Tag Archives: backyard design

Outdoor Decorating on a Dime

So you want to spruce up your outdoor space, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to do so. There are plenty of ways to add style, character and panache without breaking the bank. What do you think about these ideas?

  • Instead of buying an outdoor rug that will rip and get dirty, opt for painting. With the right stencils and bright colored paint, you can fool guests into thinking it’s a real rug!
  • Gather unused chairs and stools around the house and use them to position potted plants and flowers.
  • For porches, seasonal rooms and gazebos, use sheet fabrics and curtains to create a bit more privacy. Plus, they look fabulous on breezy summer days.
  • Are you bored with your potted plants and flowers? Buy a can or two of spray paint for less than $5 each and spray each pot a bright, happy shade.
  • Speaking of spray painting, take a look at small chairs, tables and other décor you keep outside. If any of it needs a face lift, it surely can be spray painting for a brand new look.
  • Don’t be afraid of thift shops and dollar stores. You can add color with fake fruits and silk flowers for just a few measly dollars!

What other cost-effective ways have you spruced up your outdoor space?

Image from Decor Pad

Save $500 on Your Outdoor Oasis

We hope you have enjoyed reading all about outdoor living trends and ideas on this blog. And now that spring is finally in full swing, there’s no excuse for you to get your backyard projects started. We’ve even got a little incentive for you!

Save $500 on your new outdoor area*

and

Complimentary design!

(minimum purchase of $15,000)

Click here to print coupon and present to Outdoor Environments. This offer is only good through April 29, 2011, so what are you waiting for? Make your backyard dreams come true!

Screened porches

Four season rooms

Backyard escapes

Outdoor kitchens

Outdoor living rooms

We also do decks, patios, gazebos, pergolas, fire pits, fireplaces, and more! As you can see, there are plenty of creative ways to bring your outdoor space to life. Don’t you deserve an amazing backyard retreat? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 for more information about this special. And don’t forget to visit our Facebook photo gallery to see tons of examples of our work. We look forward to hearing from you!

Shade arbor and outdoor space shown is by Outdoor Environments

The Psychology of Color in Landscapes

Last week we blogged about adding color and life to your outdoor space. Have you ever considered the moods that those colors evoke and what they might possibly say about you? The psychology of color is a fascinating concept. Here’s what James Hardie online has to say about the meaning of color and how it relates to your home and landscape:

  • Blue is the color of the sky, water and mountains. In the northeast part of the country, gray-blue shades are associated with weathered wood that’s reminiscent of Nantucket. Blue exteriors are calming, relaxing and fit in with any landscape.
  • Red on a home’s exterior is most commonly associated with nature’s flowers and fruits. Nature uses red in most cases as an accent, especially when seen in bright, clean shades. Deeper, grayer-toned reds are common in Midwestern farm areas and northern areas of the country and therefore have a very warm, friendly rural feeling. Reds are also associated with fall leaves and bark and work well in landscapes that experience all four seasons.
  • Yellow is strongly associated with sunshine. It also has strong links to flowers, especially in the spring. Traditional associations, such as energy and intellect, do not translate well when yellow is used on the exterior of a home. Yellow homes appear to be clean, fresh and happy houses.
  • Green in many parts of the country is strongly associated with nature, new growth, trees and shrubs. Greens that are more yellow-based will be associated with new growth and springtime. Deeper greens are linked to maturity, such as older plants or trees. Keep in mind when working in arid areas of the southwest that there are limited associations to this color in nature, so use it sparingly as an accent color, if at all.
  • White is generally associated with adjectives such as pure, clean, new and bright. These are all positive associations, but be careful of using too much white on your exterior because it can be very boring. If you really want a white house, make sure you use some other colors to add interest, personality and drama.

Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get your new deck, patio or seasonal room ready for spring!

Photo courtesy of House Beautiful‘s Outdoor Room Design Ideas Gallery

Add Life and Color to Your Outdoor Space

We can’t stress enough how important it is to start planning your home’s outdoor space for spring. Whether you’ve have (or plan to have) a deck, patio, porch, sunroom or another structure, making it look good is a key factor in actually enjoying it. Take these tips from Sensational Color about adding life to your backyard:

  1. Take a look around your backyard and make a note of the colors surrounding your home. The flowers, landscape, and even the color of your deck and other outdoor structures set a mood.
  2. Treat your outdoor space just as you would treat a room inside your home by coordinating colors. Fences, sunrooms, gazebos and decks all look their best when their styles are connected.
  3. Color is great, but limit yourself to a three-color palette to avoid a confusing theme.
  4. Always keep in mind the mood you want to set. Will the space be used for entertaining family and friends? Or will it be a space for child’s play? Whatever you do, your outdoor décor should relate to its use.

Want more tips about creating the perfect outdoor space? Click here! And don’t forget to call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get started building your outdoor oasis in the Kansas City area!

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments Facebook Gallery