Outdoor Environments Blog

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You love your home’s hot tub–it is a great place to relax, a perfect spot to enjoy a starry night, and a good gathering spot for family and friends. But it may take up a significant portion of your deck. What could you do with this space if the hot tub wasn’t there?

If you’re hoping for more space on your deck but you don’t want to get rid of your hot tub, we have a unique solution for you. We have a strategic design that allows you to maximize space and extend the function of your design. Hiding the hot tub is simple with help from our professionals at Outdoor Environments when the deck is essentially built around the sunken hot tub. The hot tub is positioned below the majority of the deck, but you would retain access to the mechanics and the tub from the lower point of the deck.  When the hot tub is not in use, sturdy wood panels are secured over the covered hot tub, creating a new space that is the perfect spot for guests to mingle and the party to begin.

If you’d like to learn more about versatile decks in Kansas City, contact us at Outdoor Environments. We have solutions for all your decking needs!

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Enjoying your summer meals outdoors is healthy, refreshing and fun, and it helps to have a designated space to enjoy them. If you add a backyard picnic area to your home, you may find yourself spending mealtime outdoors this summer more often than you do inside.

Lattice fencing is a great option for separating your dining area from gardens and other flora while still feeling natural and letting in the sunlight. Try adding bamboo furniture to complement the welcoming, natural style. Other, more high-end designs incorporate marble for tabletops and fine materials like flagstone for flooring.

Many outdoor remodeling trends involve placing your dining area within the garden, creating a cozy lunch nook canopied by leafy trees or surrounded with lively flowers. To pull off this sense of liveliness in an area with less vegetation, try lining the perimeter or overhangs with hanging garden arrangements, like planters with flowers or leafy ferns. Remember, the amount of shade your outdoor dining area receives is completely up to you. The idea is to make your outdoor dining area suit you, so there is no wrong choice between chic and compartmentalized or earthy and integrated.

To get started today or to learn more about outdoor remodeling trends, visit us at Outdoor Environments online. We would be happy to help you design your ideal picnic area!

A deck can accent your home and add value when done right. There’s a large variety of decks to select from and hiring a professional to assist with your ideas can help you achieve your goal. For Kansas City homeowners needing exterior remodeling services, consider Outdoor Environments where you will receive expert advice and assistance on the right deck for your backyard.

Decks in Kansas City range from platform to multi-level decks. At Outdoor Environments we can help you decide which one is best. For the simplest style consider a low to the ground, platform deck.

It’s built on leveled ground and doesn’t require railings. Pressure treat the wood and give coats of protective sealer to preserve the deck for many years to come. A freestanding deck isn’t connected to the house, requires little expense or work.

A raised deck is higher off the ground, needing railings and stairs for added safety. You can hide exposed posts with vines and plants. A two story deck allows you to enter your backyard from the second floor. A multi-level deck is connected through stairways and walkways and is ideal for uneven lots. Become creative on how to hide exposed posts with decorative boards and skirting.

Consider these options when choosing the right deck for you. Contact us if you’re looking for professional help.

Whether it’s the dirt it came with or polished granite, every outdoor space has a floor. Unfortunately, Mother Nature will wreak havoc on any material that is not up to the challenge of resisting the elements. For this reason a homeowner should carefully consider their needs when installing one. Here are some flooring suggestions:

Grass or Mulch – While nature provides, it does not always give the best results. Use grass in an area where it is well lit and watered and mulch in areas that will see a lot of foot traffic.

Crushed Stone – Another inexpensive option for much-used and well-traveled areas is crushed stone. It is easily applied and will last for years even in the worst weather.

Paver Options – Pavers are a very versatile option that can be used in a variety of places from wide-open, entertainment spaces to winding garden paths.

Brick & Stone – For a more finished look, consider brick or tile. They are available in a wide variety of shapes, styles and colors.

For more outdoor flooring options or if you need professional landscape help, please contact us at the Outside Environments. Reach us online at OutdoorEnvironments.com or call us directly at 913-897-2706.

A beautiful grass lawn can be a great addition to any home but it also requires an enormous amount of time and effort to maintain. Homeowners not wishing to make the effort can get the same aesthetic and functional benefits from a variety of other landscape options. Here are just a few examples:

Hardscapes – The use of stone and other non-organic but natural materials in places where a lawn cannot thrive will still create a beautiful look but not require the excessive attention needed by grass or plants.

Terraces – The use of stone or brick to level an uneven landscape will allow you to create more usable spaces that will also not require as much maintenance.

Ground Cover – For large spaces where grass will just not thrive, add of the hardy perennial, ground covers available. You will still have plenty of green, the occasional flower and no need to ever mow.

