Tag Archives: deck design

Use Multiple Levels in Your Deck Design to Maximize Space

outdoor deck design

Image via Pinterest

Building a deck as part of your exterior remodeling project is a great way to add beauty to your yard and living space to your home.   As a homeowner, you might think you need a lot of room for a deck, but if you’re short on space, don’t worry.  A deck with multiple levels might be the solution for you.

Some of the nicest decks in Kansas City feature multiple levels.  What makes this design so popular?  Multilevel decks create architectural and visual interest while maximizing your use of both the vertical and horizontal space in your yard.  This makes them a good choice for small or sloping lots.  If your house has two or more stories, a multilevel deck provides ready access to the outdoors from all levels of the home.

Multilevel decks offer other benefits as well. They help easily define spaces for specific purposes, like lounging or dining.  Finally, a deck with multiple levels can be strategically designed to take advantage of your backyard’s microclimates and daily patterns of sunlight and shade.

For more ideas on multilevel decks in Kansas City, contact Outdoor Environments at (913) 897-2706.

Decorate Your Deck for Thanksgiving

Now that Halloween is over, it’s time to put away the fake, fuzzy spiders and the webs made of cotton and pull out decor that is warm and welcoming for Thanksgiving.

Decorating your deck is, in our opinion, one of the most fun parts of having a customized deck. It’s a great activity that brings the family together, energizes the holiday spirit in all those involved, and brings a fun and festive liveliness to your home.

However, decorating can be tricky. So we’ve put together some great ideas for you to try out on your Kansas City deck this fall:

Wreaths. Create them yourself or by them store made, but wreaths incorporating colorful leaves or festive mini-pumpkins are a welcoming addition.

Potted Plants.  A year round favorite, potted plants instantly bring color to any deck.

Customized Pumpkins. Paint a welcoming message across a few pumpkins. Whether it’s your family name, house number or even just a plain “Welcome,” personalizing your home has never been easier.

Horn and Husks. A classic fall favorite. Create something artistic, display in a garland, or just bunch together a bunch of colorful corn tusks and their dried husks.

Cornucopia. A Thanksgiving classic, but instead of filling it with food, try filling it with festive flowers, leaves and dried berries instead.

 

Celebrate this beautiful season by decorating your custom built Kansas City deck today.

 

Tips for New and Existing Decks

If you haven’t spruced up your deck yet for the summer season, or even if you don’t have one – it’s not too late! Outdoor Environments is here to provide you with a plethora of tips and ideas to get your deck in order for the remainder of the season. Whether you’ve got a deck or not, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

For existing decks:

  • Make sure it’s still in good condition. Issues like damaged boards, loose fasteners and protruding nails may seem minor, but they can be very dangerous when ignored. Click here for our previous articles related to deck safety.
  • Consider a fresh coat of deck stain that’ll not only add life and color to your deck, but it’ll repel water, moisture damage, mildew and fading in high-traffic areas.
  • Add or swap out railings and/or decorative posts. These architectural details can work wonders for a deck and your entire outdoor living motif.

For new deck construction:

  • Top choices for materials include treated lumber (economical and usually comes with a good warranty against rot and decay) and treated wood (stands up against severe weather conditions).
  • For durable and eco-friendly decking materials, composite or PVC decking are other popular options. They look like authentic wood, but require much less maintenance. These materials don’t split, splinter, crack or mold.

For all your deck building and remodeling needs, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Information from LVRJ

Image from Pinterest

Here’s Why You Need an Outdoor Oasis

Let’s cut right to the chase: You need a deck. Or a patio. Why?

First of all, you deserve it. A deck, when designed correctly, is a peaceful oasis in which you can forget about all the stressful things that come with life. You work hard and you deserve to treat yourself.

Secondly, if you would like to sell your home (like millions of other Americans) a beautiful deck can be exactly what you need to finally seal the deal.

Let’s elaborate.

Since the economy hasn’t fully recovered quite yet, having a place to relax and get your mind off things is crucial to your mental health. That’s why having a backyard oasis complete with elements like a deck or patio, swimming pool, flower garden, spa and lots of greenery can serve as your very own personal retreat at home after a long day’s or week’s work. If you want privacy and sanctuary at home, these are all great ways to give yourself peace of mind.

Another sign of the shaky economy times is the abundance of homes for sale, but very few of them are actually selling. Too often, homeowners make the mistake of focusing on their home’s interior when they’re in the process of trying to sell their property. They fail to realize that investing in decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and an overall well-designed backyard can make or break a home sale.

This is especially true for those who live in neighborhoods or subdivisions where similar floor plans are pervade the immediate area. If two homes with the same floor plan go up for sale, the one with the outdoor living space will automatically get more points with potential buyers. And ultimately, it will sell faster. An outdoor space that’s put together creatively will gain the edge because they’re unique and they stand out among other homes on the selling block.

Are you convinced? If so, give Outdoor Environments a call for all your outdoor design needs at 913-897-2706 today!

Information adapted from The Statesman

Deck pictured is by Outdoor Environments

Do You Need a Deck Upgrade?

