Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

19 Jun

Is Your Backyard Paradise Missing These 4 Elements?

Your newly refurbished backyard may have all the room for parties and relaxation that you want, but something’s not quite finished yet. Anyone can renovate the yard. But why not make your backyard party space unique to you? Don’t settle for a simple renovation.

Does your backyard paradise need a few finishing touches to make it personal? Find inspiration for outdoor decor here! #Creekstone #backyarddesign #outdoorlife Share on X

Personalized Accessories

Brand-new appliances and shaded spots certainly add a lot to your backyard, but they can also feel a bit “standard” on their own. Every homeowner decorates their house’s interior with personal artwork and furniture–why not give the exterior the same treatment? Try personalizing your backyard with one of these ideas:

Entertainment
Outdoor pillows
Fire pit
Decorative lighting

1) Entertainment

What’s more fun than a movie night under the patio on a beautiful night? A patio cover with large enough walls provides the perfect spot to mount a large TV or even a projector screen. Build an outdoor home theater to host movie nights in your own backyard!

2) Outdoor Pillows

If you’ll be spending a fair amount of time outside, you’ll likely want to include weatherproof furniture. But many weatherproof materials aren’t exactly comfortable to sit on. Outdoor-safe pillows, however, can fix that! Add a splash of color and comfort to your backyard furniture.

Pro Tip: Cushions made of outdoor-safe material require different care than indoor pillows. Make sure not to damage them when you clean outside.

3) Fire Pit

Anyone who loves cooking over open flames will love having a fire pit in the newly renovated backyard! Aside from its functional purpose, fire features add an exotic atmosphere to your backyard space and keep parties going well into the night. Some homeowners even add fireproof glass fragments known as diamond nuggets to give the flames a magical effect. Customize your fire pit to complement your new private party space!

4) Decorative Lighting

Finally, as nice as a fire pit is, it can’t provide as much light as some late-night parties will need. That’s where other types of outdoor lighting come in. Stake lights situated along the sidewalks will show your guests where to walk, for instance. Lanterns provide a soft, ambient light for a relaxing atmosphere. And brighter lights mounted under the patio cover let you keep working in your outdoor kitchen. Just like any feature, you can customize your lighting choices to your heart’s content.

Customize Your Outdoor Space

A brand new outdoor kitchen and dining room can do wonders to add appeal to your backyard. But why stop there? Add your own touch to make the space truly your own! Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of an awesome, personalized backyard.

Connect with us to see how some of our clients decorated their completed backyard paradises.

12 Jun

4 Patio Designs to Complement Your Home

You’ve decided to install a patio space or update your old one. Now comes the next question: which style is best? Some will mesh nicely with your home and last for years to come, while other styles are simply less visually appealing or durable. How can you choose the right design and construction materials for your new patio?

Is it time to add a patio to your backyard? Which style will look the best and last the longest? Check out a few different options here. #Creekstone #backyardliving #backyarddesign Share on X

Common Patio Styles

Your home design and overall backyard aesthetic will influence which construction materials you choose for your patio cover. However, you must also consider durability. Will your new patio stand the test of time? How often will it require repairs? Take the time to research each of these popular styles:

Wood
Pavers
Flagstone
Concrete

1) Wood

Wood is a classical deck building material that perfectly complements a rustic-style backyard. A well-built wooden deck can last for about 15 years without needing extensive reworking. And nothing beats the natural colors of solid wood!

2) Pavers

Bricks or flat stones called pavers are laid flat and lined up with each other to create a paver patio. This design has endless potential for creativity. Differently colored stones, differently shaped stones, and custom layout patterns all contribute to a patio deck that is uniquely yours. Just make sure the stones have a sturdy, flat surface to lay on so your patio will last for years without issue.

3) Flagstone

Flagstone patios are similar to pavers in a way, but their design is slightly different. A flagstone pattern is designed to allow water to trickle through and out of the design, rather than simply running off like it would on other materials. Because of its durability and its lovely earth tones that seem to complement any backyard, flagstone is a popular choice for patio materials.

Pro Tip: Flagstone patios use concrete to hold the stones in place, while paver patios only press the stones together without any binding agent.

4) Concrete

Perhaps the most straightforward patio design, a concrete patio involves just pouring and setting a slab of concrete in your backyard. This design isn’t quite as ideal as it may sound. While the installation process doesn’t require a huge amount of time or effort, a solid slab of concrete is somewhat brittle compared to other patio designs and can crack or split with time. You may need to replace or significantly renovate a concrete patio in a few years.

Designing Your New Patio

Choosing the right style and construction materials are crucial steps toward creating your new outdoor space. Your patio should complement your home and be durable enough to last for years without significant repairs. Find your favorite style and start enjoying your new patio!

Connect with us for a preview of what your newly built patio could look like.

05 Jun

3 Options for Creating a Shaded Backyard Hangout Spot

Houston summers present homeowners with a dilemma. On the one hand, there are ample chances to catch some sun and enjoy clear skies. On the other hand, the famous Houston heat can make spending too long outdoors unbearable. What’s the best solution? Plenty of homeowners are choosing to add shaded outdoor spaces to their backyards, allowing them to enjoy fresh air without getting sunburned. Let’s take a look at a few possible ideas for backyard shade!

Do you miss spending time outdoors before Houston’s infamous summer heat kicked in? Why not try a shaded hangout spot in your backyard? Find a few ideas here! #Creekstone #backyardliving Share on X

A Comfortable Outdoor Living Space

Even during the hottest part of Houston summers, adequate sun protection goes a long way toward providing comfort outside. Why not block the sun with a custom patio cover or pergola? Not only will you have immediate sun protection, but your new shade structure will provide a sheltered area all year round for future gatherings! Check out these common backyard shade ideas:

Patio covers
Pergolas
Arbors

1) Patio Covers

If you already have a patio or are planning to add one soon, your best choice might be a patio cover. These shade structures match your house and can even be attached to the house if you so choose. They provide excellent shade and essentially give you an outdoor living room or dining area with open walls.

Pro Tip: A patio cover is the perfect finishing touch to an outdoor kitchen! Cook and host outdoors whenever you want, rain or shine.

2) Pergolas

Pergolas are large shaded structures similar to a patio cover at first glance. However, their design is rather different. Instead of solid pillars and a shingled roof, pergolas boast a more cagelike appearance, designed to support climbing plants. Pergolas also don’t have solid rooftops like patio covers. While they still block out the worst of the sun without completely leaving you in darkness, pergolas won’t keep you from getting a bit wet during a storm.

3) Arbors

For anyone with a smaller backyard or simply a smaller space to turn into an outdoor room, an arbor may be the way to go. Think of an arbor like a smaller pergola, designed to hold climbing plants and let in some sun while still providing a good amount of shade. Arbors don’t tend to cover a lot of space, so they’re best used for a smaller hangout spot like a reading nook or to cover a garden bench.

Don’t Miss Out on Sunny Days!

Houston’s infamous summer heat may make time in the sun a little uncomfortable, but don’t let the heat chase you indoors all summer! A shaded outdoor space allows you to enjoy fresh air and sunshine without exposing yourself to scorching heat or heavy summer rain. Get in touch with our team to see which style is best for you.

Check out our Facebook page to see what patio covers our other clients chose!

29 May

Finding Your New Favorite Grill

Grills have long been a staple of outdoor cooking. Who doesn’t love a hot steak cooked over an open flame? Unfortunately, buying a grill isn’t as simple as it used to be. Aspiring grill masters now have to consider different brands, sizes, fuels, styles, and much more.

Any grill you choose will give you fantastic results when you cook. But some homeowners say that different types of fuel yield different tastes, while others favor a particular style. How can you find the right grill for your backyard? Check out this outdoor grill comparison of some of Creekstone’s best products.

Overwhelmed by the huge variety of grills on the market? This outdoor grill comparison can help you narrow down the list based on your preferences, space, and more. #Creekstone #backyardlife Share on X

How Big is the Grill?

Grills come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny grills designed to cook one meal to massive grills built into an outdoor kitchen island. Naturally, bigger grills will cost more and likely have more features than their smaller counterparts. A casual backyard chef may be content with a small, simple grill. But what if you frequently entertain large groups of people? A smaller grill won’t be able to keep up with the amount of cooking necessary for big parties. Homeowners who often have friends over for dinner may prefer a bigger, fancier grill.

Pro Tip: Most types of grills allow for indirect cooking–cooking your food next to the heat source rather than directly over it. This method allows you to cook thicker cuts of meat slowly without burning the outside.

What Fuel Does the Grill Need?

