Tag Archives: certified remodelers in Johnson County

Mix Hardscaping into Your Garden Design for More Visual Interest

If your garden needs to be refreshed,consider adding elements of hardscaping to create texture and visual interest. Garden transition, where each separate area of your yard has its own identity but there is a continuity that brings balance and flow to the entire space, is frequently used in outdoor design these days.

 

Design Style

Gone are the days when landscape was all straight lines and symmetrical flower beds. Now you see gently curved walkways, tiered terraces, serene ponds surrounded by comfortable seating, and creative use of yard art.

Mixing Materials 

Additional popular outdoor remodeling trends include using mixed materials. Create an interesting walk in a gentle zig-zag pattern. Fill the entire walkway with small earthy pea gravel. Let the gravel settle, then install flat river rock as stepping stones. Frame the entire walkway with short perennial plants or shrubs increasing size and height throughout  the remaining surrounding landscape.

Year Round Color 

Plan out your color in advance. There are many flowering perennials which bloom at different times throughout the year, so with a little planning it’s easy to have pockets of color no matter what the season. Then place planters full of flowering annuals throughout your entire yard during the warmer months for even more vibrant color.

Please contact Outdoor Environments for all your hardscape needs.

 

Create a Secret Enclave in Your Backyard for Privacy

A backyard is a great place to relax, but if you have close neighbors your backyard might feel a bit more like a public park than a private enclave. Don’t worry, there are a number of ways to make your backyard space more comfortable and even a bit more private.

Build a Retaining Wall
A retaining wall can be used to create separate areas within your garden, but it can also give your yard privacy from nearby neighbors and keep them out of view.  Retaining walls can be covered with low trees, shrubs and plants, so you can easily transform a less-than-ideal space into a secret garden where it feels like your nearest neighbors are miles away.

Add a Fire Pit
A fire pit can make spending time in your backyard in the autumn and winter months possible. It’s also a great way to gather with friends and family. Another benefit, at night, the light and the shadows from the fire pit make your yard feel like a secret space.

Source: Houzz

Visit OutdoorEnvironments, Inc. for more exterior remodeling ideas you can use to spruce up your home.

outdoor decks

Staircase Lighting is Vital to Safe Decks

outdoor decks

Source: Pinterest

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.

outdoor living spaces

Keep Enjoying the Outdoors: Tips for Adding a Fire Pit

outdoor living spaces

Source: DecorPad

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.

outdoor hardscaping Kansas City

Look at the Outdoor Hardscaping When Buying a Home

outdoor hardscaping Kansas City

Source: Pinterest

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.

outdoor dining area

Enjoy Comfortable Picnics in Your Own Backyard

outdoor dining area

Source: Pinterest

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!

outdoor-materials

Flooring for the Outdoors:Which Materials Work Best

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:

outdoor-materialsGrass 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.

outdoor-hardscrape

Hate to Mow? Smart Hardscaping Can Make a Beautiful Yard With Less Grass

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:

outdoor-hardscrapeHardscapes – 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.

outdoor living design

Give Yourself Some Shade This Summer

outdoor living design

Source: Pinterest

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.

rustic beams

Rustic Beams for the Room of Your Dreams

Image via Outdoor Environments Facebook

Image via Outdoor Environments Facebook

There is a special appeal found in old, rustic, rough-hewn beams, which were once only found in farmyard barns. They have personality that is missing from uniform sanded wood beams, and they add warmth and interest to any room.

Modern decor, whether indoors or out, an be easily enhanced with a few well-placed rustic beams, which offer a pleasant contrast to design style. Vaulted ceilings are excellent locations for reclaimed beams in a living room or an outdoor pavilion.

Don’t just consider ceilings for your rustic beams. Framing a doorway with antique wood will beautify any entryway and is simple to add to an already existing framework, which is a great way to liven up any doorway, wall, or gazebo with the pleasant ambiance of rustic beams.

At Outdoor Environments, we can help you add charm and architectural design to your interior or exterior renovation projects. Call us at 913-897-2706 to learn more.