique details
Mix materials (like stone and copper), add structures (pergolas, gazebos), and display art pieces.

All of these exterior remodeling ideas can help you create a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy year round.  Contact us at Outdoor Environments for help designing your dream yard.

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Anyone looking for exterior remodeling ideas should consider finishing their outdoor garden rooms by adding walls around the perimeter. Walls not only add privacy, they help to define the exterior garden space, thereby increasing your home’s curb appeal. However, choosing the right material for your walls is another matter. You won’t want a white picket fence for a contemporary style home, or a modern steel wall for a mountain style home. The following are a few different walls that you can incorporate into your garden area:

• Brick Wall – Brick is a material that not only complements the natural elements of your garden but also draws the eye because of its simple beauty. Brick also adds security due to its durability and strength.

• Wood Fence – There’s nothing wrong with going with a traditional wood fence, since wood easily complements a garden space. Try using horizontal planks instead of the traditional vertical style for a more unique look.

• Greenery – If you have a serviceable but not quite visually pleasing fence, then hide it with tall greenery. Foliage often makes a fantastic natural wall.

For all of your outdoor remodeling needs, be sure to contact us at Outdoor Environments today.

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When buying a new home, most homeowners concentrate on the house itself and check the foundation, the roof and the appliances. Savvier ones will also look at the landscaping around the home. For this latter group, here are some tips on what to look for when evaluating the outdoor hardscapes of a home:

• Patios & Walkways – While small cracks are not inherently bad, they can indicate a problem that is about to occur. Large tree roots that run under a /0/ “>patio will eventually warp and finally buckle it.
• Stone Walls – Walls that tilt even a little bit indicate a problem with the wall’s foundation or with its drainage. This is not a situation that will fix itself and should be addressed before purchasing the property.
• Steps – Stairs should be level and plumb with appropriate landing areas on both the upper and lower ends. Otherwise, they can be a safety problem as well as an eyesore.

For more information on hardscapes, contact the professional Kansas City contractors at Outdoor Environments. We can be found online at OutdoorEnvironments.com or you can call us directly at 913-897-2706.

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Creating a comfortable outdoor space in your backyard is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to increase the usability and value of your home. Whether you need more room to entertain, relax or just hang out with your family, there is the right extension for you. Here are some examples:

• Traditional Patio – Whether you’re entertaining some friends or just want to catch some rays by yourself, an outdoor patio will provide a comfortable and relaxing setting.  For even more entertainment options, add a fire pit or water feature.
• Outdoor Kitchen – One of these additions will let your house stay cool while you cook and also let you stay part of the action while you get things ready for dinner. In addition, they are usually a lot easier to clean.
• Gazebo – For a little quiet time, consider a shady gazebo located a little ways away from the house. You can add electricity and running water so that you have a little slice of heaven in the great outdoors.

For other great exterior remodeling ideas, contact us at Outdoor Environments. We can be found online at OutdoorEnvironments.com or you can call us directly at 913-897-2706.

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Outdoor living rooms and kitchens are all the rage with today’s homeowners, and why wouldn’t they be? Homeowners are trying to use as much space to their advantage as possible, and the outdoor area often goes unused. The following are a few of the more popular features that homeowners are implementing into their outdoor living areas.

• Fire Pit – Fire pits are currently one of the top features that homeowners desire. It’s not difficult to see why; fire pits offer a social gathering spot that can be both intimate and larger scale, and they provide the outdoor area with warmth and comfort.
• BBQ Grill – Cooking outside has always been a popular pastime among American homeowners, and it’s no different these days. Homeowners like to be able to cook outdoors so that they can socialize with friends and family.
• Pergola – A pergola is a great way to offer some shade from the sun without completely obscuring the sky or the environment around you.
• Hot Tub – Not only are hot tubs fun and relaxing, but they have also been found to have numerous health benefits as well.

Be sure to contact Outdoor Environments for all of your outdoor living area needs.

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Harvesting rainwater is a practical and eco-friendly decision, but many homeowners shy away from it for aesthetic reasons. The typical rain barrel has long been thought of as an eyesore, but with the right approach you can turn your harvesting system into a fitting embellishment, or even a focal point, for the existing style of your home. Use any of the following ideas to turn your rain barrel into a statement of style.

Traditional wood-paneled cisterns may look out of place in a chic, contemporary home, but they fit right in with natural foliage, shrubbery or any earth-tone color schemes. Concrete or steel barrels might seem imposing for a stately southern farmhouse, but they match new-age, industrial architecture just fine. The idea is to conform your rain barrel’s style to the rest of your home’s decor.

Consider rain chains instead of gutters for concrete or natural stone exteriors, or use the same siding for your storage container that you used for your exterior to help blend it in. Even a standard wood barrel can be fitting decor, depending on the style of your deck and your home in general.

For more outdoor remodeling trends and advice, visit our blog today.

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Your Kansas City house is perfect. Ideal amenities, layout and furnishings. Unfortunately, the view out your windows is anything but perfect. Exterior remodeling ideas featuring great landscaping and hardscaping create a view everyone can enjoy. Breathe some new life into your property with some imaginative view fixes.

To deal with small, unsightly things ruining your view, such as propane tanks, electrical boxes and central air units, you can use some clever landscaping tricks to hide them. A strategically placed trellis or a decorative retaining wall covered with climbing plants is enough to hide a propane tank or electrical box. Central air units need space around them so landscaping needs to draw attention away from them rather than covering them.

Dealing with an unsightly view of the neighborhood requires more inventive exterior remodeling ideas. Rather than putting up a tall fence, add in large hardscaping details. Constructing a large wall featuring a cutout creates a frame for the tall trees and sky-reaching plants behind it. A corner waterfall with full, flowering trees bring the eye down from utility poles and power lines. These combinations of hard and soft elements camouflage undesirable views.

Need more ideas to alter an undesirable exterior view? Contact our experienced landscaping experts for planning ideas and inspiration.

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A patio can be a wonderful addition to your home, as long as you are making good use of it. Many homeowners have patio spaces, but because they haven’t put any work into designing it, that space ends up being barely used. The following are a few ideas that you can incorporate into your patio design to make it more inviting.

• Gazebo – Erect a gazebo over your patio area. This provides a number of benefits. You’ll still feel like you’re out in the open, since you’ll be able to see the sky, but you’ll still be protected from harsh sunlight. Additionally, a gazebo will create a more      comfortable atmosphere.
• Plants and Trees – By planting plants and trees around your patio area, you will not only increase the scenic and natural beauty of the space, but you’ll also be helping to block out exterior noises and sounds such as traffic. You’ll also be adding shade.
• Indoor Chandelier – Bring some of the comfort of inside outdoors by hanging a chandelier over a small table underneath your gazebo.

If you need assistance with patios in Kansas City, be sure to contact Outdoor Environments.