Outdoor Environments Blog

Flagstone is such a versatile workhouse.  From garden paths to patios, flagstone is a material that can bring style and longevity to your outdoor projects.

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Flagstone is usually sold by the ton or the pound, with differing price tags depending on what type you choose even the budget savvy can find a nice style in their price range.

Here are some ideas on where to use flagstone in your outdoor spaces:

• Patios – Depending on what you are looking for you can fill in joints with gravel for a casual feel or if you are looking for something that will last through the years then you will want to mortar the joints.
• Seating areas – Stacking and mortaring flagstone can create a beautiful seating area.  Think the outside of your patio or even surrounding a flagstone fire pit.
• Steps – Flagstone is an excellent choice for adding steps into your garden.  Its natural look and feel keeps with the flow of your garden.
• Paths – Narrow or wide pathways look great in flagstone.  Your imagination is the only limit to building garden paths with this versatile stone.

Contact the outdoor living rooms and kitchens experts at Outdoor Environments for more great outdoor living ideas.

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While backyard pools and barbecue spaces offer great ways to enjoy the summer with family and friends, your exterior spaces can also yield a soothing and calming sanctuary if you take a little time to create one. Foremost on this list is a water feature that combines the cooling effects of running water, its soft gurgling sounds and the view of it is simply tranquil. We mean, of course, the highly regarded backyard pond.

For the most part, backyard ponds are remarkably easy to install and require a minimum of infrastructure to run. In most cases, a professional landscaping company can do all the work in one day. Afterwards, you will have created an excellent focal point for your garden, a place for birds to congregate and a naturally soothing place for yourself.

Downtime is as important as activities for a healthy and stable family life. Do not overlook this simple fact when considering plans for your backyard. For more information about outside spaces in general or outdoor living rooms and kitchens in particular, please visit our website or call us at 913-897-2706.

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If you want to bring a bit of a resort feel to your home, you need to look no further than your own yard. Consider these design ideas to turn your backyard into a a relaxing spot that can be a vacation spot in your own home.

Create a Comfortable Outdoor Sitting Room

Have Kansas City contractors create a roof over your deck or patio. Add comfortable outdoor furniture and the space becomes a welcoming outdoor sitting area. You can also add other amenities, such as water features or interesting lighting.

Bring the Kitchen Outdoors

Take advantage of warm seasons by cooking and eating outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are increasing in popularity as more homeowners understand how practical and enjoyable these can be. With cabinets, a mini refrigerator, a worktable and more, an outdoor kitchen is many steps above having a simple grill.

Stone or Stone Veneer Adds a Luxurious Touch

Natural stone or stone veneer brings rustic luxury. These materials may be used for outdoor kitchen backsplashes, patio walls or anywhere you want the ambiance natural stone can bring.

Add Style and Sustainability

You won’t give up style by using sustainable materials in your design. New eco-friendly pavers and other hardscape products look beautiful while offering a greener alternative to traditional concrete.

Contact us at Outdoor Environments by calling 913-897-2706.

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There is a special appeal found in old, rustic, rough-hewn beams, which were once only found in farmyard barns. They have personality that is missing from uniform sanded wood beams, and they add warmth and interest to any room.

Modern decor, whether indoors or out, an be easily enhanced with a few well-placed rustic beams, which offer a pleasant contrast to design style. Vaulted ceilings are excellent locations for reclaimed beams in a living room or an outdoor pavilion.

Don’t just consider ceilings for your rustic beams. Framing a doorway with antique wood will beautify any entryway and is simple to add to an already existing framework, which is a great way to liven up any doorway, wall, or gazebo with the pleasant ambiance of rustic beams.

At Outdoor Environments, we can help you add charm and architectural design to your interior or exterior renovation projects. Call us at 913-897-2706 to learn more.

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Summer barbecue season is on its way, and this means decks in Kansas City need to be prepared for the throngs of party guests. Deck Safety Month is nearly over, but if you have not checked your deck yet, now is the time. Here are common safety issues you may encounter during your investigation.

• Cracks: Cracks deeper than ¼ inch mean the board needs to be replaced. The crack will only grow worse as the deck is walked upon, and the board may eventually break.
• Rotting wood: Rotting wood is not always obvious. Look for soft, spongy spots in the wood.
• Loose Hardware: Bolts and screws can loosen over time, or may pull away from wood if the wood is rotting or the ground has shifted. Check all bolts and screws for tightness.
• Loose Railing: Rails should move very little. If they are easily jiggled, they need to be tightened or replaced.

Deck maintenance should be part of all your annual outdoor maintenance. We at Outdoor Environments can examine your deck for all safety issues. We can tell you how to take care of these and how to best prepare your deck for the season.

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More people are redesigning their patios to take advantage of the extended living space. A well-designed patio is the perfect place for hosting outdoor parties whenever weather permits. Here are a few exterior remodeling ideas to help you get started.

Update Your Furniture

Your outdoor furniture choices make a big difference in the comfort of your family and guests. Set flimsy plastic lawn furniture aside, and replace it with furniture that is more comfortable. Wicker chairs and sofas with cushions are a good choice. Create a sitting area with these options and complete it with a weather-resistant coffee table. Think in terms of bringing indoor comfort to your patio.

Enhance Your Outdoor Cooking Area

Enhance your grill or outdoor fire pit by adding a prep table nearby. This saves trips back and forth to the kitchen. You might also consider following the outdoor kitchen trend by adding a mini refrigerator and weatherproof cabinetry to hold cooking utensils and other items.

Improve Outdoor Lighting

When the sun sets in the Kansas City sky, the party is just getting started. Keep guests safe by adding lighting to outdoor pathways and stairs. Add a few ultra-modern colored LED lights for a chic effect.

Outdoor Environments can help turnover your patio into the perfect place for entertaining this summer.

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Creative outdoor lighting is one of the leading outdoor remodeling trends.  Universal design in lighting leads the way to your front door safely and makes your patio and outdoor eating area more pleasant at night.

Universal design refers to safe and easy accessibility to residential and commercial buildings for people of all physical abilities, including those with disabilities, children, and seniors. Good outdoor lighting helps people of all ages and abilities see clearly where they are walking and stay safe on a path at night.

Well designed outdoor lighting creates zones to help people determine borders at the edge of paths and stairs.  Swimming pools and other landscaped water elements should also be illuminated at night for safety.

Various styles of outdoor lighting can illuminate pathways, entries and parking areas while adding elegance to your home. A pathway lined with ground-level LED lights can show the way to your front entry, backyard deck or  your garden. Illuminate your raised deck area with colorful lights under the railing.

Lights mounted next to or under steps will make them easier to ascend and descend at night. Lights can also be added to the stairway bannister by your front or back door.

Outdoor Environments will work with you to create safe and elegant lighting for the exterior of your Kansas City home.

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As spring weather arrives in Kansas City, our thoughts head to spending time outdoors.  May is the perfect time to spruce up your outdoor areas and have them ready for the warmer weather of summer.

Here are some maintenance tips for your outdoor living rooms and kitchens:

• Stain Away – Protect the wood in your outdoor areas by washing them down thoroughly then re-staining them.
• Follow the Paths – Take a look at your garden paths and see what needs fixing.  Re-do edges to give them a clean look, fill in any gravel and fix or replace broken areas in your paths.
• Clean Out – Get into the garden shed and garage and get rid of any expired products and anything you don’t need anymore.
• Ready to Grill – Make sure your grill is clean and ready to go.  Give the cooking areas a good scrubbing.
• Mending Fences – Check over your fences and make sure there is no splintering, cracking, or holes.

If your yard needs a general spruce-up but you can’t find the time, contact the outdoor experts at Outdoor Environments.  Our services include deck and outdoor living maintenance. We can have your outdoor living rooms and kitchens ready for you to enjoy all summer.

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If you’re looking to improve the curb appeal of your home and impress your friends and neighbors then you can’t go wrong with creating beautiful outdoor landscapes with hardscaping. Here are a few ways we can help you improve your house’s curb appeal.

• Install a new walkway. The first thing visitors will see when they’re walking up to your house is the walkway. Rather than a slab of poured concrete, consider getting something with character, like a cobblestone or brick walkway.
• Get a new fire pit. The fire pit can add a tasteful centerpiece to any patio, and it offers you another option for barbecues.
• Add a courtyard. A courtyard acts as a beautiful frame for your garden or your patio.
• Design terraces to create levels for the plants in your yard.  The terraces are a great architectural addition and they give you more space for beautiful flowers and greenery.

Inspired to improve your curb appeal? Contact Outdoor Environments by calling us at 913-897-2706!

Outdoor living rooms and kitchens are becoming increasingly more popular among homeowners. If you decide that you want to build an outdoor kitchen to complement your outdoor living area, then be sure to plan it out first.

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There are a few things that you should consider during the planning stages of your outdoor kitchen. First of all, ask yourself what kind of food you will be preparing. Will you be cooking full meals for large parties? Or will it be simply to whip up small snacks or lunches for intimate social gatherings? The amount of people you plan to entertain is a factor as well.  If you like to throw large parties, you will need the kitchen space to match.  If you prefer inviting a few friends over for a quiet evening, a smaller kitchen can suffice.

You’ll also have to figure out where you’ll want to build your outdoor kitchen. A place that provides shade from the sun is a must, and a nice view is a welcome feature as well. Make sure the layout makes sense as well; you don’t want it to get in the way of foot traffic in your yard. You’ll want to plan on using materials that are not only aesthetically attractive, but that can withstand the outdoor elements and are also easy to maintain.

Begin planning an outdoor kitchen for your home by contacting us online at Outdoor Environments.  We would be happy to help you design your dream kitchen!