Category Archives: Tips

Brighten Up Your Home This Winter With Outdoor Lighting

December 26, 2013
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Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, certified remodelers in Kansas City, custom decks in Kansas City, outdoor design, Outdoor Design Ideas, outdoor living space,

Include in your exterior remodeling ideas outdoor lighting, especially to brighten up the long winter months.

There are a variety of outdoor lighting styles from which to choose. Select ones that are energy efficient. Today’s technology provides low-voltage, high-tech LED bulbs, which use 80 percent less energy than standard bulbs. This makes the night lights functional and sustainable. (more…)

Design Your Landscape With Storm Water in Mind

December 17, 2013
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Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : certified remodelers in Kansas City, landscaping ideas, outdoor design, Outdoor Design Ideas, outdoor living space,

As you consider exterior remodeling ideas, do not forget to plan for storm water. Whether it is rain or melting snow, you can beautify your landscape in a myriad of ways that will not only protect your building, but use the water to its fullest. (more…)

Playing With Proportion in Your Hardscaping

December 11, 2013
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Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, certified remodelers in Kansas City, custom decks in Kansas City, decks in Kansas City, outdoor design Overland Park, Outdoor Environments, outdoor living space,

After completing a new construction, remodeling or addition home project, you can often be left with an unsightly yard in need of some much deserved attention. Deciding how to coordinate your hardscape with your landscape and tie them together with your new home can seem overwhelming. This is a perfect time to let the professionals assist you with their hardscaping services in Kansas City. (more…)

How to Balance a Deck With Hardscaping

November 28, 2013
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outdoor design ideas
Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, custom decks in Kansas City, decks in Kansas City, hardscraping in kansas city, outdoor living space,

Hardscaping — the paths, walkways and other paved areas of your landscaping design — can be a great place to start when you’re designing a deck. Here are some tips to ensure your deck and hardscaping work together. (more…)

How Pigments Affect a Deck Finish

November 25, 2013
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outdoor decks
Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, Custom Decks, custom decks in Kansas City, decks in Kansas City, outdoor living space,

Decks made of pressure-treated lumber or decay-resistant woods still need regular maintenance to prolong their life. Harsh weather and UV rays are an enemy to decks in Kansas City. You will need to clean and refinish your deck to keep it looking great. Finishes containing different amounts of pigment offer different levels of protection to your deck. (more…)

Ideas for Incorporating Hardscaping Into a Landscape Design

November 15, 2013
Posted By : admin
Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : custom decks in Kansas City, decks in Kansas City, hardscraping in kansas city, outdoor design Overland Park, outdoor living spaces,
outdoor design

Source: FlickrQ

Hardscaping is sometimes difficult to envision as part of a landscape, but with the right design it can look seamless.

Functional

Using hardscaping in locations which have steep inclines is a great way to make movement easier and beautify the otherwise difficult area. One idea is to add stone stairs which are extensively bordered by plants and brush.

Patios

A patio poses the perfect solution to an expanse of land where it is desirable to have seating, even an outdoor kitchen or entertainment center. The hardscaping can be made to incorporate the needs of the family while complementing the home’s colors and plants throughout.

Walkways

Adding a walkway to a yard is a wonderful way to add charm to a yard. Pathways can be lined with flower plants of many types to bring a personalized touch. Having a path which winds through a yard, perhaps circling a fountain, or leading to a seating area further away from the main building adds a ambiance that would otherwise be lacking.

Contact us at Outdoor Environments to learn how we can incorporate beautiful and functional hardscaping into your landscape.

Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner in Your Outdoor Kitchen

November 13, 2013
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outdoor kitchen design
Categories : Events and Happenings, Tips
Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, custom decks in Kansas City, outdoor kitchens in Kansas City, outdoor kitchens in Overland Park, outdoor living spaces,
outdoor kitchen design

Source: Flickr

The chill in the air is no reason to shy away from using your outdoor kitchen. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it provides you with an excellent opportunity to showcase the cooking skills you have perfected over the summer.

Second Cooking Area

If you have a large gathering planned, don’t hesitate to use your outdoor kitchen as a second cooking area. This is also a great solution for families living in warmer climates who dread the heat accumulation from the indoor oven.

Healthier Options

With an ever increasing desire to serve healthy foods, grilling has become a mainstay for cooking. Use your outdoor kitchen to provide tasty alternatives to the usual calorie dense and high fat Thanksgiving treats.

Gathering Spot

Entertain your company both before and after the big meal outdoors. Use your outdoor kitchen to whip up some delicious appetizers or bar friendly snacks to enjoy while everyone relaxes. The warmth from your cooking will serve as an added way to ward off the chill in the air, making sure to keep everyone comfortable.

Use your outdoor kitchen design to the greatest advantage, see our Facebook page for more ideas.

Stay in Touch With the Great Outdoors in Your Home

October 31, 2013
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outdoor design ideas
Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : custom decks in Kansas City, decks and patios Kansas City, Kansas City patios, outdoor living spaces, patio design ideas,
outdoor design ideas

Source: DecorPad

Just because the temperatures are beginning to drop on patios in Kansas City, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up enjoying the great outdoors. Bring a sense of the outdoors inside with these innovative ideas:

  • Keep the view outside your windows inviting by adding gardens and foliage that have an aesthetic appeal in any season. A well-placed privacy or retaining wall can shield you from neighbors or roadways without blocking natural lighting or landscaping.
  • Whether opened or closed, your patio doors can allow interior and exterior rooms to flow seamlessly. Pull back the shades to reveal similar flooring materials and design elements on your patio or deck. You will feel a part of the landscaping beyond without leaving the comfort of your home.
  • Adding a fireplace or fire pit to your covered patio or deck extends the time you can spend outdoors and offers a cozy nook for relaxing or entertaining.

You can still enjoy your outdoor living spaces and patios in Kansas City no matter the weather.  Contact Outdoor Environments, Inc. for more landscaping and hardscaping ideas that will help you stay in touch with the great outdoors.

Enjoy the Weather and Stay Comfortable Outside This Fall

October 11, 2013
Posted By : admin
Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, custom decks in Kansas City, decks in Kansas City, outdoor design, outdoor kitchens Kansas City, outdoor living, outdoor living spaces,

When cold weather arrives in Fall, many people pack up their outdoor furniture and don’t venture out again until Spring arrives. However, there are ways to enjoy the outdoors even during the colder seasons.

Add an Outdoor Fireplace

When it starts to get cold, sitting outside bundled in a sweater and jacket likely doesn’t sound too appealing. However, if you add an outdoor fireplace to your outside living area, you can make the space much more comfortable, even for prolonged outings. You’ll be surprised how much people love gathering by your outdoor fireplace, especially if it’s near a comfortable sofa and a cozy throw blanket or two.

Try Sheepskins

Sheepskins make great outdoor coverings for chairs and seating areas in the fall. Best of all, you can easily throw them over chairs and benches to keep your warm and comfortable, then pack them quickly take them inside for the night so they don’t get dirty. As an alternative to sheepskins, try using faux-fur blankets. They’re soft to the touch, warm and luxurious.

Contact Outdoor Environments for more information on outdoor living rooms and kitchens for your home.

Staircase Lighting is Vital to Safe Decks

September 19, 2013
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outdoor decks
Categories : Outdoor Design Ideas, Tips
Tags : certified remodelers in Johnson County, custom decks in Kansas City, outdoor design Kansas City, outdoor living space,
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.