Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

12 Oct

5 Tips to Design the Rustic Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams

The rustic style is rugged and nature-inspired with earthy colors and organic warmth, and designing your outdoor kitchen with a rustic feel is the perfect way to capture this popular look. With sturdy materials and age-worn finishes, your rustic outdoor kitchen will be perfect for entertaining or relaxing, making your outdoor living space feel welcoming and unpretentious. Have you been dreaming of a rustic outdoor kitchen to entertain friends and family? Make your dream a reality with these design tips! Share on X

Designing a Rustic Outdoor Kitchen

Folks in Texas (and all around the country) love the rustic look. Here are five excellent tips for when you are ready to design your own rustic outdoor kitchen.

Rustic Decor
Recycled Materials
Outdoor Dining Area
Fabulous Fire Pit
Custom Kitchen Features

1) Rustic Decor

For an instant rustic look, be sure to decorate your outside area in rustic decor. From unfinished wooden tables to faded aluminum decorative signs, there are numerous ways to add a rustic touch to your backyard and outdoor kitchen area.

2) Recycled Materials

What is more rustic than something that’s been recycled? Using recycled wood, aluminum, and other materials can instantly give your area a rustic feel. Search from some rustic-styled or recycled planters to plant some fresh herbs or veggies.

3) Outdoor Dining Area

Every outdoor kitchen needs a dining area and what better what to give your backyard a rustic feel than with an unfinished wood table and chair set sitting beneath a natural wood pergola or arbor? Don’t spend a fortune on your dining area. It’s easy to find rustic, mismatched chairs and an old table at a thrift shop or garage sale.

4) Fabulous Fire Pit

Adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to your outdoor space is another great design idea for your rustic outdoor kitchen. After a night of grilling or cooking up a pizza in your wood-burning pizza oven (you can’t get much more rustic than that), everyone can huddle around the fire, telling stories and cooking up some s’mores.

5) Custom Kitchen Features

The best thing about designing a rustic outdoor kitchen is the ability to work with an outdoor design professional to create your own custom outdoor space. Whether you want a covered outdoor dining area, a stainless steel grill in your kitchen space, stone countertops, or to use reclaimed wood in your design, a professional can help you get the rustic look you are dreaming of.

Pro Tip: Adding custom features to your outdoor kitchen creates a space that’s personalized to your wants and needs.

Rustic Outdoor Kitchen Design

With the right materials, countertops, woodwork, and decor, you can design the rustic outdoor kitchen of your dreams. Share on X Remember to contact a professional to discuss your rustic kitchen ideas and get started on creating the outdoor kitchen and living space you’ve been wanting for so long.

Contact us to learn more tips for designing the rustic outdoor kitchen of your dreams.

05 Oct

Patio Problems: When to Repair and When to Renovate

Is your patio old and outdated? Is your paver patio cracked, leaving it uneven and causing a tripping hazard for your friends and family? Or is your wooden patio warped and aged and giving people splinters when they walk barefoot? Just like everything else in your home, your patio needs maintenance and upkeep. You might be asking: Can these patio problems be fixed by a simple repair, or do I need to renovate?

How Big is Your Patio Problem?

To determine whether your patio issue can get by with a repair or if you need to take the plunge and just get it renovated, you must first assess the different types of patio problems to determine what you are experiencing. Here are five common patio problems so you can better determine what the best plan of action is for you.

Different Types of Patios & Their Problems

Trying to determine whether to repair or renovate your patio problem? Here are four common patio issues and information to help you make the best decision. Share on X

Failing Flagstone
Shifting Patio Pavers
Cracked Concrete
Warped Wooden Decking

1) Failing Flagstone

Flagstone is a popular choice for patios because of its natural look and earthy, timeless appearance. Unfortunately, flagstone is subject to erosion, and without proper installation, you might run into drainage problems, as well as splitting. To determine whether your flagstone simply needs little repair work or if it’s time to renovate, contact a local landscape professional to discuss your options.

2) Shifting Patio Pavers

Paver and brick patios look terrific, but after some time, the pavers settle, leaving dips and uneven areas, and even create tripping hazards. In order to repair this patio problem, you need to remove the old bricks so you can re-establish a firm base. This can be a tedious and time-consuming endeavor. Consider hiring a professional to complete this job–whether you opt for a repair, or to do a full patio renovation.

