Custom Outdoor Kitchen and Cabana by Creekstone Outdoor Living in Houston Texas

Design Trends for a Swimming Pool You’ll Use All Summer

If you are thinking of renovating your backyard space and pool, or if you are about to have a pool installed for the first time, there is no better time than now. Updating your backyard space now allows you to have the work completed in time to enjoy your swimming pool all summer long. If you want to take your outdoor space and pool to the next level, you’ll want to make sure to pull in some of this year’s top design trends. Tired of your outdated backyard? These 6 swimming pool design trends will turn your outdoor space into your new family room! Share on X

Which Design Trends Will Create an Outdoor Oasis You’ll Enjoy All Summer Long?

It’s easy to create an outdoor oasis and swimming pool that you and your family will enjoy all summer long. With sunning shelves, a fire pit, and luscious landscaping and lighting, your backyard will be transformed from boring to beautiful in no time.

  1. Dark Color Pool Interior
  2. Custom Pool Shape
  3. Sunning Shelves
  4. Swim Up Bar
  5. Landscaping and Lighting
  6. Fire Pits and Places

1) Dark Color Pool Interior

A stunning new trend is the use of darker colored pool interiors. Pool interiors coated in azures and cobalt blues lend themselves to a lagoon-like effect: deep, dark, and soothing. These darker colors are welcoming and luxurious and make your backyard the perfect place to hang out all summer long.

2) Custom Pool Shape

These days, pools can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and when you choose to get a custom pool, you can help add personality to your outdoor living space. When choosing the shape of your pool, consider your lot size and available space, your budget, whether it meets safety codes, your home’s architectural style, sun exposure, as well as how you will use the pool.

3) Sunning Shelves

Sunning shelves are some of the most popular design trends for swimming pools. Tanning shelves are great to lounge, relax and keep you refreshed on a hot Texan day. Sunning ledges are a great to place gushers and create a splash pad for the kids, too.

4) Swim Up Bar

If your pool is a regular spot for celebration and get-togethers, then adding a swim-up bar is certainly the perfect addition! Usually, you only see these in the hotels and resorts – but imagine having one in your own pool.

ProTip: With a swim up bar, you can have drinks and snacks at the ready without having to leave the water. Just swim right up, have a seat, and unwind.

5) Landscaping and Lighting

There is nothing better than nice landscaping around the pool. Some of the benefits of having landscaping around your pool include having better oxygenation in the surrounding area and having an avid display of colors. Be sure to choose plants that will thrive in your climate and illuminate them with LED or other landscaping lights to help turn your outdoor space into an outdoor oasis.

6) Fire Pits and Places

No matter what type of look or atmosphere you’re trying to create, there’s one swimming pool trend that always seems to be on the top of the list: fire. Fire is lighting in one of it’s most natural forms and creates a wonderful ambiance and warmth to your swimming pool area. Choose from a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace for the perfect place to spend all summer long.

Swimming Pool Design Trends

Vamp up your backyard retreat with a custom swimming pool design. With the addition of the above swimming pool design trends, your backyard will be the place everyone will want to be–all summer long.

Join the conversation and learn the top pool design trends that will have your spending all your days and nights in your pool and outside oasis.

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5 Design Tips for Luxurious Outdoor Living in Houston

If you’re lucky enough to live in the Houston area, you know that the weather allows for year-round entertaining and use of your outdoor living space. When you design your backyard with the right custom features you can create the backyard of your dreams and everyone will be begging you to host the next barbecue or pool party. Tired of your drab and boring backyard? Create an outdoor oasis with these 5 design tips! Share on X

How Can You Turn Your Outdoor Space Into an Oasis?

It’s easy to turn your backyard into a dream entertaining space when you have an outdoor kitchen, shady spots for people to relax in and comfortable seating. These five design tips for outdoor living can help you create the backyard of your dreams.

  1. Comfortable Seating
  2. Light it Up
  3. Get Cooking
  4. Add a Spark
  5. Shade the Day

1) Comfortable Seating

If you don’t have a comfortable place to relax outside, chances are, you and no one else wants to spend time there. To create a space that perfect for entertaining and hanging out with friends and family, be sure to have plenty of comfortable seating.

