The Outdoor Lifestyle Blog

Recent Posts

What Type of Swing Should I Install in My Outdoor Living Space?

Posted by Michael Dougherty on Jan 31, 2019 8:04:00 AM

Who doesn't love getting on a good swing every now and again? For many, swings takes us back to our childhoods when we'd play in the backyard or go to the park just to get on a swing and imagine that we were flying. 

While you've probably given up the fantasy of flying at this point in your life, there's still something magically relaxing and even fulfilling about being on a swing. If you agree, then why don't you have a swing in your backyard living space?

Ensuring that you have comfortable seating in your outdoor kitchen is one thing, but a swing — that's another entirely.

When you're ready to install a swing in your backyard living area, the first thing you'll need to decide is what type of swing you want. Let's look at your options.

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Topics: Outdoor Lifestyle, Backyard Trends, Outdoor kitchen design

Creative Ideas for Designing an Outdoor Kitchen Your Pets Will Love

Posted by Michael Dougherty on Oct 4, 2018 8:00:00 AM

Outdoor living spaces are mostly for you and your family, but if you have a pet, there's no doubt your furry friend is included in that family category.

So why not design your backyard paradise in a way that benefits your dog or cat as well? With a backyard living space that pleases your pets, you'll be able to enjoy the space that much more!

Here are some ideas for pet-friendly design elements worth incorporating in your outdoor living area.

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Topics: Outdoor Lifestyle, Backyard Trends, Outdoor kitchen design

Make the Most of Your Tiny Backyard with These Upgrades

Posted by Michael Dougherty on Nov 2, 2017 6:57:09 AM

We love living in the San Jose area, but for some of us it means we’ve got pretty tiny backyards. (This trend is actually a fact of life for homeowners around the country, not just Californians.)

If you’ve got an itch to make your backyard into the ultimate place for relaxation and fun but feel like it’s just too small to work with, take heart! With some creativity and a few clever upgrades, you can make the most of your tiny backyard space.

Creative Landscaping

Have you ever seen an empty room and thought it looked cramped—until you fit your entire bedroom furniture set into it? Sometimes a blank, featureless space looks much smaller than it actually is. Adding a flowerbed, a garden path, or outdoor furniture can actually make your space look bigger, plus increase its usefulness.

Tired of mowing? Ditch the lawn all together in favor of a patio, deck, or even a rock garden, and use container-grown plants to add more interesting green spaces.

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Topics: Outdoor Lifestyle, Backyard Trends

What Were 2016's Biggest Backyard Design Trends?

Posted by Michael Dougherty on Dec 22, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Last year we published an article on 2015's biggest backyard design trends and you guys loved it. In fact, it remains one of our most popular articles to date!

So, since you're clearly interested in keeping up with the latest trends, here are the post popular backyard decorating, landscaping, and building choices we saw this year.

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Topics: Backyard Trends

What Were 2015's 4 Biggest Backyard Design Trends?

Posted by Michael Dougherty on Jan 7, 2016 7:35:01 AM

Have you been wanting to give your backyard a makeover but don't know where to start? Don't sweat it, we can help you out! We see a lot of backyards and can fill you in on all the popular trends, so you can rest assured you won't be missing out on anything!

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Topics: Backyard Trends