At Creekstone, we carry grills that take one of three kinds of fuel: gas, pellets, and charcoal. Many veteran grillmasters swear by charcoal grills and claim they provide the best smoky flavor on a freshly grilled steak. Others disagree, however. It’s also somewhat common to hear people claim that gas grills produce the same flavor as charcoal grills, and much faster! You may hear similar claims about pellet grills since they also preheat quickly.

The type of fuel you choose should depend on a few factors. First of all, do you believe the fuel makes a significant difference in taste? Second, which fuel can you easily and consistently purchase to keep your grill going? And finally, are there any restrictions about grilling where you live? Some apartment complexes have rules against electric grills on the porch, for instance. Know your own preferences and any restrictions you may have to deal with.

Does It Come with a Warranty?

Grill manufacturers are confident in their products, and it shows. The vast majority of worthwhile grill models come with at least a 10-year warranty. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s always a good idea to opt for a model with a warranty. Choose a high-quality grill made of durable materials and consult with our backyard renovation experts for details on its warranty.

Which Grill is Right for You?

No matter the brand, size, or fuel, any grill on the market has its own advantages and disadvantages. But don’t evaluate the grills on their own without considering how they’ll fit in your backyard. Do you have room for a massive grill? Do you have guests over often and a small grill just doesn’t have enough space? Consider every possible factor before you make your purchase.

Connect with us to see what an installed grill could look like.

22 May

5 Clever Backyard Storage Ideas

One all-important aspect of home design is storage. We all need extra space to put tools, toys, supplies, and more in the backyard. And while it’s simple enough to just toss everything into buckets or set up cheap shelves, why not make your storage look like a natural part of the backyard? It’s easy and fun to find ways to incorporate your storage into your overall design.

Have too much stuff to store in your yard? Try out these backyard storage ideas for design inspiration! #CreekstoneOutdoorLiving #Creekstone #homedesign #outdoorliving #homedecor Share on X

Creative Outdoor Storage

Why not get creative with your backyard storage? Find ways to integrate your storage naturally into your design scheme or make it subtler. Whatever you choose, the possibilities are nearly endless! Try one of these popular storage ideas:

Firewood cubbies
Hidden storage spaces
Pool houses
Outdoor bars
Outdoor kitchen cabinets

1) Firewood Cubbies

A new wood-burning fireplace or firepit requires a decent amount of fuel for party nights. But who wants to constantly run to the store for more firewood or stack the logs in a precarious woodpile? Try a specialized cubby instead! You’ll keep the firewood out of the way until you need it. Plus, the cubbies are big enough to hold several nights’ worth of firewood! Just keep them full.

2) Hidden Storage Spaces

Certain pieces of outdoor patio furniture double as surprise storage spaces. For instance, a footstool might open to reveal a hollow space perfect for storing extra blankets. Some might even have a cooler hidden inside! And that’s far from the only option for outdoor storage. A chest could serve as a patio coffee table, for instance. Experiment with different furniture to find one with the storage features you prefer!

3) Pool Houses

Of course, a pool house is a perfect place to store all your pool supplies. Keep your swimsuits, floaties, pool toys, towels, and more in a nicely decorated storage space right next to your pool! Better yet, this gives you and your guests a private place to change for your pool party.

Pro Tip: Don’t settle for a simple storage shed. Use a pool house to hold all your pool supplies and give you a much more visually appealing storage solution!

4) Outdoor Bars

What outdoor dining room is complete without a bar? Besides the obvious benefit of being a great place to serve some wine, adding a bar to your backyard also gives you some unique storage space opportunities. Adding a small wine fridge lets you keep your beverages cold without taking up space in your primary outdoor kitchen fridge. And why store your glasses out of sight in cabinets when you can add a specialized shelf that’s equal parts practical and beautiful? Make your own bar as fancy as the one in your favorite restaurant!

5) Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets

Finally, this basic staple of kitchen design is equally crucial in both indoor and outdoor kitchens. Weatherproof cabinets will keep your cooking supplies and ingredients right at hand while keeping them safe from the elements. Save yourself the trouble of constantly running back and forth to bring out supplies from the house. Keep everything you need in your outdoor kitchen!

Get Clever with Your Storage Solutions!

Finding unique storage ideas for your backyard not only helps you organize all your outdoor necessities, but also gives you more potential designs for your backyard renovation. Make your storage system as elaborate or as simple as you prefer. And most importantly, make it fully suited to your preferences for the ultimate custom backyard!

Join the conversation to see how other homeowners incorporated storage into their new backyard designs.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey