Outdoor Living Space Ideas

Cool Pergola Designs for Outdoor Patio

With the dog days of summer in full swing in many parts of the country, finding a way to keep ourselves and our pets cool is a top priority. Outdoor shade structures offer pets and people a spot where they can retreat to take a break and cool off. It's a great place to relax and sip a cold drink as well as a spot for your pet's water dish so they can stay hydrated while outdoors. Our pergolas offer a way to shade your pets on your patio. Add a retractable pergola canopy, and you'll get even more shade - this can be added to our pergolas sized 12x12 to 20x20. Best shade options are our Big Kahuna Pergola Kits or Sombrero Pergola Kits. Dogster offers some other tips for...

How to Enhance Outdoor Spaces

Looking for ways to enhance your outdoor spaces and not sure where to start? Landscaping and hardscaping can transform your backyard into a functional favorite room that can be used year-round. Define and enhance outdoor spaces with pavers for your patio and pathways, and soften the backdrop with evergreens or deciduous plants that will thrive in your climate zone. Pull it all together with an outdoor structure like a cedar pergola and you're well on your way to defining your outdoor space! Even if you have a shady spot for relaxing and entertaining, some planter boxes brimming with shade loving flowers under a pergola could enhance the look and make it even more inviting. If you're just getting started and need some ideas, many landscape contractors can help you decide on...

Summer Outdoor Gardening Checklist

Have a few things left on your outdoor gardening checklist to finish up? As you dust off the to-do list you started working on earlier this summer, or as you scan new ideas for summer patio and garden projects for your part of the country, try out one of these gardening suggestions that matches your climate and current weather patterns. Is your August hot & humid? Hot & dry? Wet & windy? Or cool & crisp? This list on Rodale's offers gardening tips suited for many different planting zones, including the USDA plant hardiness zones 3-10. For example, if you're in a hot climate in late summer and into the fall months, or if you have concerns about drought, you could dress up your patio with accents that don't require as...

Make the Most of Your Mid-Summer Outdoor Dining Experience

Mid-summer is such a wonderful time to really take advantage of the nice weather and eat outside on your porch or patio. There are so many different aspects that make outdoor dining more of an experience than just eating a meal. Everything from the decorations, to the food you eat, and how you prepare it helps set the mood. Dressing your outdoor tablescape for success is a great way to set the tone for an outdoor party or just a family meal. This is especially true when it comes to outdoor dining. At Two Peas and their Pod they talk about how to create a beautiful outdoor setting for a fun mid-summer party. They suggest keeping the table cloth simple and neutral along with plain dishware. When it comes to the...

Unique Pergola Designs for Patios

Looking for a few fresh ideas to update the appearance of your summer patio? These customer patio pergola photos show unique patio designs that extend their living area off their deck or patio. Which is your favorite? We appreciate our customers and love to see the finished work from coast-to-coast! These patio pergola photos represent pergolas from Colorado, Texas, and Massachusetts. Benefits of Outdoor Patio Pergola Whether you have a shady or sunny yard, there are many options to consider for that update you’ve been planning. A patio with Wood Pergola offers a way to enclose an area without building walls to create an extra room and can make an otherwise exposed open area feel a little cozier. When the cooler months roll around, you’ll have a backyard escape where you can relax and enjoy...

Beautiful Accents for Your Midsummer Retreat

Looking for a midsummer project to spiff up your outdoor living space? Garden arbors, gazebos and pergolas can be used to enhance your patio, deck, or garden area, and come in all sizes to fit any size yard. Smaller designs can be used as a beautiful accent to your flowerbed or vegetable garden, and larger pergolas can often help define a border for your outdoor retreat. Shown here are photos that our customer shared showing varied sizes of pergolas that work beautifully in each unique setting. These were shared for a July 2017 pergola of the month contest. We appreciate our customers and love to see their photos! Garden arbors can be constructed to provide a border to your patio, a cover to provide a little extra shade, or as a centerpiece to...

Summertime Staycation Ideas

Sometimes all you want is to take a well-deserved vacation from the realities of everyday life, especially with summer rolling in full swing. Unfortunately, jetting off to a faraway island is something that's not always in the cards, or perhaps not a first choice. Maybe you'd like more familiar surroundings on your time off, or you simply want to stay home and enjoy the new backyard playground you've recently added to your landscape! Oftentimes, the best vacation memories are created right at home. And if you've got an outdoor oasis in your backyard, why go anywhere else? Read on for a few staycation ideas if you're spending those extra days at home sweet home. There are so many ways that you can enjoy a little rest and relaxation from the comfort...

7 DIY Outdoor Patio Cover Ideas For Various Space & Shade Needs

Transform your patio into a protected area where you can unwind and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. With our all-season DIY patio covers, you can easily add shade to your deck or backyard. Our pergolas come in various sizes and can even be equipped with a retractable canopy for ultimate flexibility. We even have a roofed pergola that is offered with optional metal roofing for maximum shade and beauty in your backyard! Whether freestanding or attached, our quality-built structures will enhance your outdoor space and provide year-round enjoyment! Achieve Maximum Shade with our DIY Patio Cover Kits Say goodbye to sweltering summer days and hello to cool comfort with our Big Kahuna pergola kit. Designed to provide ample shade, this is the perfect solution for protecting yourself and your loved...

How to Boost Your Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a term typically synonymous with prepping your property for potential buyers. But you don't have to be selling your home to want a stand-out yard that makes your home memorable. If you're feeling like you blend in with the crowd, incorporate an outdoor structure kit in to your back yard plan and you will not be easily forgotten! A quick way to boost your curb appeal is to beef up your landscaping with a paver patio or decking and a pergola surrounded by a few of your favorite flowering plants. When visitors or passers-by see a stylish pergola perched atop a deck or patio, you'll make a lasting impression. If you're planning for a summer home sale, you may be leafing through literature on home staging and exterior...

Outdoor Patio Ideas to Add to Your Backyard Design

If you're looking for new outdoor patio ideas for your backyard, take a look a some of the customer photos! There are many suggestions and features our customers have added that are worth considering as additions for your outdoor living space. Depending on your location, winter is great for patio planning and spring and summer are often the best times to put your plan into action.  It's never too late to get started purchasing the materials to spruce up your patio or deck! Favorite Designs for Outdoor Patio Plans Chosen by our blog followers, freestanding cedar pergola kits and cedar attached pergolas offer some unique outdoor patio ideas ranging from a patio cover connecting the indoor living room to a patio, to a poolside retreat. One of the top features in our...