Tag Archives: backyard

Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

Color Talk

Go for color. Use bright color like melon, fuschia and lemon-yellow to pop against the green. The inclination to use green botanical prints in a garden setting is a natural one, but they will disappear when surrounded by shrubs and plantings.

Trash Talk

Don’t forget to place an attractive trash can nearby to prevent trash from piling up on the table. And make sure it starts out empty!

Sun Salutations

If your party is a daytime event, be sure to provide shade. You remember that we install gazebos, pergolas and shade arbors, don’t you? There’s nothing worse than watching your guests turn lobster-red before dessert.

Bug It

If you’re not averse to chemicals, spray your terrace or patio with insecticide before the party. For a green approach, plant marigolds around the patio, which are a natural bug deterrent. But for a more permanent approach, consider a screened porch or seasonal room.

Light a Fire

Invest in a fire pit and you won’t be able to make your guests go indoors. The mesmerizing effect of the fire works as well outdoors as in and can save your party from a chilly night.

Information and image from My Home Ideas

Growing Trend: Outdoor Kitchens

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

More Ideas to Beautify Your Backyard

Hopefully you read our post from earlier this week about the features you should be thinking about adding to your backyard this spring. Just in case you needed some more inspiration, we’ve rounded up five more ideas to take your outdoor living space from drab to fab!

Outdoor flooring is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Even with a deck or patio already installed, accenting it with concrete pavers, a brick walkway or other hardscapes products adds a nice touch to any backyard.

What backyard is complete without a grilling area? It may be a bit nippy outdoors, but a grill, open faced brick oven and a wet bar are all great ways to enhance outdoor entertaining once the weather warms up.

The right lighting can make or break your home’s outdoor living area. Be creative with walkway lighting, candles or customized landscape lanterns.

Finally, there are many ways to accessorize once you added all the right outdoor living elements and features. Have you thought about statues or sculptures? What about picket fencing or a booming sound system?

For assistance getting your outdoor living area up to par for spring, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments

5 Features Your Backyard Will Need This Spring

We know the weather outside is still frightful, but that’s no excuse for letting your home’s outdoor space go without a makeover for the New Year. There are plenty of ways to prepare your backyard for the warm weather that is only weeks away. So, what exactly do you need to get started? Here are a few product ideas that will turn your outdoor living space into a relaxing retreat.
BEFORE:
Single or multi-level decks added to the rear or side of your home can create an endless number of possibilities. Decks can be built using many types of wood, fiberglass, vinyl and even recycled materials like plastic.
A hearth is a heating option used for outdoor living spaces. Fireplaces (wood or gas) and firepits offer the warmth and coziness you need during the cold winter months, but they’re also perfect for cool nights during the spring, summer and fall.
Outdoor furniture is a must if you plan to truly enjoy your backyard area.  Create an lovely oasis with lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, a hammock and other comfortable furnishings.
Gazebos, sun-screened rooms, and awnings all provide wonderful shaded shelter for any time of the year. Be shielded from the scorching summer sun or protected from cold wind and rain.
No outdoor living area is complete without some type of water feature. A swimming pool is the obvious choice here. But you can always take it a step further with a spa, hot tub, Jacuzzi or even a pond with a waterfall.
AFTER:
Are you ready to get your outdoor living area ready for spring 2011? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Gardening Lingo 101

If you’re thinking about dipping your toe into the wonderful world of gardening in 2011, there are many things you need to learn before planting those first seeds. So here’s a short, sweet vocabulary lesson, courtesy of Garden Terms, for all the green thumb colloquialisms you’ve probably heard, but you’re not quite sure what they mean.
Flower garden

Photo Credit: Flickr.com/MattLuckins (Creative Commons)

Annuals: plants that produce seed, then die after just one life cycle or growing season.

Compost: a mixture of organic matter (vegetation or manure) that is (or has) decayed and is used for enriching soil’s health.

Edging: Bordering, separating or trimming sections of a lawn, often with concrete pavers or bricks, to create visual interest.

Fertilizer: liquid or granular plant food (organic or inorganic) used to improve soil, which then supports and increases plant growth.

Germinate: the act of seeds growing, budding or shooting above soil level.

Horticulture: the art or skill of gardening whether it be commercial (fruit, flowers and vegetables) or agriculture and farming.

Inorganic: chemical or fertilizer that did not come from a living or formerly living source.

Insecticide: chemical used to kill or deter insects around plants or people.

Mulch: leaves, straw or peat (all organic) used to cover soil, maintain its temperature and prevent moisture, freezing and weed growth.

Organic: fertilizers or chemicals created from a living or formerly live source.

Perennials: plants that grow repeatedly each season, usually for a few years in appropriate conditions.

Pesticide: a method used to deter or kill pests including insects, weeds, birds, mammals or fish.

Spring will be here before we know it. Contact Outdoor Environments today to discuss your backyard deck and patio options!

Extreme Deck Makeovers – Kansas City Homes & Gardens

What are the elements of a dreamy outdoor living space that are most important to you? For a pair of homeowners in Johnson County, it was designing a space that would not only accommodate their guests when entertaining, but also make it spacious and inviting enough to be enjoyed both from the deck outside their breakfast nook and from the ground on the the lush landscape of their sprawling backyard.

A Johnson County deck transformation, as featured in Kansas City Homes & Gardens

A Johnson County deck transformation, as featured in Kansas City Homes & Gardens

The resulting 1,700-square-foot transformation, as envisioned by Outdoor Environments, is a “cozy outdoor alcove with more than enough amenities,” according to an article in Kansas City Homes & Gardens. Those bells and whistles include an outdoor kitchen equipped with a grill, searing plates, refrigerator and beverage trough; a gas fire pit, wishing well, and four-season screened-in living area with radiant-heat tile flooring, flat-screen TV and floor-to-ceiling windows.

A four-season outdoor room, at the top of the homeowners' wish list

A four-season outdoor room, at the top of the homeowners' wish list

Like what you see? Check out more photos from this project in the KCH&G article called “The Place to Be“. We couldn’t agree with the title more!

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