Top Reasons to Invest in a Complete Backyard Makeover

In the past, people have thought about curb appeal and making the front of their homes look nice, but these days, more and more people are taking their backyards into consideration, too. Your outdoor area should be an extension of your inside space, and here are some terrific reasons to invest in a complete backyard makeover.  

Avoiding A Mess

Investing in a backyard makeover will actually save you money and effort when it finally comes time to sell your home. By adding amenities like an outdoor kitchen, pool house, or gazebo, you have less lawn to mow and upkeep, while adding in shade areas and convenience.
If your backyard is pieced together, it can feel disjointed and low quality. Click To Tweet

By planning your backyard and utilizing the space effectively, you can set up different areas for entertaining or just relaxing. Replace outdated materials and furniture to create a fresh look.

Easier Entertaining

A backyard makeover is a perfect way to make your backyard the ideal place for entertaining. An outdoor kitchen with all the amenities takes all the hassle out of outdoor dining or throwing a party. Adding an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area to your yard is a great investment for your outdoor space and will cut down on frequent trips inside the house to gather supplies. Outdoor bars are another great option if you like to enjoy beverages while entertaining family and friends.

A Place to Unwind

A backyard makeover can turn your outdoor living space into your favorite place to unwind. A comfortable sitting area or outdoor living room turns your yard into a year-round destination. A cabana or covered patio works perfectly to keep you shielded from the elements. And what better way to relax than sitting by your outdoor fire pit after a long day? Spending time outside has also shown health benefits like lowered stress and elevated moods.

Increase Home Value

Investing in a backyard makeover will boost your home’s value significantly. Home buyers are looking for houses with hardscape elements like patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and pool houses. And don’t forget how much landscaping elements boost home value when planning your backyard makeover! Landscaping features like bushes, flowers, and trees add instant curb appeal and can turn a drab yard into a colorful and comfortable place to be.

Invest in a Backyard Makeover

The bottom line is, investing in a backyard makeover just makes sense. Not only does it offer a place to unwind and entertain, but it also ensures a better return on your home when it finally comes time to put it on the market. Investing in a backyard makeover benefits everyone!

To learn more about how you can transform your backyard, Contact Us.

How to Host an Epic Summer Cookout

Texas summers start early, so there is no better time to start planning your epic summer cookout than now! Whether you are cooking for close family or entertaining a big crowd, planning ahead is the surefire way to make sure your outdoor entertaining goes flawlessly. Click To Tweet

Plan Ahead

A little planning can go a long way when it comes to preparing your summer cookout. Getting together a game-plan ahead of time can save you time and frustration. Here are some simple things to consider to make sure you are completely prepared for your epic summer cookout!

Prepare Your Outdoor Space

The first step for your summer cookout is to clean up your outdoor space. Mow the lawn, clean or update patio furniture, rake leaves, and pick up debris and toys. And, even though you are not entertaining inside, it is also a good idea to pick up inside entryway, kitchen, and bathroom, just in case.

Stock the Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens make outside entertaining easy, especially when you have it stocked and ready for cooking! Make sure all your needed utensils, sauces, spices and other things are all ready for your special summer cookout. It is also a good idea to have your grill and ovens cleaned and ready for cooking.

Provide Plenty of Entertainment

Keep your guests entertained! Yard games for kids and adults, a television in the outdoor living room, or a pool are just a few examples of ways to keep your friends and family having a fun time. Make sure to play some music that fits with your party. If you are firing up the grill to barbeque with potato salad and grilled vegetables on the side, you might want some upbeat country music playing. Or if you’re firing up the pizza oven, maybe play some classic Italian tunes to get people in the mood.

Ample Seating

When entertaining outside, don’t forget the seating! People need to be able to relax and enjoy their dinner, or while chatting over a glass of wine while the kids splash around the pool. Make sure to have plenty of seating, and get creative with your outdoor decor. A themed party makes outdoor entertaining even more exciting. If a Hawaiian luau is your theme, spruce up plain folding chairs and tables with fake grass hula skirts! Set up a bowling game using coconuts as bowling balls. There’s no limit to the creative ideas you can bring to life. At night take the party to your custom fire pit, where guests can gather around a glowing fire and talk, dance or laugh the night away.