2) Light it Up

Illuminate your space with custom outdoor lighting. Adding lights to your pergola, covered patio, or throughout your landscaping can set your outdoor space apart and make it enjoyable even after the sun goes down.

3) Get Cooking

What better way to enjoy your outside space than to add an outdoor kitchen? This is especially useful if you love to grill out or through backyard barbecues!

ProTip: Completely customize your outdoor kitchen with amenities like stainless steel gas grills and refrigerators.

4) Add a Spark

A perfect way to create an outdoor oasis is to enhance your yard with custom fire features. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit allows you to enjoy your backyard all year round. Fire features add warmth and beauty and are the perfect place to gather around and make memories.

5) Shade the Day

If you live in Houston, you know how brutal the sun can be during the summer months. To help cool off your friends and family, be sure to have a shady place for them to retreat to. Covered patios, pergolas, and cabanas are the perfect and practical solution to creating a beautiful shady place. A covered area is also perfect for outdoor exercises, relaxing, hanging out with friends, or even setting up an outdoor office! Find a few more ideas to transform your new patio here.

Top Design Tips for Luxurious Living in Houston

When you are ready to transform your backyard into your dream space, be sure to work with a professional to help make your dream a reality. A Houston outdoor living specialist can help ensure your complete satisfaction and work with you through the entire process.

Join the conversation to learn more about how to create a more luxurious space in your backyard. 


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How to Create an Upscale Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen
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New Pool Construction: Expectations vs. Reality

Have you finally made the decision to get a new pool built? Having your own pool is the perfect way to transform your backyard into the perfect oasis to relax and have fun in! So, now what? There is a lot that goes into new pool construction and it does take a little time to create the custom pool of your dreams. Wondering when your custom pool will be ready to swim in? Here are 9 aspects of new pool construction you need to know before you get started. Share on X

What Should You Expect with New Pool Construction?

Swimming pool construction is a process and includes a series of steps before it will be ready to swim in. Once you get through the design process, you can get a better estimate of the time it will take to excavate, place the plumbing and other equipment, tile, deck, and plaster. Here are some things you can expect when building a new pool.

  1. Design Consultation
  2. Time Considerations
  3. Forms & Excavation
  4. Structural Steel & Gunite
  5. Plumbing & Equipment
  6. Tile & Coping
  7. Decking
  8. Plaster & Startup
  9. Pool Party Time

1) Design Consultation

The entire pool building process begins with a home design consultation. You need to work with a contractor who is both skilled in pool design and can help you choose the features that will work best for your lifestyle.

2) Time Considerations

One of the most popular questions asked is “how long does it take to build a pool start to finish?”. Providing an allowance for weather delays, and that many skilled tradesmen do not perform labor on Sundays, you can usually expect a pool construction project to take about six to ten weeks.

3) Forms & Excavation

After you’ve planned the design concept of your new swimming pool, they will break ground and exact the outer shape of the swimming pool. It takes approximately one full day to properly excavate a swimming pool in preparation for the structural reinforcement stage.

4) Structural Steel & Gunite

Next, they will install structural steel into the excavated shape, and install the stub-out plumbing for the proper placement of all water-return jets, water features, suction lines, and your spa plumbing system. Once this is in place, the gunite material is applied.

ProTip: Once the gunite is in place, it takes a minimum of 24 hours to harden and up to two weeks to fully cure.

5) Plumbing & Equipment

After the gunite has properly cured, they will lay down the total pool plumbing system of network of pipes that carry the water to and from the pool.

6) Tile & Coping

This is the stage that the pool will begin to start looking more like a pool, as experienced tile installers will amaze you with careful installation of all tiles and decorative stone materials to create your customized pool.

7) Decking

Next, your custom decking will be installed according to your design ideas. You can choose from natural pavers, wood, concrete, or many other materials for your pool decking.

8) Plaster & Startup

The mechanical components, including the filter system, pumps, time clock or wireless components, cleaner, heater (if required) are installed, and then they will start with the final step of the process–the plaster. You will not be able to swim right away until the start-up procedure has completed after or up to at least 7 days.

9) Pool Party Time

Once all this is complete, it is time to plan that pool party to show off your gorgeous new outdoor living space and pool!

