What is the perfect way to enjoy fall outdoors? First, you will need a patio or deck, add a fire pit or fireplace, some cozy seating, and a partial roof over the space is a plus, for those uncertain weather days. While some homeowners decide to go full kitchen for the outdoor space, others creatively…
Decks with a roof are popular options for Pacific Northwest decks, since we get a lot of rain, but summers can be a bit too bright and hot. The perfect solution is a roof over part of the deck. This family wanted to expand their covered deck area, so the outdoor kitchen would always be…
Spring will be here soon, and people are thinking about how to get more out of their outdoor spaces. The traditional deck is a sure winner, but you can take it further if you want more relaxing and less work. The outdoor kitchen takes the concept of the backyard barbecue a step further. A roof…
If you prefer a patio, which is built at ground level, then you won’t need to refinish any decking material, nor will you need railings. The perfect patio might have a roof, to keep things cool during hot summer days, and allow you to use the patio even on rainy days. It can be fun…
Making the most of space in the home is now extending to the outdoors, as an increasing number of homeowners are looking to entertain, spend time with family and just relax in their yards. The outdoor room often includes amenities that go beyond the paved patio and deck chairs to include fire features, fountains, hot…
If the summer feels like it’s passing you by, and you still don’t have an outdoor kitchen, then you need to start planning and budgeting for it. After visiting with friends and family who have outdoor cooking and seating areas, you long for something similar for your own home. It’s a good idea to plan…
So Whatcom county has had it’s first scorcher of the summer this year; those days of hot weather may have some of you wishing there was a roof over the patio or deck. In our climate roofs over outdoor spaces are guaranteed to be well appreciated. For most of the year we deal with rain…
Most of us, when we think of using our yards for barbecues and visiting with friends and relatives, probably think of patios and decks. But there is another option that may work for you, pergolas. What is that, you ask? A pergola is a freestanding structure built on your property, without walls, but with a…
Decks and patios are one of the reasons most of us prefer to live in a house instead of a condo; we can enjoy the outdoors right off the kitchen or other rooms that open onto the deck. So, now that you have a deck or patio, how to make it more pleasurable to be…
Have you found yourself wanting to spend more time outdoors, now that the weather is warming up? Many homeowners feel the same, and to do that, are having outdoor kitchens built. An outdoor kitchen varies from a simple deck with a barbecue, in that there may be counters, built in cooking appliances, small refrigerator, and…
Here are some things to think about before getting too far into this project: Exactly where the outdoor kitchen will go in your yard. The ideal size and layout of the space and the overall look and feel you want. If summers are hot where you are, muggy or rainy, the kitchen will need to…
Studies are showing (and it just makes common sense) that since most of us have had to spend a lot more time at home, we are thinking about how to make the home work better for us. This means setting up an exercise room, improving the general layout of the home, taking over a space…
Even if you are having your BBQ with just your immediate family, the time will come when you can have a large gathering. For now, prep for the immediate summer as well as the future with a new deck or pergola. Decks, patios and pergolas are simply a matter of preference; which do you see…
This time of year we all like to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. If we can do this while munching on some barbecue . . . well, what could be better? Decks can be anything from a foot off the ground, to a concrete patio, or an elaborate, many-levels deck with built in benches…
With longer days and warmer weather, many of us long to spend more time outdoors, and that includes grilling some veggies and/ or burgers on an outdoor grill and relaxing on the deck. For outdoor kitchens, the only real must-haves are a great grill and a sink, and some counterspace, of course! But when budgets…
Whatever your budget, an outdoor kitchen can be built to fit. Sometimes, it’s a simple deck with a roof and portable barbecue; for others, it can be nearly as elaborate as the indoor kitchen, featuring a sink, refrigerator, and oven. For those with the budget, it can be nearly a full-scale kitchen built on the…
Summers are much better when your home has a well-designed deck. Decks are wonderful for having backyard barbecues and summer parties. Add some lawn chairs, a stereo, a grill and friends and family! Humans used to spend much more time outdoors, and it still draws us out of the house. There is just something about…
Whew! We are having a very dry, warm summer here in Bellingham – instead of being unhappy about the heat (Bellinghamsters are not used to heat – temperatures over 75 for more than a couple of days are traumatic), have your backyard renovated into an outdoor living space. It can be an outdoor kitchen, complete…
A kitchen is the coziest space in a home and we all love gathering together there and eating something delicious. But summer is the time to enjoy fresh air and sunlight in gardens and on patios. That’s why an outdoor kitchen is such a great idea! An outdoor kitchen gives an opportunity to enjoy staying…
Enjoying your yard shouldn’t require a lot of work! With a deck or patio you can create an outdoor living space, ready for use anytime you are in the mood. Adding a covered portion of the space and you can have a year-round outdoor room. A fireplace and roof or heat lamp will make that…
On sunny days, our thoughts turn to the great oudoors; so it’s only natural that when we get home, we hate to spend our evenings in the kitchen. Make your patio or deck into a cozy outdoor cooking and eating area. A trellis with green vines will shade your deck, or have a roof built…
Outdoor kitchens can be added to any deck; they can be as small as a barbecue and a counter or as elaborate as a full outdoor kitchen complete with refrigerator, sink, oven, and seating area. Outdoor appliances must be purchased for outdoor installation. They are sturdier and freeze-protected. Piping for water, waste and gas will…
It’s time to get serious about outdoor dining! The sun is shining here in Whatcom County, and we are chomping at the bit to warm up our barbecues. But what if you plan for a weekend backyard party, but the weather doesn’t cooperate? What you need is a patio roof. Skylights or transparent roofing give…
Socializing with friends and family in your new outdoor kitchen will really make your summer. And with a roof you can extend your outdoor parties almost year round. Well, actually year-round here in Bellingham, as we have mild winters! Outdoor kitchens can be small and simple or as elaborate as any indoor kitchen. Typically they…
Is this your year to have that outdoor kitchen built? Outdoor kitchens range from a simple built-in barbecue with a counter on each side, to a full-blown kitchen with sink, outdoor refrigerator, and all the amenities of the indoor kitchen. With the right setup, you can entertain through many seasons. Your outdoor kitchen can include…