Plan Your Menu

When thinking about your menu, consider everyone who will be attending. Does anyone have special dietary restrictions? Are there any allergies? Plan ahead by asking your guests and planning your menu around them–making sure that everyone will enjoy what is being served. Another idea is to have guests bring a side item or dessert while you, the host, provides the main course.

Open Bar

Like your food menu, make sure you have plenty of beverages for your guests, too. Sodas, beer, wine, lemonade, or iced tea, are all good to have available.If you plan to make cocktails and other mixed drinks, don’t forget your ice and mixers!

Summer Cookout Fun

Summer is for getting together with loved ones and friends and what better way to entertain than with an epic summer cookout? By following the above suggestions when planning your party and get together, you are certain to have a blast, enjoying good food and each other’s company.

To learn more about how to plan and set up your outdoor living space for the most epic summer cookout yet, Contact Us.

5 Outdoor Living Trends to Maximize Your Yard

With the beautiful springtime moving in, more and more people are getting outside. Whether for work or play, maximizing your yard for functional use is one of the top outdoor living trends for 2018. In fact, Architect Magazine has found that outdoor living spaces have become the most popular “special function rooms” for the past six years. So how can you make your outdoor living space more comfortable, stylish, and functional? Here are some simple ways to maximize your yard.

Bring the Indoors Outside

Your yard should be an extension of your home and everything you have inside, can be used outside, too! More and more people are adding outdoor kitchens, televisions, and lounging areas to their patios and yards. Hang solar lamps, add colorful cushions, and activities like card games, chess and other things to do while enjoying time outside.

1) Smooth Transition

A smooth transition from inside to outdoors helps eliminates steps and obstacles and makes the outdoors inviting for guests and family members. Continue the inside color palette outside, or play around with new patterns and colors with decorative rugs and pillows. Think about adding a custom patio cover to expand your livable space regardless of the weather. Let your outside space offer the same comforts as your inside space does.

2) Edible Gardens

Planting edible gardens is a top trend for 2018 and a perfect way to maximize your yard space. You don’t have to have a huge area to start growing your own foods, either. Many people create container gardens or build a simple window box or a raised bed to grow herbs, greens, and other edibles. Gardening for the table can become a family project and it is fun to eat the foods you grow!

3) Create Zones

Regardless of your yard size, work at creating different and unique zones to create depth and personality. Have a barbeque area with a grill and relaxed seating in one area and perhaps in a shady spot, add a bench or seating for reading with a water fountain and windchimes. Make sure to have space for entertaining, or an area for the kids to play, if you have any. Creating zones is sure to help you enjoy your outdoor area more often and throughout the entire year.

4) Comfortable and Practical Seating

Without comfortable and practical seating, no one will want to spend time outdoors. It is hard to relax when you only have a hard, wooden seat to sit in, or a moldy pool chair that is six years old. More and more companies are making quality outdoor furniture these days that will withstand the weather and last longer. If you have a roofed patio, the addition of a couch and coffee table makes your outside space just as warm and welcoming as inside.

5) Outdoor Kitchen

With all the time spent relaxing and entertaining outside, an outdoor kitchen is a must! Not only does it add convenience to your life, but it also helps keep the house cool in the summer months, but it keeps the smells outside, too. An outdoor kitchen also makes a great place to entertain without being too crowded, or having to make constant back-and-forth trips inside the house to get items. Most outdoor kitchens have a grill, refrigerator, storage and other items necessary for seamless entertaining and cooking.

Outdoor Living Trends to Maximize

Not only does bringing the inside outdoors create a relaxing environment for your family and friends, but it also adds usable living space and boosts home values for future sales. With outdoor living trends like comfortable seating, an edible garden, and new zones to explore–you might find yourself more outside than ever!

To learn how you can bring maximize your yard with these top trends, Contact Us.

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

6 Ways to Build a Beautiful Backyard

If you’re at home, look outside your back door.  Are you happy with what you see?  Are you using that land to its full potential? If not, it may be time to build a beautiful backyard that you can be proud of. Let this be the summer that you create an outdoor living space that will leave neighbors envious and friends in awe!

Planning a Functional & Beautiful Backyard

If you’re considering redesigning your backyard, take a moment to think about your priorities.   If your family likes to spend time outdoors, what do you like to do? An active family looking for a space to play will have very different needs than a couple who loves to cook and entertain. Perhaps you’re just looking for a quiet place to unwind at the end of a long day. Whatever your needs, the right elements can create a stunning backyard:

1) Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are enjoying a boom in popularity and for good reason! Outdoor cooking is low-maintenance and fun, allowing the host to be in the middle of everything, even while preparing a meal. Today’s options are endless, meaning that the appliances and tools you use indoors are available for outdoor kitchens as well.