The peak season for your deck will be in full force in just a few weeks, if it’s not already. Why not make some deck upgrades that’ll get it ready for the peak season?

  1. First and foremost, your deck should be prepped, cleaned, washed, repaired and/or stained if necessary. Many times, just refreshing a deck is enough to make it look brand new again.
  2. Just because your deck takes up a lot of yard space doesn’t mean your gardening dreams are out the window. Use large containers and planters to grow flowers and even vegetables right on your deck!
  3. Need a major deck change? How about adding a gazebo, pergola or shade arbor?
  4. Gates and railings can be multipurpose. Not only can you sit planters and bird feeders on top of some gates and railings, but many of them also come with decorative and architectural features that make your deck even more beautiful.

For all your deck remodeling and upgrading needs in Kansas City and Overland Park, contact Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Information and image from BHG

Designing and Customizing a Deck

It’s important to know that when it comes to deck design and layout, the conventional rectangle shape is a thing of the past. Residential Design + Build reports that decks are not a “one size fits all” deal.

According to research,

… “homeowners can take up to two years from the time they think about their deck until the time they actually pull the trigger on a project. Consumers will do everything from Internet research, buying books about design, and visiting showrooms.

Deck design can begin with a simple rectangle, and by cutting back each corner at a 45-degree angle the deck begins to take on character. Add other shapes, spaces, color and levels and it becomes completely unrecognizable as what decks once were. The important step today, though, is making all these variables work together.”

It’s all about customization and making the deck work for the homeowner and their specific needs. Surprisingly, some consumers don’t want a barbecue area or an outdoor kitchen on their deck at all.

Experts say that those considering a deck should consider three main components:

  1. How it looks
  2. How it functions
  3. How much it costs

Also, homeowners seem to be very interested in adding other features to their decks. These features include:

Outdoor Environments builds and remodels decks in the Overland Park and Kansas City areas. Call us at 913-897-2706 to discuss your deck options today!

Image from RDB

Make Your Deck or Patio More Private

Spring is almost here and if you’re probably already be daydreaming about ways to start enjoying your deck or patio again. How about adding a few touches to make your outdoor space a bit more private and cozy? Check out these tips from Better Homes & Gardens:

Add a Touch of Fabric

Check out the wide variety of outdoor-friendly fabrics to create a perfect screen. Sheets of fabric sewn like curtains and hung from an old curtain rod or wire are quick and easy to put together. Plus, they’re inexpensive — so you can have a couple of different options to fit your mood.

Add the Sound of Water

Background noise from a busy street can be just as annoying as seeing your neighbor’s weedy back yard. Solve this kind of problem by adding a fountain or other water feature to your deck or patio. Even a gentle trickle of water can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your time outdoors!

Add a Great Wall

A privacy fence is one of the most common ways to block a view. Let a simple fence cap off the platform, providing a perfect, secluded retreat. A series of container gardens soften the deck or patio, making it even more inviting.

Incorporate a Tree

Instead of clearing the ground when you add a deck or patio, take advantage of what’s already there. An old apple tree isn’t just a great addition to the yard — it gives the space more privacy by creating a soft, natural canopy, too. Lush plantings around the edge of the deck or patio also help it feel softer and more secluded.

Need help making your patio or deck more personalized and private? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Want a Deck? Here’s A Few Thoughts to Ponder

If you have an eye on a new deck add-on for your home, now is the perfect time to start planning and brainstorming. Waiting too long can possibly delay your deck installation and before you know it, the cool fall weather will be here again. Don’t let time pass you by! Here are just a few general ideas to get you started with identifying your deck needs:

  • What will your deck be used for? The purpose of your deck, whether it be simple relaxation or lively entertainment, will weigh heavily on its placement and how it is designed.
  • Decide your style. There are many different ways to go here. You can choose to do something bold and unique, or design your deck much like an existing room inside your home.
  • Start thinking about deck features you might be interested in – furniture, tables, kitchen area, fire pit, etc.
  • What lies beneath? You may not be able to see wiring, drainage systems and gas lines, but they are there. So don’t be surprised if you deck can’t be placed in your desired location. Safety first!

Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get started with planning your deck in the Overland Park or Kansas City area.

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments’ Facebook Photo 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

Recently Completed Projects

Through our blog, Outdoor Environments hopes we serve up deck-design inspiration on many levels, whether you’re choosing accents for your deck (like the dreamy outdoor love seats we blogged about last week) or over-the-top features to warm up your space, like a Bocce ball court, meditation garden or canopied daybed.

But today we wanted to share some of our own residential projects, ones in which we’ve had the pleasure of fulfilling the dreams of our clients, which is one of our biggest inspirations.

Case in point: Take a look at the project below; for these homeowners we pulled out all the stops, from an open-air covered porch perched above a deck spa and bar, to a cozy outdoor fireplace, tile-surfaced deck and  outdoor grilling station. And that’s in addition to an enviable landscape that includes lush green lawns and open horizontal views.

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Stay tuned for more coverage of our projects in the upcoming weeks!