Improvements outside the home (house, landscaping, neighborhood)

[Reallybigshoe]

If you could pick one improvement you are wanting to make on the landscape outside your home this summer, what would it be? Water features? Decks? Grass?? (Haha!)

I've been wanting to add an addition to our porch and put a covering over it. If I get some time away from adding to OTHER people's porches, I'm definitely going to do it! You can't beat a cool BBQ pad.

[Lauren0319]

Outside fireplace. Not a fire pit, but a fireplace.

[rerockstar]

Fireplace and stone oven in one unit. Of course, then I'd have to put in some more landscaping, a pool, and redo my deck to fit it all together. Which is probably why I'll just try to control my weeds and get my grass back in shape (it took a beating this year).

[scuba steve]

Already got a cool pergola (can take pics if it would be of any help).

For the original question though, sometime much later this year I plan on removing the old plastic edging and installing concrete stained to match the color of the brick. I'll keep the original border locations because they were well-designed to begin with. Since the elevation difference from front to back of the front yard is about 3ft I'll build one terrace, which I'm still debating extending across the length and side of the downhill side of the house (as a small retaining wall) vs. having it flow down the natural slope.

I also have a design for a very modern-style birdbath that I plan on making later this year but I'll test that out in the back yard first.

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

Already got a cool pergola (can take pics if it would be of any help).

Pics please. I'm always looking for ideas

My project would be a built in bbq area. I already have an outdoor kitchen but I would like to do something with the bbq area.

[banker]

Originally Posted by Lauren0319

Outside fireplace. Not a fire pit, but a fireplace.

I would love to do this!!! Have you priced this?

The big plan is to extend our living area from our large covered porch with a large tiered deck and now that the kids are getting bigger the plan is to put in a play area.

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by TXtrkgrl

Pics please. I'm always looking for ideas

My project would be a built in bbq area. I already have an outdoor kitchen but I would like to do something with the bbq area.

Ok, will do when I get home. They're on my camera at the moment. I'm not sure what it cost to put up - it was built 4 years ago and in bad shape when I moved in. I blasted it and restained with the best wood stain out there.

[Allahjandro]

Last year I added a 20x10 concrete pad to the existing 10x10 pad that came with my house. I had it poured for $1300 (not sure if that is a good deal or not). It took some time but I managed to build a covered patio over the entire thing (all by my lonesome). I had someone quote me like 15K-25K to do it... I am not kidding 15K-25K!!! I ended up doing it all for under $2500 (minus the concrete) myself... Now I just need to hang the fans this weekend... if I can find the time!

I really really really want to put in a pool this year but not sure if its worth it. Would you (anyone) be more inclined to buy a house with a pool in a neighborhood that already has a community pool?

[nicholasa101]

Scuba steve- I would like to see/hear more about your modern day bird bath, we want to put one in our front garden- but I want something different. Can you share more about it?

[Torkey]

x2 on the pergola. Would like to build one with a deck and a hot tub but we'll see. I have a lot of stone siding left over from our exterior, trying to figure out what to do with it. If anyone has suggestions, i'd be all for it! lol