Hardscaping, Structures & Designs for Outdoor Rooms

Regardless of your property's size, there are some areas of your outdoor living space you'll want to screen for privacy. Whether it's a pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, patio, or just a spot for enjoying some solitude, you're going to need to figure out how to create that screen, barrier, fence, etc. Obvious ways to create privacy screens are walls,...

Whether you want to add some privacy to your spa area or are seeking a small space for a backyard retreat, an outdoor privacy screen gives you that much-needed personal space away from the view of neighbors or passers-by. Follow these creative solutions to gain some privacy in your outdoor living area.

With an outdoor privacy screen , you can add some much-needed privacy to your pool, hot tub or spa area. Maybe you're seeking a private space for a backyard retreat or a patio, deck or balcony. An outdoor privacy screen gives you personal space away from the view of neighbors or passers-by. Check out this ga

With an outdoor privacy screen, you can add some much-needed privacy to your pool, hot tub or spa area. Maybe you want privacy for a small space or certain area of your yard, patio, deck or balcony. An outdoor privacy screen gives you personal space away from the view of neighbors or passers-by. This photo gallery of shrubs, trees and other...

With an outdoor privacy screen, you can add some much-needed privacy to your pool, hot tub or spa area. Maybe you're seeking a small space for a backyard retreat or a patio, deck or balcony. An outdoor privacy screen gives you personal space away from the view of neighbors or passers-by. Follow these creative solutions to gain some privacy in...

A wall or a fence are both obvious choices for gaining privacy, marking bounaries and creating barriers. Not all walls and fences have to be typical or boring. Once you start investigating, you'll find that there are many materials and styles you can use. But if you've always dreamed of a white picket fence and it goes with the architectural...

At a loss for what you want to do with your backyard or outdoor living space? Are you tired of living in a cookie-cutter environment but don't know how to subtly break out of the mold? Ready to try something totally new, but not sure where to start?

Follow these ideas to give you ideas on where to go to for inspiration. Have fun!

Follow these simple steps to dig post holes and install posts. While this is for a pre-fabricated arbor, you can use this tutorial for decks, fences, gazebos and other outdoor structures.

Attractive landscaping stone can enhance the natural elements of your outdoor space, along with raising the value of your property. Skillful arrangements of stone and other hardscape components provide a framework for artistic landscape design. Stones can be natural or manmade, and can be used in gardens, walkways, walls, and water features.

Saunas are sometimes confused with spas or hot tubs, possibly because people refer to them in the context of taking a sauna bath. They also are used for many of the same reasons: to relax sore muscles, stimulate circulation and to get warm -- sometimes extremely warm. While a hot tub spa bathes you in hot water, a sauna bathes you in heat.

A small building, usually situated in a backyard or side yard of a home. Sheds can be simple or elaborate, small or large, store-bought or a project for the do-it-yourselfer.

Do you have a favorite local building supply store where you go to for hardscaping and landscaping materials? A place that you would recommend for a variety of reasons: quality and/or quantity of products/materials, outstanding service, low prices, helpful delivery service, etc? Let us know, and help others in your area know where to go for hardscaping and landscaping supplies. Keep it real: this…

Besides plants, there's another component for creating a beautiful landscape: hardscape. And water fountains are one of the hottest features in hardscape's repertoire. David Beaulieu, About.com's Guide to Landscaping, presents a photo gallery of outdoor fountains and water features.

Garden stepping stones aren't just made of rock or stone. Follow David Beaulieu's "recipe" for making concrete pavers or stepping stones. Enlist your children and their friends to help -- they'll actually have fun!

Wildfires can catch you offguard and rapidly change your life forever. In some parts of the world, like Southern California and Australia, there is no "fire season" -- wildfires are a year-round threat. But how do you know if your house is in a wildfire zone? Check over this brief inventory list compiled from Firewise and blank to see if your property falls in one of these hot spots. And if it do…

It surprises many homeowners that building permits are not confined solely to buildings. Even a fence must, in most cases, be permitted. Fence permitting is not universal. Some localities require it, while others don't. Also, the fence permits may be issued either on the city or county level. Here's how to find out if you need a permit before putting up a new fence.

Summertime and the living is easy. That is, once you get your outdoor space spruced-up and looking like a place where you and your gang love to hang. If have have a party coming up in a few days, follow this checklist to get your outdoor room in order. Just simple suggestions to make your outdoors an extension of your fun and comfortable lifestyle.

*The United States' second president, John Adams, was the first to occupy the White House. Since then, each presidential family has left its mark on the outdoor living spaces of the executive mansion, whether it's been through planting trees and gardens or adding swimming pools and tennis courts, or replacing them with something else. At various...

We've heard interesting facts and trivia about the presidents, their families, and the White House. But what about the White House grounds, or more specifically, the swimming pools, patios, porches, secret retreats, outdoor furniture and other features we may not know about. Enjoy these bits of information about the White House landscape, past...

Besides the White House dogs and cats the nation has gotten to know, the ample 18 acres has also seen its share of more unusual pets. Through the years, the White House lawns and grounds have been the home of horses, snakes, rare birds, domesticated raccoons, goats, sheep, and even a cow or two. Take a look at the White House menagerie for the past century or so. And remember -- we're talking abo…

If you've ever had the pleasure of spending an entire summer's worth of weekends installing fencing around your yard, you'll find that it's kind of nice to have a fence company install your fence. But it's not all smooth sailing. Here's the process.

Barkitecture 2008 brought together several of Dallas' most creative architects to create unique dog houses. The dog houses were raffled off at $5 a ticket and the proceeds went to correct the annual flooding of White Rock Lake Dog Park.

So what <i>can</i> you build with that backyard bamboo? Apparently, lots of things, like trellises, fences and outdoor furniture, according to Planet Green.

Follow along, step-by-step, as a tile-setting pro completes an outdoor kitchen project by laying tile for countertop. From <i>The Journal of Light Construction</i>.

If you live in a region that experiences a fair amount of snow, an inground swimming pool might not get used much. How about a backyard ice hockey rink? In this article from <i>The New York Times</i>, you'll learn about the growing trend and meet some homeowners who transformed their yards into hockey rinks.

Swing yourself into the season with a great-looking porch swing that can be built in a weekend or so. Download the free plans from Sunset, and create a small-space swing that will be the focal point and fun part of your outdoor living space.

If you want a gazebo in your outdoor space, you can build one from a set of plans, put together a kit, or commission an original design. Find out the pros and cons of each approach in this article from <i>This Old House</i>.