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A lush, overflowing planter can soften the architectural lines of a deck or patio. Here are examples of lush planters from across the nation.

• Los Angeles. This avant-garde contemporary design by L.A.-based planter specialist Urban Nature incorporates flora suited for that climate.

Urban Nature image via plusmood.com

• New York. A variety of colors and textures play off of each other in this arrangment. This creator of this planter, by Sweet Dirt Designs, trained at the New York Botanical Garden.

Image via Sweet Dirt Designs

• Warm, Dry climates. This low-maintenance succulent planter was celebrated on Apartment Therapy. The container should have soil that is not too dense, and very little water is needed.

Image via Apartment Therapy

• St. Louis. This window-mounted planter, shown in Midwest Living Magazine, has European influence and provides greenery both above and below.

Image via Midwest Living

Considering a new or remodeled deck for this summer? It’s time to start weighing the pros and cons of various decking materials. The material you choose will determine how your deck is enjoyed, cleaned and maintained. Hardwood vs. manmade. Fiberglass vs. vinyl. There’s so many options to choose from! And they all have their benefits and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs and requirements. Here are some questions you should consider:

1. Will the deck be used by children and/or pets?
2. Do you hope to use your deck year-round, or just during the warmer months?
3. Is the deck best suited in the shade or in the sun?
4. Does it matter to you if the materials are recycled, sustainable or eco-friendly?
5. How much maintenance and upkeep are you willing to put in to keep the deck safe and looking fresh?

Even though these are good questions to ask, they don’t even scratch the surface of what all needs to be considered. What other questions do you think are important when deciding to have a deck built or remodeled?

Image from Outdoor Environment’s Facebook Photo Gallery

Happy New Year from Outdoor Environments!

It’s been a huge year for outdoor living. Gradually, homeowners are truly starting to treat their outdoor spaces with just as much care and concern about their indoor spaces!

In 2011, some of our blog posts became a hit with our readers. Which ones? Here’s our top 10 most read blog posts of the year!

1. Make your deck or patio more private
2. Decorating outdoors: Making the most of what you have
3. Privacy please
4. 6 Tips to cleaning your grill
5. The benefits of a four-season room by Outdoor Environments
6. Screened-in porches
7. Seasonal rooms 101
8. Great outdoor rooms: Three-season vs. four-season
9. Great outdoor entertaining ideas from CasaSugar
10. Consider a front yard deck

Check back with us in the New Year for brand new tips, trends and outdoor living ideas for 2012!

Image by Vincenzo Papa on GettyImages.com

One unique way to add surprise and true customization to your deck is to add a spa or hot tub. With the right privacy elements in place, an outdoor spa on your deck can be the ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Why pay over $100 to visit a swanky spa when you can visit one in your backyard every single day for free? Below are some examples of spa decks designed and constructed by Outdoor Environments.

Hot tubs can be custom built into many different shapes and designs, depending on your existing deck.

Structural elements and landscaping features like fences and/or tall trees will help you to feel more comfortable and free in your secluded outdoor space.

To speak with us about building a spa or hot tub for your deck, call Outdoor Environments in Kansas at 913-897-2706.

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

Did you know that there are three ways to stay abreast of news, updates and blog posts from Outdoor Environments?

1. Subscribe to our blog and get posts sent straight to your inbox! You’ll be alerted as soon as we post new content about outdoor patio/deck living, trends and so much more! You’ll find the subscription box located on the right side of our blog’s homepage.

Simply enter your e-mail address to register. A subscription e-mail confirmation will be sent directly to you. After activating your subscription, you’ll get blog posts sent to you as soon as they’re published!

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Facebook/Twitter logo on homepage courtesy of Business Week.