Getting Ready for New Pool Construction

Vamp up your backyard retreat with a custom swimming pool design. Luxury or classic? That’s for you to decide! Select the pool shape, size, and features that you love the most. And, also consider a custom pool house to go along with your new custom designed pool.

Thinking about getting a custom pool? Join the conversation to learn more about what to expect during new pool construction.

How to Create an Upscale Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen

If you love to spend time cooking outside, it’s time to upgrade your grill and cook area to an upscale stainless steel kitchen. Be the envy of the town when you take your outdoor living area to the next level. Work with an expert to create an upscale outdoor kitchen that you can make memories in for a lifetime. This guide can help you start planning the stainless steel kitchen of your dreams. Share on X

Creating an outdoor kitchen has never been easier when you work with an outdoor kitchen design expert. By adding the perfect stainless steel accessories paired with granite countertops, you’ll make your dream kitchen a reality.

Custom Kitchen Design

A custom designed kitchen gives your outdoor cooking space the upscale look you’ve been hoping for. With numerous custom options like custom stone and woodwork and patio covers, you can make a one-of-a-kind outdoor kitchen that will be the ideal place for making your outdoor entertaining unforgettable.  

Add Accessories

Take your outdoor kitchen up a notch by adding stainless steel accessories. Choose side burners, food prep areas, an ice maker, and other grill accessories to give your outdoor space an elevated and sophisticated feel.

ProTip: Bring your outdoor kitchen dreams to life by selecting features like granite countertops, custom woodwork, gourmet quality stainless steel grills, and endless accessory options.

Granite Countertops

Granite countertops create a state of the art look that fits perfectly with stainless steel grills, refrigerators, and other outdoor kitchen accessories. Your custom designed kitchen will quickly become the heartbeat of your backyard and the perfect place for your next cookout and entertaining time with family and friends.

Upscale One-of-a-Kind Kitchen

Don’t settle for just a grill area in your backyard, make your space an upscale cooking center tweaked out with a gleaming grill, refrigerator, and stainless-steel cabinets to die for.  

Ready to create your own upscale stainless kitchen but wondering where to begin? Join the conversation to learn how you can get started today.

5 Reasons to Build a New Pool in Houston

Are you on the fence about getting a pool for your outdoor space? Building a pool in Houston has a lot more benefits than just getting out of that hot, summer heat! Do you frequent the public pool and wondering if you should take the plunge and have one built in your own backyard? Here are 5 reasons you need to build your own custom pool if you live in Houston. Share on X

What Are the Benefits of Building a Pool in Houston?

There are so many benefits to building a pool in Houston. A pool can offer the perfect place for outdoor entertaining and quality family time, and also help keep you and your family healthy! Here are five reasons why you need to build a pool in your Houston backyard.

  1. Added Home Value
  2. Quality Family Time
  3. Backyard Entertaining
  4. Better Health and Wellness
  5. Cool Off in the Hot Seasons

1) Added Home Value

If you live in Texas, you know how popular having a pool is. In fact, most people, when looking to buy a new home, look for a place that has a pool. Installing a backyard pool is one of the best ways to add value to your home, and can add 15% or more with a pool installation.

2) Quality Family Time

One of the top reasons to build a swimming pool is that it gives you the opportunity to spend more time together as a family. Instead of your kids heading to their friend’s house, or the neighborhood pool, they will want to be at home having fun right in the backyard.

3) Backyard Entertaining

With a custom pool, you’re certain to draw party people to your place–especially when temperatures soar each summer.

ProTip: If you enjoy outdoor entertaining, then a pool is the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue, and will give you a reason to do more of it!

4) Better Health and Wellness

If you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a pool is an ideal answer. Swimming is great exercise and just being in the water has been known to decrease stress levels and create a luxury relaxation experience right in your backyard.

5) Cool Off in the Hot Summer

And, of course, you can’t forget the number one reason why having a pool in Houston…to cool off when the sweltering heat hits. Houston is known for its heat and humidity and a pool provides the perfect place to cool down. Luckily, Houston also has weather that is great for almost year-round swimming!

Top Reasons to Build a Pool in Houston

As you see, there are many reasons to consider building a pool in Houston, and now is the best time to do it so your custom pool will be complete before the temperatures start to rise.

Sold on the ideas of building a new custom pool in your Houston backyard? Join the conversation to talk with our team about our custom pool designs.