Tag Archives: Kansas City

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 Living Rooms and Kitchens Top Trend List for 2013

Being immersed in the dead of winter makes homeowners long for the days of sitting outdoors in the with a cold drink and a delicious meal fresh off the grill. A popular trend moving its way into 2013 is adding outdoor living rooms and kitchens to a backyard space. Planning that remodel to your home make take a few months, which is why now is the perfect time to prepare for the summer.

Add an Outdoor Living Room to your home!

Image via Outdoor Environments

Outdoor kitchens are the perfect addition to a backyard space because it allows the entertaining to occur outdoors. Clean-up and storage is made easy with smart design, allowing for less back and forth trips between the home’s kitchen and the outdoor area. Additionally, pests are kept at bay as homeowners do not need to keep opening their screen doors to go in and out of the house. The food is hot and fresh, and the cook can be a part of the backyard party.

Combine an outdoor kitchen with with an outdoor living space complete with couches, chairs and a fire pit for a backyard that will be the premier hosting spot of the neighborhood.  You can add awnings and fans in order to enjoy the room in all weather.

For help designing and building a gorgeous outdoor space before warm weather returns to Kansas City, contact Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Winterizing Your Wooden Deck

After going through the process of getting the wooden deck of your dreams, the last thing you want is harsh winter weather to leave it damaged.

The biggest enemy to your wooden deck is water. You’ll want to protect your Kansas City custom-built deck this winter from all the moisture blankets of snow and ice bring.

Water Resistance. Wood retains water. It’s just what it does. However, long exposure to water, like from a decent coverage of snow, will cause wood to warp, splinter, grow bacteria or fungus which can even eventually cause it to rot. As a part of your deck protection, thoroughly clean your deck. Freeing it from debris and dirt will help it dry quicker and more efficiently when it does air dry. Also, coat your deck with a water resistant sealant which will protect your wood from soaking in the moisture.

For more advice on how to winterize your beautiful Outdoor Environment deck, call us at 913-897-2706 or visit us at www.outdoorenvironments.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image via builddirect.com

The Steps to Remodeling

Image via Outdoor Storage

 

Remodeling can be exciting, but just like all wonderful things, you have to do your homework and brace yourself for the process that leads to your oasis.

Here are a few steps you can take to get yourself and your mind ready for your deck remodeling project:

  • Finances. Assess your finances to make sure you are financially ready to make changes to your home without causing strain on your living or your savings.
  • Have an idea of what work you want done. By looking through magazines and websites, get an idea of what you want your finished deck or patio to look like, then refer back to your finances and create your budget.
  • Allow time for your remodel. Perfection can’t be rushed, and when you add the possibilities of unforeseen problems to the mix, patience is a necessary factor. Just now, at the end of it all, your Outdoor Environments customized deck will totally be worth it.
  • Enjoy. Take a moment to realize you’re actually doing it. You’re finally actualizing your dream of building your own private deck or patio that’s built to your liking and your family’s usage. You did it!

To get the process of building your Kansas City deck started, contact us today.

Top 5 Tips on Keeping Your Deck Private: Part II

Continuing our previous post on Keeping Your Deck Private, these are other great easy and attainable suggestions on keeping your deck private and serene:

 

  • Plants.  Plants are the most beautiful, as well as the easiest way to add privacy to your deck or patio. We recommend decorating your deck with beautiful plants anyway, so why not use them as a source for additional privacy? Line the side that faces the most open spaces with tall, lush plants.
  • Canopy. In the summer times, you’ll appreciate this addition more than ever, but it can add much desired privacy all year around. Awnings, canopies and sails are offered in a multitude of styles, some even retractable.
  • Trees. Planting trees doesn’t just make you seem more caring of the environment, but it brings a sweet reminder of childhood, too. (The largest tree was always “base” in tag games.)  Trees aren’t just aesthetically and environmentally pleasing, but they create shade to keep you cool in the summer months as well as a barrier to keep away the nosy neighbors.
For the Kansas City deck or patio to enhance your home, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Overland Park. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.
All Images via Google Images

An Outdoor Thanksgiving: Giving Your Holidays A Natural Twist

Can you think of anything more lavish than a beautiful Thanksgiving feast outdoors on your beautiful custom deck or patio?

Neither can we.

With the attention and care you gave to building your perfect outdoor living space, why not use to it to impress your guests this holiday season?  Instead of being elbow to elbow indoors, pull out all the stops and serve up a delicious meal in your outdoor environment. A few things to keep in mind for your outdoors Thanksgiving:

Table. Accentuate the entire experience by avoiding paper and plastic ware. (After all, it IS Thanksgiving!) Surprise your guests with an elegantly set table.

Decor. Use your setting as inspiration. Pull natural foliage into your centerpiece. This will add a rustic contrast to the clean and refined table linens giving.  Don’t forget coloring books on the kid’s table!

Fire pit. An outdoor Thanksgiving means spending a big chunk of time outside in November. Keep warm by firing up your custom fire pit. Consider adding a space heater near the table as well. As a party favor, you can provide the gentlemen with scarves and ladies with shawls for extra warm.

 

Make the most out of your Kansas City deck or patio this November and celebrate the holiday outdoors!

 

 

Photo 1 Source: celebratingeverydaylife.com

Photo 2 Source: Pinterest

Photo 3:  potterybarn.com

 

 

Outdoor Living Room Furniture

We love the look and design of the Spain-based outdoor furniture company Kettal. One of the world’s leading outdoor patio furniture manufacturers, their outdoor living room furniture is very lightweight and sophisticated. Although their products are not sold in the Kansas City area, their designs are available to the American market through their store in Miami.

Kettal Outdoor Furniture

Kettal Outdoor Furniture

Kettal Outdoor Furniture

For on Kettal’s outdoor living furniture visit their website at Kettal.es.

Outdoor Environments is featured in Kansas City Homes and Gardens

Outdoor Environments’ own Dick DeVuyst was recently interviewed for the November issue of Kansas City Homes and Gardens’ article titled All Aglow. In it Dick talks about extending the outdoor living season well into fall by creating a fire element. Whether you decide to use a chiminea, outdoor fireplace, fire pit or outdoor kitchen a fire can help keep you warm on those cold Kansas City nights.

Dick tells KCH&G that “Fire and human beings are attracted to each other. It automatically gets people out of the house.” Let Outdoor Environments help you spend more time outdoors this holiday season by “adding the warm glow of a fire.”

For more information please give us a call at 913-897-2706.

Outdoor Environments

A special thank you to Veronica Toney with Kansas City Homes and Gardens.

Great Porches for Entertaining

We love creating outdoor spaces for our clients that can be multi-functional. Porches are great because they can be used for entertaining friends, relaxing after a long day at work, a place for the kids to cool off from summer’s heat… the list is endless. We recently found some great ideas for porches on the My Home Ideas site. Here are a few we like:

In this inside out style, a clever pass-through leads to an outdoor kitchen with all the necessities, including a sink, grill, and under counter storage. The barn doors allow the owners to close the area off completely when the weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor plans.

Screened porches are a great ways to bridge the gap between the indoors and outdoors.  They also extend the living area of the home to accommodate guests, as well as serve as an extra kitchen.

The indoor kitchen in this screened cabana includes a professional grade grill, draft beer dispenser, and a warming drawer. With indoor and outdoor seating, as well as the small pool and firepit, this porch is the ultimate place for entertaining all year long!

Check out My Home Ideas to see the rest of their favorite porches for entertaining. Find something inspirational? Let us know so we can help create the porch of your dreams!

Photo credit: Myhomeideas.com.

Why Choose Outdoor Environments

We love to create beautiful outdoor living spaces for our clients. Our work in the Kansas City area has won us awards, but the greatest achievement is seeing the smile on our clients’ faces. If you are looking to build a space that is unique to your needs and environment please give us a call at 913-897-2706.

• Annual recipient of NARI Awards for Design, Building and Contracting Excellence including
• 2-Time winner Contractor of the Year for Exterior Specialties
• 4-Time Winner of the prestigious National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) Award for home remodeling
• Judges for the Kansas City Home & Garden “Home of the Year” Award