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:

  1. Patio space
  2. Fences
  3. Hangout space
  4. Fire pits
  5. 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.

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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5 Home Renovations to Increase Your House’s Value

Whether you bought your current home as an investment or not, the day will likely come when it’s time to sell. How valuable will your house be by then? Most homeowners look to increase their home’s value with time, and for many, that means performing renovations or adding new features.

Adding a few new features to your home could increase its value significantly! Looking for inspiration? Check out these 5 home renovations. #Creekstone Share on X

Giving Your House a Facelift

The best part about home renovations is that you can enjoy the new features in the meantime. So why not go for something fun as well as valuable? Join hundreds of other Houston-area homeowners and start your home improvement project with one of these features:

  1. Backyard deck
  2. Swimming pool
  3. Outdoor kitchen
  4. Remodeled bathroom
  5. New flooring

1) Backyard Deck

A nice, open backyard may be perfect for parties, but only with a few renovations. One excellent addition to your future outdoor hangout space is a spacious backyard deck, with a patio cover for added atmosphere. Home Advisor reports that you’ll likely be able to recoup up to 80% of the deck’s cost when you sell your house later! Prospective homeowners love the atmosphere and potential a deck provides and are willing to pay extra to get it.

2) Swimming Pool

Adding a swimming pool to your home certainly increases your potential for hosting! Guests will love the chance to go swimming. Your return on investment may not be as significant, however. It all depends on how many other homes in your neighborhood have swimming pools too, as well as how in-demand pools are in your area. Do a little research before making this decision.

Pro Tip: Enclosing your pool in a pool house lets you host guests in the best way possible!

3) Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen and dining space is a winning combination for a luxurious backyard! Aside from making the perfect party hangout in the meantime, they can also provide a return on your investment ranging from 10% to 150%! The exact amount depends on the size, setup, and quality of materials used during construction. 

4) Remodeled Bathroom

Nobody likes to use a messy, unappealing restroom. Why not give your bathroom a facelift too? From buying new decorations to installing newer plumbing, you can make your restroom look as good as new. An elegant bathroom will certainly look good to a prospective buyer in the future!

5) New Flooring

Is your carpet looking old and worn? How about the tiles or linoleum in your kitchen, indoors or outdoors? Upgrading your flooring could go a long way toward elevating the rest of your home. Match your countertops for an even more streamlined look!

Get an Excellent Return on Investment

Adding new features or completing a home improvement project does more than just make your house more valuable. It also gives you and your family additional ways to spend time together and enjoy your home. Do yourself a favor and start planning your home renovations today!

Connect with us to see what other homeowners’ completed projects look like.

8 Delicious Outdoor Grill Recipes

As social distancing measures continue and people are stuck at home, homeowners are coming up with more creative ways to pass the extra time they now have. Some are learning a new language or taking up a new hobby. Others are reviving old hobbies or trying to get better at them. If you’re looking for ways to pass the time, why not practice your outdoor cooking skills? Fire up the grill and give these flavorful recipes a try!

An outdoor grilling session is the perfect way to pass time and get better at your cooking skills! Try out these recipes for a delicious dinner. #Creekstone Share on X

What’s on the Menu?

The most commonly grilled dishes involve meat, especially beef, but your grill is far more versatile than that. You can serve up everything from standard beef dishes to seafood and even grilled desserts! Find your new favorite grilled dish here:

  1. Lemon grilled shrimp kabobs
  2. Chili rubbed ribs
  3. Salsa steak
  4. Java pepper steak
  5. Grilled pizza
  6. Cheesy potatoes
  7. Campfire cobbler
  8. Grilled fruit

1) Lemon Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ lemon zest
  • 1 lb shrimp
  • Cherry tomatoes (as many as you’d like)
  • Sliced onions (as many as you’d like)

Mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest into a marinade, and let your shrimp and vegetables marinate for several hours or overnight. Thread everything onto barbecue skewers, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill on each side for approximately 3 minutes.

2) Chili Rubbed Ribs

  • 6 lbs ribs
  • 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Dry rub the ribs with all these seasonings and refrigerate covered for half an hour. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and grill over indirect heat for an hour and a half. Finally, mix together your glaze over medium heat for 6-8 minutes:

  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2-3 cup ketchup
  • 1-3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tsp fresh grated ginger

Unwrap the ribs, rub them with the glaze, and cook over direct heat for 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

3) Salsa Steak

  • 4 portions of steak (size can vary)
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 small cucumber, chopped
  • Half yellow capsicum, diced
  • 4 tbsp coriander, chopped
  • 1 tbsp seeded mustard
  • Olive oil to brush steak

Brush both sides of the steak with olive oil and sear each side, 2-3 minutes for boneless cuts and 3-4 minutes for cuts with bones. For a medium or well done steak, lower the heat to medium and leave for an extra 1-2 minutes. Once the steak is cooked to your preferences, remove from heat and cover for about 2 minutes to settle. While you’re waiting on the steak, mix up your salsa ingredients. Serve on the side.