3) Cracked Concrete

Concrete patios can create a number of patio issues. After time, the concrete can end up with cracks, holes, and pitting. When this occurs, you have the option of filling the cracks or completely resurfacing it. Another option is to install something completely different on top of the cracked and aging cement, like interlocking tiles to prevent further cracking in the future.

4) Warped Wooden Deck

According to statistics, there are over 40 million wooden decks in the United States that are over 20 years old. The typical life expectancy of a wooden deck or patio is approximately 15 years. If yours falls around this age, it is a good time to have your patio renovated to prevent rotting beams and other issues that revolve around aging wood.

Patio Repairs & Renovations

Whether you decide to repair or renovate your patio, it is always best to talk to a professional first. If you decide on a renovation, you should also consider upgrading your outdoor space by adding a patio cover, or even an outdoor kitchen. You can never go wrong with making upgrades to your outdoor living space!

Contact us to learn more about whether your patio problems can be resolved through repairs, or if you need a renovation.

28 Sep

5 Improvements That Will Make Your Home Feel Huge

Do you feel claustrophobic in your home? Are you unable to move to a larger home or are you just looking for ideas to create more space? If your home is on the small side, it doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make it feel a lot larger than it really is. Does your home feel small? Pick 1 of these 5 renovations for a huge home feel. Share on X

Make Your Home Feel Huge

There are several ways to add space to your home without breaking the bank. Follow these five tips to help create more space and make your home feel bigger and better.

All About Light
Marvelous Mirrors
Color Contrast
Clean the Clutter
Seamless Transition

1) All About Light

Light can make all the difference when it comes to making a room feel larger. A dark and closed off space will feel tiny, but by letting natural light in, you can instantly make your space feel larger. Clean and open your windows to let in the beautiful sun, allowing the eyes to travel beyond the boundaries of your home to the outdoors.

2) Marvelous Mirrors

Mirrors are the perfect way to enlarge your space by not only brightens the room but also create an illusion of more space and a bigger room. Try swapping out some wall art for mirrors to keep your space bright and light.

3) Color Contrast

The colors you use on your floors and walls can make all the difference in making your small space feel larger. Opt for lighter colored paint for the walls, but avoid stark, bright white. Choose light, bright colors to make a room feel airy and open. For flooring, choose a darker color to contrast and make your walls seem taller, giving your entire room the illusion of more space.

4) Clean the Clutter

Clutter can instantly make a room feel meager. Go through your things and get rid of anything that isn’t being used. If you haven’t used it in the past year, you most likely won’t need it, so throw it away or donate it to someone who will use it! Start with one room and make your way through the whole house.

5) Seamless Transition

A home with a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor living area is the hottest trend, and it helps make your space feel much larger than it really is. By bringing indoor functions outside (with a covered patio or pergola, for example) your outdoor space feels like an extension of your home. Connecting your outdoor space with the inside gives you more places to do work, entertain, or just relax after a long day, and can add significant size to your living space.

Home Improvements to Maximize Space

Your small space doesn’t have to cramp your style. By following the above renovation tips, you can make your home look and feel a lot larger than it really is.

Contact us to learn more about what home renovations can help your home feel huge, or view our gallery for outdoor inspiration.

21 Sep

6 Creative Design Ideas For Your Backyard Renovation

Summer is settling down and the weather is a little more bearable making it the perfect time to spend it relaxing (or entertaining) friends and family in your backyard. Or, if you have been neglecting your outdoor space, this fall season is ideal for getting creative with a backyard renovation. There are so many ways to update your boring backyard to make it more inviting at your next get-together or to just create a serene place to relax after those long days at work.

Creative Backyard Renovation Ideas

Your backyard is an important part of your home and it should not be neglected. With the right upgrades and upkeep, your outdoor space can greatly boost the overall value of your home. Here are six ways to elevate your backyard and make it a place everyone will want to spend time in.

Mood Lighting
Add a Spark
Luscious Landscaping
Themed Inspiration
Get Cooking–Outside
Outdoor Dining

1) Mood Lighting

Create the perfect ambiance in your backyard with mood lighting. Whether you place solar lights around your landscaping to highlight walkways and pretty plants, or you hang lights from your pergola or arbor, you will create the right mood for relaxing or entertaining al fresco with friends and family.

2) Add a Spark

Adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to your outdoor space is another terrific way to add value to your home and create a cozy place for your loved ones to gather around at the end of the day to chat, make smores, and create memories.

