Tag Archives: patio living

Worthy Backyard Patios

Why go through the trouble of investing in a second property or vacation home when you can create your very own patio retreat in your backyard? And have you seen gas prices lately? It’s just another reason for you to invest in a backyard renovation now so that you won’t have to worry about always leaving home to have a good time. Backyard patios can be enhanced with:

  • Swimming pools
  • Outdoor kitchens
  • Landscaping, natural stone and masonry features
  • Patio furniture

Speaking of patio furniture, manufacturers are enhancing features to make outdoor relaxing more comfortable. This includes swivels, sofas, love seats and gliding chairs with deeper seats and extra-oversized lounge chairs that encourage curling up barefoot.

A well-designed patio serves as an extensive of the home’s interior. It’s also perfect for this time of year when you may not want to stay indoors, but you also don’t want to leave home. You can have a backyard retreat that feels like an escape without ever leaving home!

Outdoor Environments in Kansas City can help you to achieve the perfect patio. Call us at 913-897-2706 to discuss your outdoor living options today!

Patio shown was designed by Outdoor Environments

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

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

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!

Adding Color to your Outdoor Environment

We love the photo collage Shelter Pop has created to add some extra pop to your outdoor living space. The hanging flower pots and lanterns are my favorite items.

For more on products that make dining outdoors more enjoyable visit Shelterpop.com.

Photo by Shelterpop

Photo by Shelterpop

Photo by Shelterpop