In short, a grass lawn is not the only option for a dramatic, functional and affordable front or back yard. For more, great exterior remodeling ideas in particular or landscaping in general, please visit us online at the OutdoorEnvironments.com or call us directly at 913-897-2706.

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One of the true joys of the summer is spending time in the backyard. Unfortunately, the weather conditions of late July and August bring excessive heat that can make sitting under the sun unbearable. Homeowners are always looking for alternative ways to block out the sun. Here are some helpful suggestions to give yourself some shade this summer:

The Pergola Look
One of the most popular structures used to block out the sun is a pergola. This look is better-suited to cover a patio or deck, which can be built as an added feature or as a freestanding structure. Homeowners love how the pergola perfectly extends the roofline of their home.

Retractable Awnings
The best inexpensive choice is retractable awnings, as they are very practical for areas where it rains often. The primary feature of retractable awnings is that they can be used at various angles during the course of a day to block out the sun.

Umbrellas
An umbrella is a very functional item that reduces the sunlight in your backyard. Additionally, they’re perfectly designed for year-round use, as a quality umbrella can provide protection on windy afternoons. Remember, the effectiveness of an umbrella is determined by its style and fabric material.

Contact us for more information about outdoor furniture that can help you beat the heat this summer.

Finding enough storage space for all of your things can prove to be quite the chore sometimes. Perhaps the best solution is to get creative with some storage solutions for your patios, decks, outdoor living rooms and kitchens. So here are a few ideas to get you thinking.

• Deck Space: The most obvious place, start storing things underneath your deck.
• Storage Bench: Why not make your seating double as storage for gardening supplies and toys?
• Mesh Bags: A must have for pool toys. The mesh helps them dry off and avoid mildew, putting it in a bag means that you can hang it from a wall too.
• Recycled Tires: It sounds a little odd, but stacking a few recycled tires together makes a great storage area for kids toys. Just paint the outside to match the play area.
• Milk Crates: These make an excellent storage place because not only are they stackable, but they’re easy to organize once the crates are all labelled.

Source: Outdoor Environments

With the summer in full swing, it is not unusual to consider exterior remodeling ideas to update the look of your home. You may even be wondering what you can use to increase the value of your home if you are thinking about moving elsewhere. Pavers can be exactly what you are looking for as they are both beautiful and extremely low-maintenance depending on your overall design.

Source: Houzz

Paver driveways generally cost more up front, but because of their construction, these driveways are also extremely low in maintenance. Because pavers are interlocking, they are naturally better performers in more extreme weather conditions. If one of the pavers cracks or breaks, they are equally easy to replace as compared to concrete or asphalt.

Pavers are placed in bedding sand similar to cobblestone or brick, but because of their interlocking design, they are extremely stable.

With a variety of shapes, colors, designs, and textures, you have a lot to choose from. As you think about exterior modeling ideas, do not forget that pavers are also great for creating intricate designs if that is your desire.

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When everyone has phones, computers, and console gaming systems it can be a bit difficult to get your kids to go outside and play during the summer. If you can create adventurous landscapes in your own yard, however, they’ll jump at the opportunity to use their imagination outside. Here are some little exterior remodeling ideas that can can help.

• Risky Business: Being able to assess risk and overcome challenges is a key part of childhood development. Usually this means choosing whether or not to climb a tree. So be sure to include some trees or small rock walls to give your kid a challenge to overcome without any serious risk.
• Pathway to Play: Having multiple play areas in your yard is important, but you should also try to make sure the paths connecting them are entertaining as well.
• Sticks and Stones: We try to keep our yards as neat and stick free as possible, but natural debris is what kids use to invent their own imaginative narratives. Try to construct a landscape that embraces nature and all it has to offer.

For more information about designing outdoor areas & living rooms, please visit our website or call us at 913-897-2706.

Source: Outdoor Environments

For Kansas City homeowners who are thinking about remodeling the exterior of their home may consider having a patio or deck built. Compare the maintenance that is required for each one, your needs, and the type of landscaping it will be built upon to determine which works best for you.

Patios require little maintenance depending on what they are made of. For concrete patios you will need to glaze it over a period of time as it can start cracking. Wooden decks will need to have periodic sealing and staining. Some floor planks may need replacing along with railings.

If you barbecue often and throw many parties you may consider having a patio where it can hold more weight. A grill can be driven into the patio whereas on a deck it’s best to use a portable grill. Landscaping is another important aspect to consider as patios tend work best on flat surfaces and decks can be built on hills as well as be raised higher for storage down below.

For patios in Kansas City or decks, contact Outdoor Environments where we can provide all the essentials of your outdoor needs.