3) Luscious Landscaping

The easiest way to renovate your backyard is to add some landscaping! Having a yard with only a lawn to upkeep and mow each week looks plain and bland. Consider your climate first to decide which plants will grow with ease in your area. Share on X Add character by incorporating flowering shrubs, vining plants, and container gardens to your outdoor space.

4) Themed Inspiration

Another creative design idea for a backyard renovation is to choose a theme for your space. Your options are endless! Some popular themes are tropical, Tuscan, English garden, desert, or beach-house to name a few. Again–get creative and see what themed inspiration you come up with!

5) Get Cooking–Outside

An instant way to renovate your backyard space is to add an outdoor kitchen! An outdoor kitchen can be the new focal point of your yard and allow you more ways to spend time outside. There are so many design options for your new outdoor kitchen and you can custom tailor them to the look or theme you want.

6) Outdoor Dining

Even if you aren’t able to get an outdoor kitchen at this time, creating an outdoor dining space is another easy way to renovate your backyard. Dining areas are the new must-have for any backyard. Make sure to have comfy chairs for all your guests who will be begging to come over and hang out in your newly renovated outdoor space.

Renovating Your Outdoor Living Space

One thing is for sure, renovating your outdoor living space not only boosts your home value, but it will get you and your loved ones spending more time outside. By implementing some of the above design ideas, your backyard renovation will be done in no time and you will be enjoying time together eating by the fire pit.

Contact us to learn more creative design ideas for your backyard renovation.

14 Sep

7 Pool Party Games to Liven Your Next Backyard BBQ

It’s the end of summer and the weather is perfect for a backyard barbecue and spending time with friends and loved ones. Instead of just sitting around and watching the kiddos play in the pool at your next backyard barbecue, why not get everyone involved in some super fun pool party games?

Pool Party Games to Play

Why let the kids have all the fun? Grown-ups love games and challenges, too! There are endless ideas for pool party games at your next backyard barbecue--just get creative! Share on X If you can’t seem to come up with any, here are seven simple pool party games that are easy and will guarantee that everyone has a great time!

Empty Bottle Bowling
Tug of War
Pool Sports
Pool Noodle Relay
Scavenger Hunt
Chicken Fight
Outdoor Movie

1) Empty Bottle Bowling

This game is for those who don’t want to get wet, but still want in on the fun. After you have collected some empty soda or beer cans, set them up at the end of a walkway and have a game of bowling! Use a ball (or get creative and use various fruit) to knock down all the bowling pins. Take turns and keep score to see who knocks the most down!

2) Tug of War

Everyone loves an old-fashioned game of tug of war–and only the losers get wet! Stretch a long rope across the deep end of the pool. Divide your group in half and position each team on an end of the rope. Each team will pull until the stronger team is the only one standing dry on land.

3) Pool Sports

There are numerous, inexpensive and inflatable sports products for your pool on the market these days. Purchase an inflatable volleyball or basketball set and create some fun pool party games using them! Play a game of HORSE with the basketball set, or plan a mini volleyball tournament at your next backyard barbecue.

4) Pool Noodle Relay

Swimming races can be fun, especially if you use a pool noodle! Use a pool noodle under your arms or between your legs to float while swimming to the other side of the pool to add a challenge! For even more pool party fun, turn the race into a relay between teams!

5) Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a perfect way to ensure tons of fun at your next backyard barbecue and pool party! Hide various items throughout the yard, the pool house (and in the pool, too) and whoever locates the most items, wins!

6) Chicken Fight

Nothing beats an old-fashioned chicken fight! One person gets on another person’s shoulders (little ones love being up there), then proceeds to try to knock down the opposing team.

7) Outdoor Movie

It isn’t a game, but another great idea for your backyard barbecue is to set up an outdoor movie theatre. Your friends and family will love to watch a flick while floating in the pool or relaxing around the fire pit. Hang a large, white sheet to project the film, or roll out your big screen T.V. and let people enjoy a movie by moonlight.

Swimming Pool Games for Your Next BBQ

Everyone loves a backyard barbecue, but make it even more memorable by adding one or more of these fun pool party games that everyone of all ages will enjoy! Don’t just sit around talking and let the kids have all the fun–get everybody involved for the most unforgettable pool party yet.

Contact us to learn more fun pool party games to liven up your next backyard barbecue.

Previous page 1 … 22 23 24 25 26 … 39 Next page

Author Archives: Sam Hickey