Porches are the best outdoor additions you can have that give you the best of your indoor and outdoor setup. A porch easily extends and maximizes the surrounding areas of your house for your comfort and enjoyment. Read on and find out which is the best porch to build for your lifestyle.

Front Porch

If you receive a lot of visitors or callers, having a front porch allows you to receive them in your house without having to let them in your home and save you from last-minute cleaning all the time. Comfortable seats and enough air circulating courtesy of a ceiling fan will make your visitors most welcome and give them relief after their travels. A lovely front porch is a friendly feature that shows how hospitable and approachable you can be.

Back Porch

For long, lazy afternoons spent in quiet and private enjoyment, a back porch gives you a comfortable spot that is a continuation of your indoors leading onto your outdoors. A back porch can be suited up just like any front porch but more attuned to your personal creature comforts. Whether it’s your favorite couch or seat, back porches allow you to customize your own outdoor seating room just the way you like it away from prying eyes.

Screened-in Porch

Love staying outdoors and sitting out to stargaze but hate insects ruining the moment? A screened-in porch will solve that for you. Screened-in porches adds more indoor comforts to your outdoor space while still retaining that outdoor feel.

Wraparound Porch

Entertain guests, keep some space saved for private enjoyment, and enjoy the view all at the same time with a wraparound porch. Maximize the perimeter area of your house, especially if you have a spectacular view surrounding your house you shouldn’t miss. Whether it’s a lake, river, or bay, enjoy it from almost any point of your house with a wraparound porch.

The outdoor fire pit is a classic fixture in any outdoor room and so are the designs available for it. Looking for a modern twist to the traditional outdoor fire pit setup? Here are three options of a modern fire pit that’ll have you enjoying your outdoor stay in warmth and style.

Smokeless Fire Pit

If you love basking in the warm glow of a gently roaring fire pit but are concerned about the smoke, smokeless fire pits are your best bet. Giving you warmth and ambiance without the smoke is definitely a great upgrade from traditional fire pits that emit too much smoke which can bring tears to your eyes and soot that blackens and darkens nooks and crannies. You can also have smokeless fire pits which allow for cooking or transport.

Fire Glass Fire Pit

Another smokeless, odorless option is to use the eco-friendly fire glass for your fire pit. However, you will still need gas as fuel for your fire pit. To lessen the amount of fire glass needed to cover your fire pit, you can have a filler installed in the fire pit. Ideally, the filler tray should be an inch or two higher from the base of the fire pit. Used the right way, fire glass can last a lifetime. However, beware not to use fire glass in wood-burning fire pits.

Spherical Concrete Fire Pit

Perfect for those seeking a compact fire pit solution that also has a modern twist, a circular concrete fire pit conserves space while also being an effective focal point. Its smooth curves will give a good contrast against the crisp sharp lines that fill a lot of modern patios.

Need more ideas on modern fire pits for your outdoors? Contact us today to bounce fire pit ideas with that will fit both your patio and budget.

Getting an outdoor kitchen installed is a big deal. If you’ve been thinking about starting your outdoor kitchen project this year, here are some important questions you may have answered and clarified.

Should an outdoor kitchen be covered?

Yes, it is recommended to have your outdoor kitchen covered. Whether it’s having a patio cover or a weather drape that’s sturdy enough for any harsh weather element, a cover will help protect your outdoor kitchen, appliance, and surfaces from aging and deterioration.

What is a good size for an outdoor kitchen?

A good size for an outdoor kitchen depends on what your outdoor cooking needs are. If it’s for basic grilling, enough space to fit a built-in or freestanding grill and some counterspace will suffice. However, if you want to cook and entertain at the same time, a grill space, countertop, and dining area will need a larger space out of your yard.

Can you use a regular grill in an outdoor kitchen?

Yes, a regular freestanding grill can also be used instead of a built-in grill. Built-in grills are recommended to save space but if your area can accommodate a regular grill, then it can be installed. Some customization can also be done to your grill cover to provide counterspace for both sides of your grill.

Can you grill under a pergola?

While it is possible to grill under a pergola, some precautionary measures must be checked first. See whether the area under the pergola has enough space to allow a grill to be placed in and far away from the posts or beams. The height of the pergola must allow the smoke and heat to escape easily and not reach the beam, rafters, and lattice.

Is it okay to grill inside a screened porch?

It is not recommended to grill inside a screened porch as the screens won’t allow the smoke to escape the enclosed area easily. Smoke and grease stains will also mark your porch and leave traces of the grilling long after the event has concluded. However, if you really are keen on grilling inside your screened porch, a proper ventilation system can siphon the grill smoke outside, preventing any damage to your ceiling and porch. It will cost more though but you’ll get a good grill without ever having to step out of your screened porch.

Outdoor areas can range from a strip or side yard to a modest backyard or even a wide expanse with slopes and multi-level areas. No matter the size of your patio, there is a landscape design that can fit your outdoors. Reclaim yours now by finding the right projects for your patio size below.

A Patio Strip or Side Yard

These small and narrow strips beside or behind a house may be the most overlooked and underutilized outdoor areas. Aside from a simple walkway, one can transform this strip yard into a meditation space, reading corner, or breakfast nook. If you find peace and calm by hearing water, ask your contractor how you can put a small water feature in your meditation space. A comfortable swing or seat and small table can be the best spot to curl up with a book or take an afternoon nap. Folding tables and chairs are best for a pop-up breakfast nook that can easily put away when not in use.

Backyard Space

A backyard space can be transformed into an outdoor kitchen, dining area or living room. An outdoor kitchen, depending on the cooking appliances and features. The most compact of outdoor kitchens can fit a strip with enough countertop while some prefer a standard L-shape for more counterspace and storage. Create outdoor dining areas or living room that are spacious enough by choosing the right patio dining set that fits your space.

Sloped Yards

Decks and steps go hand-in-hand with sloped outdoor areas. Instead of leveling the yard, work with your landscape artist to choose the most level area for a deck and design steps to make the area easily accessible. Sloped yards also make it easy for each plant to be noticed so think of it like a tapestry that needs to be filled out evenly.