Custom Houston Pool House by Creekstone Outdoor Living

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.

The Crescent Oaks - Custom Outdoor Pergola with Outdoor Kitchen and Living Space in The Woodlands, Texas

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.

Our Response to the Coronavirus Epidemic

The current outbreak of the coronavirus has left many people uncertain and worried about the future. Many Houston businesses are closing and ceasing most or all of their services.

Creekstone’s response to the pandemic is slightly different. We plan to remain open, but we are taking every necessary precaution to protect both our employees and our valued clients. Here’s how we’re doing both.

#Creekstone is still open, but we’re being very careful to do our part to slow the spread of the #coronavirus between employees and clients. Learn more about our response to the situation here. #CreekstoneOutdoorLiving #COVID19 Share on X

Our Employees

Like many businesses, we’ve moved most of our employees to work from home for the foreseeable future. Only a few essential staff members are staffing our physical location. We’re very careful to keep our store sanitized at all times and are washing our hands frequently to protect ourselves and any visitors.

Curbside Pickup & Delivery

We don’t want to keep our customers waiting for their orders and, to the best of our ability, we’d like to continue helping you have a sense of normalcy with your families during this time. Consequently, we’ve implemented two programs to keep your purchases on time. As of March 28, we’re offering the following services to our clients:

  • Free curbside pickup from our store location, regardless of the size of your order
  • Free same-day delivery for orders over $50 placed before 12 pm and within 10 miles of our store location

We hope that these options allow us to continue providing you with excellent products while also helping you and your loved ones maintain proper social distancing.

Pro Tip: Coronavirus is not believed to be airborne, so spending time outdoors is safe as long as you continue to observe social distancing and proper handwashing.

Stay Safe!

As we wait for updates from the CDC and continue monitoring the ongoing situation, the most important thing to remember is that we can get through this. Practicing social distancing and careful hygiene will do wonders to protect you from getting sick. In the meantime, we hope to help you maintain a sense of hope and normalcy as you wait for this to pass.

Connect with us for further updates on our approach to handling COVID-19.

Custom Outdoor Kitchen with RCS Grill, Double Side burner, Refrigerator and Sink

Your Guide to Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen in Houston

An outdoor kitchen is a sizable investment of both time and money for most people. However, it’s worth it! Setting up an outdoor entertaining area gives you endless possibilities for parties, business gatherings, or even family nights in the backyard.

But before you can start enjoying your new outdoor cooking space, you need to decide how you want it to look, what you’ll be using it for, and what you’re willing to spend. Still in the brainstorming stage? Here are a few key considerations to help you figure out exactly what you want out of the newest addition to your backyard.

Designing a new outdoor kitchen? Have you finalized your ideas yet? Learn how to design your new kitchen here! #Creekstone #backyardlife Share on X

Style

Like any type of home design, outdoor kitchen trends change with time. But certain stylistic choices, like stainless steel appliances, never quite seem to go out of style. And a refrigerator works just fine no matter what it looks like!

Two of the best recent trends for outdoor kitchens are built-in ice makers and kamado-style grills like Big Green Egg, grills that close completely over the cooking food to produce a deep, smoky flavor. And of course, the convenience of having freshly made ice right next to your outdoor fridge can’t be overstated. These trendy choices do more than just make your kitchen look great! They can also make your whole experience more convenient and simpler.

Practicality

Of course, appearances aren’t everything. Since you’ll be cooking and hosting in your outdoor hangout space, you have to consider how well your design choices will work with what you’ll be doing. For instance, consider your outdoor kitchen’s countertops. Materials such as marble may look gorgeous, but without expert sealing and ongoing maintenance, they could be ruined by Houston rain or humidity. Most designers also don’t recommend them for kitchen use because marble is extremely porous, making stain prevention difficult. (Marble tiles, on the other hand, are specially formulated for kitchen use and are fine for an outdoor kitchen. Talk to your designer for details.)

The bottom line is simply that your kitchen must be equally functional as elegant. While you can certainly go for both–a completely utilitarian kitchen is boring, after all–you must take the time to consider how well your choices will work in an outdoor setting.

Pro Tip: As you design your outdoor kitchen, consider any potential future renovations you want to make and how to make them easier. You won’t want to have to pull up your new tile floor to install new pipes for a pool, for instance.

Budget

Finally, it’s time to look at your budget. This will vary depending on the materials you choose, the appliances you need, the square footage your outdoor kitchen will cover, and more. Consequently, you can’t simply estimate the base cost of an outdoor kitchen without a semi-detailed plan of what you want. The best approach to budget planning is browsing our gallery for inspiration and bringing your ideas to an expert to discuss cost options.

Enjoy Your New Outdoor Kitchen!

A lot of planning goes into designing the perfect outdoor kitchen and party space. But all that time will be worth it in the end. You can look forward to enjoying a brand new custom outdoor kitchen and making your friends jealous!

Join the conversation to find inspiration and more outdoor kitchen ideas.

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