Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

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.

15 May

Add Value to Your Home with These 5 Backyard Renovations

Indoor home renovations add significant value to your home on their own. But why stop there? After all, a visitor’s first impression of your home won’t be what it looks like on the inside, but how appealing the front yard or backyard is. Investing a little extra time and money on backyard renovation could give your home significant resale value when it’s time to move.

Many potential home buyers will get their first impression of your house from the yard. Is your backyard up to the test? Increase your home’s value and improve your backyard with these tips. #Creekstone #CreekstoneOutdoorLiving Share on X

Outdoor Remodeling Inspiration

Maybe your backyard has the best-looking grass in the neighborhood, but there’s nowhere to sit down. Likewise, even the fanciest outdoor kitchen doesn’t look appealing next to a brown, dying lawn. What kind of work does your yard need? Try one of these proven remodeling ideas:

Patio space
Fences
Hangout space
Fire pits
Eye-catching landscaping

1) Patio Space

Prospective buyers have a list of features they want in their new house. While everyone wants something slightly different, many people would agree that they’d love for their new house to have a patio. A brand new patio will certainly catch the attention of many potential buyers! And in the meantime, you get a great place to spend time outdoors or host parties in your backyard.

2) Fences

Is there a particularly scenic area behind your home that you’d love to look at? Maybe a see-through fence is best. On the other hand, a tall privacy fence ensures no one can peek at you while you’re in your backyard. Whichever style you choose, installing a fence of some type is an excellent way to secure your home and increase its appeal at the same time.

3) Hangout Space

Plenty of people love spending time in their backyard. Why not set up a permanent hangout space to enjoy the great outdoors? An outdoor kitchen, dining area, or even covered entertainment space gives you the chance to relax outside with family or friends. And better yet, this feature will definitely boost your home’s resale value.

4) Fire Pits

What’s the perfect addition to an outdoor cooking space? An open fire! A fireplace or fire pit gives you the opportunity to cook over open flames or just add a touch of atmosphere to your evening hangout. Light up the night and catch others’ attention with a customized fireplace.

5) Eye-Catching Landscaping

Finally, the yard itself needs attention. How healthy is your grass? Are your trees or decorative plants in good shape? Now’s the time to institute a lawn care routine to keep your plants healthy. The healthier they are, the better your yard will look, and the more curb appeal your house will have.

Pro Tip: Give your backyard a facelift! Plant flowers native to the Houston area that will thrive throughout the year.

Find Your Favorite Backyard Renovation

Even a few changes to your backyard layout or style can significantly increase what a potential buyer will pay for your home. Which idea appealed the most to you? Start planning your brand new backyard today!

Connect with us for an idea of what your renovated backyard could look like.

08 May

How to Make a Small Living Area Look Bigger

Does your living room not have enough space? Does it simply feel cramped or too small to be comfortable? While it may seem like the most logical solution is knocking out a wall, you can take less drastic measures to make your living room seem bigger than it truly is.

Don’t worry about rearranging your entire home’s layout to fix a too-small living room! Several strategic decorative choices will help you create a brighter, more open atmosphere for your living area. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Making a tiny living room seem bigger can be as simple as adding a few new decorations and rearranging old ones. Find inspiration here. #Creekstone #homedecor Share on X

Color Choices

Very light or very dark colors tend to give a room depth. Combining the two, such as painting the walls white and buying dark navy furniture, makes the space pop even more. Your eye is drawn to the contrasting colors that create the illusion of a bigger room. This also has the advantage of giving your living space a clean, elegant look.

Pro Tip: Decorating with pale or bright colors in a room with low natural light will accent the light it does have, making a compact space feel more open.

Space-Defining Decorations

A few strategic decorative choices can help outline your space. Large rugs on the floor and large paintings hanging on the walls trick your mind into seeing the room as bigger than it actually is. A large mirror hanging on the wall also helps create the illusion of depth and makes a room feel more open.

Additionally, your choice of accessories comes into play here. Too many small decorative items can make your room feel cluttered and tiny. Buy a few larger decorative pieces instead to complement the room and mesh perfectly with your paintings and rug.

Specialized Furniture

One excellent method of saving space is to find creative ways of storing necessary items. Plenty of homeowners accomplish this through specialized furniture. For instance, cushions on a window seat could lift up to hold extra blankets or pillows. A couch can fold out into a bed. A coffee table can expand into a standing desk. You can even find creative ways to incorporate shelves or drawers into your furniture plan. Whatever you choose, removing excess clutter without sacrificing any necessary things will definitely help your room feel more open.

Making Your Living Room Look Bigger

With an eye for color and decor, it’s not difficult to make a room feel larger without actually changing the floor space. It’s all about tricking your eyes! Experiment with different colors, decorations, furniture, and more to create your new ideal living room.

Join the conversation to see how other homeowners decorated their living areas.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey