Tag Archives: Outdoor Environments

Upgrading Your Patio – Part I

Each year it’s a good idea to add upgrades to your patio or at least make some type of change to give it a new look. Not sure how? Here are a few ways you can upgrade your deck with style:

Furniture – No patio is complete without furniture to lounge on. Many beautiful sets are sold ready-to-assemble and are probably more affordable than you may think.

Clay pavers – These are super durable and their color rarely fades. Just make sure your foundation is as flat as possible before laying clay pavers. An uneven or bumpy foundation and ruin the look of your patio and can even pose safety risks.

Concrete pavers – Ditch the poured concrete and go with something a bit more trendy. Choose from tons of different colors, shapes and sizes to lay your patio’s foundation. Pavers are also easier to replace or repair compared to a concrete slab.

Heat – During times of the year when temperatures dip, and on cool nights, patio heaters are a welcome accessory. Click here to read more about heating your patio.

Natural stone – For a more random design pattern, natural flagstone is perfect. Be aware that laying natural stone will take more work and time than most other types of hardscapes.

If you’re in the Overland Park/Kansas City area, don’t forget to call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 for more information about how we can help upgrade your patio.

Photo via Outdoor Environments Facebook Gallery

3 Ways to Add Privacy to Your Patio

A backyard patio is a great addition to your home if you enjoy relaxing (when weather permits) and entertaining just outside your back door. But you may want your space to feel a bit more private than it actually is. There are plenty of ways to add a touch of privacy to your patio. Here are just a few:

Walls – If you want to separate your space from the view of your neighbors, a patio wall would be an excellent option. Permanent walls require more work to install and may make your patio feel cramped while removable walls are temporary barriers that can collapse for storage.

Fencing – For a less restricted place, fencing as a more charming feel to your patio area. Add more visual interest by allowing plants and vines to grow up the face of the fence. Bamboo fences are perfect for this.

Plants – For an incognito way to shield your patio from the view of others, use flowers! Large, colorful planters and tall planted trees will appear more like decoration than a wall of armor.

For more ideas on how to make your Kansas City area patio more exclusive, call Outdoor Environments 913-491-0900 today!

8 Steps to a Clean Deck

Are you thinking about getting your deck ready for spring yet? If not, then you should be! Your deck has probably taken quite a beating from all the harsh winter weather we’ve experienced over the past few weeks. But knowing how to properly clean your deck will make it look brand new in no time. Not sure what to do? Here are some easy tips from This Old House:

Many people assume that power washers are the way to go when it comes to deck cleaning. But they’re actually too powerful and can damage your deck’s wood fiber. Go with a pump sprayer instead.
Use a biodegradable wood cleaner. These are commonly used not only for decks for fences as well.
Mix an equal amount of water with the wood cleaner. (1 to 1 ratio)
Spray the deck with cool, clean water before applying the cleaner to the deck.
Apply the wood cleaner to the entire deck, spraying evenly across the surface.
Wait about 10 minutes.
Scrub the deck surface with an industrial broom. You’ll see the dirt, grime, and algae begin to surface.
Hose off the deck.

Do you need work done on your deck for before the lovely spring weather arrives? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

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!

Think Ahead to Spring

Does the winter blues have you day dreaming about warmer weather? If so we have the perfect cure for you. No, not a trip to the Caribbean, a look at some beautiful outdoor living spaces courtesy of Adore Magazine. Adore Magazine is an Australian shelter magazine, its spring their now, and their latest issue is all about outdoor living.

Get inspired for spring with a peak inside some of the pages of Adore Magazine.

Courtesy of Adore Magazine

This holiday season give the gift the whole family can enjoy, a beautiful outdoor living space complete with a fireplace and outdoor kitchen. Give Outdoor Environments a call today at 913.897.2706 to schedule an appointment.

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

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

Construction of a Four-Season Room

We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of building a four-season room, especially so you can enjoy the outdoors during the cooler winter months. Today we wanted to show you the work that goes into building a four-season room– Outdoor Environments’ style.