2) Dining Area

There is nothing more romantic or luxurious than settling in for a delicious meal under the stars. Add soft lighting and music, and you’ve created a night to remember. Once you’ve experienced alfresco dining, you’ll never want to throw a stuffy dinner party again!

3) Fireplace

Fire pits and fireplaces are a perfect example of form and function. Not only are they a beautiful and romantic addition to your backyard, but they provide both light and warmth into the evening. This extends the time you can enjoy the great outdoors, surrounded by family and friends.

4) Shade Structures

On a hot summer day, it’s important to provide plenty of shade so that lounging outdoors is bearable! Shade structures, such as pergolas and arbors, add visual interest and aesthetically pleasing height contrast.

5) Conversation Areas

While outdoor living areas generally encourage casual conversations, providing a separate seating area for guests is recommended. This allows anyone wishing to have a quiet conversation to break off from the group in favor of a separate seating area.   

6) Natural Traffic Flow

When designing your backyard, it’s important to keep in mind the natural flow of foot traffic in your backyard. For example, putting a seating area right outside the backdoor might be awkward with people going in and out all night.  Think about where people will likely spend their time, and plan your zones (eating, chatting, playing) accordingly.  

A Home Oasis

There’s no better feeling than coming home after a long day and setting into your own personal backyard oasis. Your outdoor living space is an extension of your home and should be given the same attention to detail.  The result is a beautiful paradise you won’t want to leave!

To start designing the backyard living space of your dreams, Contact Us.

The Best Outdoor Accessories For a Backyard Oasis

So you’ve finally finished the outdoor living space of your dreams.  You added a custom built outdoor kitchen and poolside dining area and you can’t wait to show them off. Looking around, you might find that it needs a little something more. Some design elements that will really make the space your own.

Form and Function

When you’re choosing accessories for your backyard living space, it’s important to combine form with function. Items should be beautiful but serve a purpose. Outdoor elements that sit neglected will just look like junk or clutter.

1) Firepit

An outdoor fire pit is a perfect accessory for any backyard oasis. It provides warmth on cold nights, which will extend the number of hours your backyard can be used. Modernizations in design mean that the simple fire pits of the past are gone. Custom fire pits can be as elaborate as you’d like, utilizing either real firewood or gas. Add diamond nuggets to your gas fire pit to create a magical, sparkling sight.

2) Lights

The right outdoor lighting can create a calming and safe environment for guests and family members. Path lighting allows visitors to navigate their way around your backyard.  Thoughtfully placed sconce lights and lanterns cast soft light throughout your patio space, while overhead lighting facilitates practical tasks like cooking.

3) Kitchen Luxuries

An outdoor kitchen is a fantastic investment and a great place to host a dinner party.  With the growing popularity of outdoor kitchens, there are no limits to what you can add to yours.  Ice makers, elaborate gas grills, refrigerators and commercial grade cooktops. If you love to cook, you can have an outdoor kitchen with as many amenities (or more) as your indoor kitchen!

4) Pillows & Blankets

Adding a soft touch to your outdoor living space makes it feel even more like an extension of your home. There is more variety than ever in outdoor-safe textiles, from rugs to blankets.  Gather around your fire pit in comfort with the right accessories.

5) Entertainment

Your outdoor living space may include a covered patio, which is ideal for a wall mounted television.  While the kids play in the pool you can relax and watch tv.  Host a movie premiere party with friends and invest in a projector so everyone can see.  

Adding a Personal Touch

As you accessorize your outdoor space, it’s important to incorporate your personality into everything. If you love the ocean, incorporate tones of blue and green.  For a zen-like atmosphere, use lots of natural materials and neutral colors. Your outdoor space is an extension of your indoor design and should reflect that level of care.  

The Best Outdoor Accessories For Your Space

Once you’ve placed the perfect finishing touches to your backyard oasis, take a step back and admire your work.  You’ve created an entirely new living space, with all the conveniences of the indoors, but in the fresh air of the great outdoors. With everything done, now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your beautiful backyard.

To learn more about how to transform your backyard into a masterpiece, Contact Us.