The Backyard Living Experience
Articles and Advice for Creating and Maintaining Your Outdoor Living Space
5 Ways to Use Your Charlotte Outdoor Living Space More in Winter
We're fortunate to live in an area where temperatures can be quite nice during the day, even throughout the winter. Still, with less daylight and chilly temperatures rolling in after dark, there is a tendency to abandon our outdoor living spaces all winter long. But...
Top Question about Building an Outdoor Fireplace
Outdoor fireplaces are an impressive way to bring a fire feature to your outdoor living space. Indoors or out, fireplaces can set the mood and serve as a focal point for the living area. That is probably why fire features consistently rank as among the most in-demand...
How French Drains Work in Your Charlotte Yard
French drains are a very common solution to wet yards and foundations we see here in the Charlotte, NC area. Part of the reason there is so much trouble with water in yards is the topography of the land. Being located in the piedmont area of North Carolina (and South...
Backyard Patio Ideas
Building a patio is a major addition to your home. While about 65% of newly constructed homes in the South included some type of patio in 2017 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), that also means that 35% of homes did not. So if you are living in...
Outdoor Living Space Trends in the South
Outdoor spaces are important to those of us that live in the South. Even more important than any other part of the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. In 2017, homes completed in Southern states like North Carolina and South Carolina were much more likely...
Hardscaping in Charlotte NC
There are two aspects of landscaping to improve your yard. Grass and plants are one. Things like patios, walkways, stone borders, boulders, concrete and even gravel or metal are hardscape. Common hardscape materials in Charlotte, NC are rocks, concrete pavers, gravel,...
5 Answers to Your Fire Pit Questions + a Bonus
Fire pits are among the most popular backyard living features you'll find today. But, there are many different types and that can lead to a lot of questions. We'll answer some of the most common questions about fire pits, while providing some additional information...
Yard Drainage Solutions for Charlotte Homes
How do I improve the drainage in my yard? It is a fairly common question here in the Charlotte area. Even though a lot of yards are built with slopes, that doesn't mean the builder or the previous owner set up the drainage in the yard to work the best. In fact,...
4 Types of Landscaping Services for Your Yard
When you think of a landscaper, what do you think about? It is an interesting question because many people will answer differently. There are actual several types of landscaping services. To some, a landscaper is a person who designs landscapes and plants trees. But...
Improving Your Landscape with Walkways
Walkways are sometimes overlooked, but they play an important role in landscape design. They help you get around your yard safely, prevent unsightly wear in areas with heavy foot traffic and can add beauty and interest to your outdoor space. Places to Use Walkways in...
Sloped Yard Ideas for Landscaping Your Charlotte Area Outdoor Space
If your Charlotte area home has a fairly flat yard, then you are lucky. They call this area the Piedmont for a reason. We're not as hilly as the mountains and foothills, but there are still plenty of slopes in the Charlotte metro area. After all, that's how "Uptown"...
Pavers vs Concrete for Your Outdoor Living Space
When it comes to hardscapes, you have several choices in materials. One of the most common decisions that homeowners make is whether to use pavers or concrete for walkways, patios and even driveways. The two most common materials involved are pavers and concrete....