4) Java Pepper Steak

  • 1.5 lb tenderloin steak
  • 4 tsp finely ground coffee
  • 4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp ground cumin
  • Salt to taste

Preheat your grill and while you wait for it to heat up, place all ingredients in a freezer bag and seal it shut. Shake the bag until the steak is evenly coated in the seasonings. Grill the steak to your preferred level.

Pro Tip: For an especially flavorful steak, rub it with spices and let it sit in the fridge overnight before grilling.

5) Grilled Pizza

  • Naan bread or pitas, one for each serving
  • Olive oil to brush crusts
  • Pizza toppings of choice

Brush both sides of the naan or pitas with olive oil and grill for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, add your pizza toppings, and return them to the grill until the cheese has completely melted.

6) Cheesy Potatoes

  • 2 ½ lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium onion
  • 5 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 6 slices American cheese

Mix all ingredients except the cheese together and spread over a large piece of foil. Fold the foil tightly around the potatoes and grill for 15 minutes on each side. Open the foil and lay the cheese slices over the potatoes. Cover again and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

7) Campfire Cobbler

  • 2 cans of fruit pie filling
  • 1 package yellow cake mix
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • ½ cup canola oil

Line a Dutch oven with aluminum foil and pour in both cans of fruit pie filling. In a separate bowl, mix together the cake mix, water, and oil. Spread the mix over the pie filling. Cook on the grill for 30-40 minutes or until the crust is browned.

8) Grilled Fruit

8 Delicious Outdoor Grill Recipes, Creekstone Outdoor Living, Spring, TX

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • ½ tbsp vanilla
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 6 tbsp honey
  • Handful of lavender flowers
  • 6 figs, halved
  • 3 large fruits: peaches, plums, apricots, etc., halved
  • Olive oil to brush fruit

Brush your halved fruits with olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill. Grill the fruit until nice grill marks form. Meanwhile, combine yogurt, lemon zest, and vanilla into a tangy sauce. Serve fruit with a dollop of yogurt, drizzled honey, flower garnish, and sliced figs.

Brush Up on Your Grill Skills

Few things are more comforting than a hot home-cooked meal prepared on your own grill. And what better way is there to stay fresh on your cooking skills? Give these recipes a try and serve up a great dinner tonight!

Connect with us for more recipes and cooking tricks for your grill.

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5 Secrets of Outdoor Design to Help You Create an Unbelievable Backyard

Is your backyard boring and just plain blah? Does your family spend more time inside on the couch rather than spending it outside in nature? Are you embarrassed to host outside get-togethers because your yard is unkempt and uninteresting? Don’t worry, your backyard isn’t a lost cause. In fact, it’s simple to transform your backyard from being dull to unbelievable with the right outdoor design!

Focusing on one area of your yard at a time allows you to stay focused, on task, and see the bigger picture. Find inspiration for your #backyardrenovation here. #Creekstone Share on X

An Unbelievable Backyard with Outdoor Design

Anyone can have an incredible backyard. To instantly transform your outdoor space, follow these five secret tips of outdoor design and you’ll be planning a party to show off your new yard in no time!

  1. Work from a Plan
  2. Plant for Seasons
  3. Lines & Edges
  4. Separate Spaces
  5. Secret Gardens

1) Work From a Plan

Working from a plan is the first step in creating an unbelievable backyard. Draw your plans out and then work in phases so you don’t get too overwhelmed. Be sure to include any hardscape items you will be adding to your space, like an outdoor kitchen, covered patio, or pergola.

2) Plant for Seasons

If you want an amazing backyard through all seasons, plant to make it happen! With a little research, you can find the best plants for the best seasons and have a variety in your yard so you have greenery and flowers blooming all year round.

3) Lines & Edges

Pay attention to the lines and edges in your yard. Make a natural edge with different grasses or plants, or use stones or other materials to make your garden more enticing. Additionally, pay attention to the lines and add character with sweeping curves throughout your landscape.

4) Separate Spaces

To begin, separate your outdoor space into several smaller spaces. This allows you to make each individual space distinct and fills your yard with interesting details. By separating areas in your backyard, you can delegate specific spaces for everything! Have a lounge area for relaxing, a dining spot for eating al fresco, or a play space for the little ones.

Pro Tip: Don’t let bad weather chase you indoors! Talk to your contractor about adding a pergola or patio cover to your hangout space so the party can go on, rain or shine.

5) Secret Gardens

Everyone loves secret hideaways and your backyard is the perfect place to sneak one in. Find a nice corner or an area between two trees and add a little seating area, water fountain, or even a fire pit. This partially hidden area will not only give you a private spot to relax and enjoy, but the half-hidden space creates the illusion of more space.

Create an Outdoor Oasis

Your backyard is a large part of your home and it should be used just as much as the inside–especially now that we are coming up on the fall season with cooler temperatures! By following the above tips on outdoor design, you will have an unbelievable backyard in no time! If you don’t have the time or just want some help in the process, consider contacting a landscape professional to assist in designing your outdoor living area.

Connect with us to learn more secrets of outdoor design to help you create an unbelievable backyard.