The Benefits Using of Tulsa Pavers to Complete Your Landscape Design Look

Using pavers in your Tulsa landscape design can offer many practical as well as aesthetic advantages over other hardscape materials.

Pavers or “paving stones” can be used in an array of outdoor living spaces such as the pool area, patios, driveway, walkways, and more. These often interlocking, modular paving stones deliver a world of durability and variety, making them ideal hardscapes to use in transforming your outdoor space.

Tulsa pavers are made using different materials such as concrete, brick, and stones such as granite, slate, travertine, and more. These landscaping elements can be laid in a wide variety of patterns and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. From an Old World cobblestone design to a modern, urban look, pavers give you the options you need to make your outdoor environment look uniquely yours.

Add more definition to your front yard.  Pavers are perfect for adding a walkway or path to your front door or great for transforming the look of your driveway. Tulsa pavers really define the look of your landscape and provide great contrast for natural elements like flowerbeds.

Driveways. Many are now opting to install pavers for their driveway instead of resurfacing or replacing cracked concrete driveways. Whereas concrete driveways are likely to crack with age, changes in weather, shifting of the soil, or under pressure, pavers can usually withstand tougher weather conditions and are often more durable and lasting than concrete.

Unsightly cracks in concrete can sometimes be hidden with resurfacing or staining, but these cracks may later return or not be completely hidden. Thus repairing or replacing a cracked or damage concrete driveway can be a major issue.

Pavers, on the other hand, are often made to be stronger and more durable than concrete. Because they are interlocking blocks, they are made to more easily adapt to shifting surfaces and changes in weather. And in the event that they do get damaged, pavers in Tulsa can easily be removed and replaced. In this way, you can remove individual pavers that become stained or damaged and not have to completely redo the entire driveway or path.

Pool and Patio areas. Building your pool or patio area with Tulsa pavers can give outdoor environment an entirely new, sophisticated look. The wide array of styles and colors of pavers available also makes them ideal to use in constructing your poolside area or patio. They are also very practical. If repairs need to be made to underground piping, pavers can easily be taken up and then reinstalled later.

Pavers have so many advantages over other hardscape paving materials. Many Tulsa homeowners are choosing to remodel their outdoor environments and driveways with these very versatile landscape design elements.

Oklahoma Landscape can design and install the best paver patio, pool, walkway, or driveway for your home. As a certified paver installer in Tulsa, our designers have been trained, tested, and certified by the I.C.P.I or Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute.

Tulsa Patios and Trends in Outdoor Furniture

Want to enjoy your Tulsa Patio even more? From outdoor sofas to al fresco dining sets, patio furniture allows many to enjoy the comforts of the indoors while being able to “find yourself outside.” So what’s going on in the Tulsa patio furniture world? Let’s look at some trends.

Basics

First, selecting patio furniture is very much an individual art. What works for one space and home may not work for another. Each designer has his or her own style and preferences and certainly should feel free to express that in their own Tulsa outdoor living space. That being so, there are some patio furniture trends that many homeowners may want to take a point or two from to join with their own style to set up a Tulsa patio space that they and their guest will definitely love.

Bigger Could be Better

Conversation sets or sectionals are popular in many outdoor living spaces. Often the life the party, these patio furniture options make for a great space for entertaining and relaxing with family and friends. Sectionals with neutral colors can be changed dramatically by simply adding colorful throw pillows, allowing for versatility with hosting.

Quality is King

Of course, you’ll want to enjoy your Tulsa patio for years to come with minimum maintenance. So no surprise that quality outdoor furniture is on the upswing. There are many high-quality, long-lasting outdoor furniture materials to choose from like wrought iron and synthetic rattan. In addition many pieces also can have weather resistant fabrics that are highly durable.  While the initial invest with these pieces might be greater, their long-term usefulness and enjoyment can be well worth it.

Out with the Old, in with the New

Modern design elements are definitely in vogue right now with patio furniture.  So if you like minimalist style and clean lines that don’t sacrifice convenience and comfort, then you’ll love much of the patio furniture selections in stores now.  Modern pieces reflect a chic, structured look that often brings cohesion and elegance to an outdoor living space.

So with all that’s going on in the outdoor patio arena in Tulsa, you’re sure to find ample reason to “find yourself outside.”

Ideas to Brighten Your Tulsa Landscape This Winter

Tulsa landscapes can look a little dreary during winter. What can you do to add a little color to your landscape, even in the bleak days of winter? We have some tips to brighten your Tulsa landscape design.

Add mulch to your garden. Mulching your flowerbed or garden during the winter can help add color to your landscape and help insulate plants for winter. Mulch also offers plants vital nutrients they will need in the spring.

Plant what will flourish in a winter garden. Some plants and shrubs can survive pretty well in the chilly winter weather and even bloom during the winter months, adding significant color and interest to your garden. Camellias are blooming evergreen shrubs that grow to be about 6 to 8 feet tall with showy pink or white flowers. There are numerous varieties of camellias including super hardy ones like “Winter Joy” and “Snow Flurry” that do well in even really cold weather. Pansies are another plant that does well even in colder weather. These cute little annuals can remain stalwart with their bright and fragrant blooms through much of the fall and winter weather.

Add color to your hardscapes. Although the plants in your landscape might not have much color, the hardscapes in your garden can shine through. Paint your fence or gate a bright color that complements your home and outdoor environment or paint your garage door or front door a bright, new color. You can also take the winter months to revamp some of your exterior structures by adding decorative hardware to your garage door or adding new fixtures to other areas of your home and landscape.

Add light to your landscape. If you don’t already have lighting in your outdoor living space and garden, why not add lighting design this winter? Professional landscape lighting design can transform your outdoor environment and create warmth and interest all year long. Plus, you’ll be able to use your outdoor living space more with outdoor lighting. The Tulsa landscape lighting design specialists at Oklahoma Landscape can help create the best outdoor lighting for your pathway, deck, or pool area to match your home and outdoor décor.

Create interesting focal points to your Tulsa landscape. Creating focal points in your garden or landscape will also add visual interest amid the dreary winter weather. Outdoor structures like gazebos, pergolas, arbors, etc. can provide interest while also being practical additions to your landscape. Building a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in your backyard will create a focal point while providing a place to relax and entertain friends, even in winter. Other additions to your garden could include statues, birdbaths, or even a decorative pond.

The Tulsa landscape designers at Oklahoma Landscape can help you create the perfect winter wonderland for your landscape and home. We can design and build complete outdoor living spaces to match your lifestyle and complement the architecture of your home as well as take care of all your landscaping and lawn care needs.

2015 Tulsa Pool Design Trends

Although you’re probably not thinking about pools yet, now actually is a great time to start thinking about pool plans for next summer. Winter is a great time to begin planning the design for your new Tulsa pool. Here are some of the latest trends in Tulsa pool design for the coming year!

Glass Tiles. 

A lot of people in the pool design industry has been talking about the use of glass tiles in place of ceramic tiles inside pools and to accent the edges of a pool. Glass tiles are more durable and less likely to crack or break than the traditional ceramic tiles. They also bring a gorgeous iridescent look to the pool, and are available in wide variety of styles and sizes.

Perimeter Overflow Pool Design. 

Known by many names such as “knife-edge,” “Lautner knife-edge,” “slot-edge,” or “wet-edge,” pools, this type of pool design is quickly becoming very popular for its “impressive visual style.” Like infinity or vanishing edge pools, knife-edge pools provide a stunning visual effect my having the water in the pool reach the same level as the pool deck creating a mirror-surface effect. This look is accomplished by having a slot edge around pool’s entire perimeter so that water can spill over into this slot. This knife-edge pool design creates an incredibly luxurious, resort-like look for the outdoor living space but does require different maintenance and construction techniques than traditional pools.

Water Features. 

Another big trend in Tulsa pool design for 2014 and going into this year is the increase in water features for custom pools. Water features like waterfalls, fountains, sconces, and other artistic and playful features are popular in Tulsa pool designs. Not only do these added features create visual interest, but the soothing sound of water trickling over stones or in a fountain creates a relaxing tone for your outdoor space. Splash pads, slides, and spraying jets can entertain the kids in this resort-like outdoor environment. LED lighting is another feature that is becoming increasing popular in pool design as are fire features.

Pools and Spas Together. 

Of course a custom Tulsa pool is great, but why not also add a spa to the pool? Today, more and more homeowners are adding hot tubs to their pool design, even adding what’s called an “illusion spa” to the pool where the spa looks like it is simply part of the larger pool. These spas have an infinity-pool type look for the hot tub and provide an elegant transition from pool to spa area.

Beach Entry. 

Another great pool design is what’s often called a “beach entry” or “zero entry” pool feature. This pool design creates a gradual slope into the water to allow swimmers to walk into the pool slowly, much like they would at the beach or allows them to sunbathe in the shallow water. Baja shelves are another pool design feature that creates a ledge or “shelf” at the edge of the pool that’s perfect for sunbathing or relaxing on lounge chairs in the water.

These are just a few of the latest trends in pool design that are sure to make a splash in 2015. The Tulsa pool designers and pool builders at Oklahoma Landscape can design and build you a custom pool to fit your lifestyle and outdoor environment. We can also remodel your existing Tulsa swimming pool to include some of these new features that will make your pool area even more enjoyable.

Ways to Enhance Your Tulsa Patio and Entire Outdoor Living Space

Does your Tulsa patio need a little makeover? We have some great ideas for transforming your outdoor environment, whether you want to just spruce up your patio a little or totally renovate your outdoor living space.

Outdoor seating. Of course, to have a practical outdoor entertaining space, you will need adequate seating for your guests, and there are many creative ways to add more seating to your Tulsa patio – from simple to elaborate. You could add benches, even storage benches, bar stools, or repurpose old chairs you already have. Outdoor sofas are a popular decorative feature of Tulsa outdoor living spaces. These sofas made particularly to withstand the elements provide a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for entertaining while better defining the seating area for guests. If you’d like more elaborate and permanent seating, you could build a sitting wall for guests. Often these decorative walls are built around fire pits or as part of a retaining wall. These hardscapes bring an elegant charm to your outdoor living space by complementing the style of your other outdoor elements.

Custom walkways. Paths that guide guests to your outdoor living space add an elegant dimension all their own. Using a variety of hardscape materials, you can build a custom walkway to your patio using pavers, stamped or stained concrete, or even just stepping stones or concrete pads.

Water features. The relaxing sound of water can add so much to your outdoor living space. Whether in a small fountain or an elaborate water feature like a babbling brook, pond, or full water garden, water trickling over stones creates an instant peaceful ambiance for your Tulsa patio.

Pergolas, trellises, and gazebos.Having a patio in your backyard is nice, but when the heat of summer returns, you may want some shade on your patio area. Pergolas and gazebos can provide some shade for your outdoor space while also adding dimension and character to your landscape. These outdoor structures help to define various areas of your outdoor environment.Pergolas are perfect for accompanying an outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Firepits or outdoor fireplaces. Nothing goes better with a Tulsa patio than a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. These bring a unique and elegant charm to your outdoor living space while affording practical warmth and a place to gather around and talk with old friends. Fire pits and fireplaces can be custom-designed and built using a variety of hardscape materials to match your outdoor living space and home. 

Flowers and climbing plants. One of the easiest ways to spruce up your Tulsa patio area is to mix in some new flowering plants. Add a flower border of annuals and perennials around the edge of your patio to really enliven the outdoor space. Better Homes & Gardens even suggested planting flowers that are known for their rich aroma such as licorice-scented sprays of hyssop or moonflowers to create a fragrant path. If you have a trellis, you can add vines or other climbing plants to accent your trellis and patio area.

Outdoor lighting. To extend the time you can enjoy your Tulsa patio and simply to create more interest and a romantic ambiance, you can add an outdoor lighting design.

The Tulsa patio builders and outdoor living experts at Oklahoma Landscape can help you create an amazing outdoor living space. We can design and build the entire space to best meet the needs of your family and that will perfectly complement your landscape and home. Call us today to see how we can help you “find yourself outside.”

What To Give The Person Who Loves Outdoor Living

Do you know someone who loves being outdoors? From biking to running to just relaxing in their outdoor living space, many Tulsa area residents love being outside in their outdoor living space. So what can you get the person who spends all their free time in the garden or who has an outdoor environment, outdoor kitchen, or fireplace?

Here are a few gift ideas. . .

Motorized Grill Brush – For those with an outdoor kitchen, this motorized grill brush with heavy-duty steam cleaning power may help you save time cleaning. This motorized grill from Brookstone has a built-in mist sprayer that turns to steam on the hot grill to loosen tough grease and then the motor and dual stainless steel brushes scrub for you. For the man who loves to grill, this may be just the gift. (brookstone.com)

Sundial – A classic piece for any garden, this polished brass sundial found on http://www.yardenvy.com can either be placed on the ground or used with a pedestal. Keep track of the time and seasons with this sundial that bears the poem, “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.”

Gardening Book: Fine Foliage – Better Homes & Gardens recommends the book Fine Foliage by Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz for any gardening enthusiast. The book provides guidance on plant combinations and container gardens. (amazon.com)

Herb Garden – Does the person love fresh herbs? Help them start their own herb garden with Rootcup. Grow herbs or succulents in these small sub-irrigation plants made of durable, BPA-free, food-grade silicone that won’t scratch your countertop. (rootcup.com)

Backyard Movie Theater – This is something for the entire family. Show movies in HD in your own Tulsa outdoor living space. With a flat screen, WiFi Bluray player, and speakers, you can have everything you need to watch a movie or play Xbox or Wii right outside. (amazon.com)

Cooler Dining Table – For the person who loves to throw a great pool party, this 3-in-1 table with hidden ice cooler is perfect. Use it as an outdoor mini-dining table or as a side table for food and drinks. With a built-in ice cooler, this table is essential to your next pool party. (brookstone.com)

These are just a few of the great gifts you can find for your Tulsa outdoor living enthusiast. Of course, a great gift for the entire family is a complete outdoor environment with a custom pool, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor kitchen. At Oklahoma Landscape in Tulsa, we can design and build your family the perfect outdoor living space. Call us today at 918.296.9679918.296.9679 for more information.

Tulsa Landscape Design – What to Do and What Not to Do

Everyone wants their landscape to look inviting, unique, and beautiful, but landscape design in Tulsa can be tricky. Before you revamp your landscape, remember these landscaping guidelines to ensure your outdoor living space looks its best.

Landscaping Do’s . . .

Do carefully create a landscape design plan before you begin, even if you plan to do different aspects of your plan in different stages. While you may not need to plan out every single plant to include, you do need to plan where the main hardscape features and various groups of trees and plants will go.

Do use local plants, that grow well together naturally in your area, and that match the architecture or style of your home and outdoor environment. Native plants will be more resistant to disease and often may require less watering. Grouping plants together that have similar watering or sunlight requirements will make maintenance easier.

Do use interesting pavers or stone to add texture and color to your landscape when building your walkway instead of just concrete.

Do consider how your family will want to use your landscape in the years to come. Do you kids like to play ball in the yard? If your family has a dog, consider how your dog will interact or be affected by the various plants or landscape designs.

Do consider and plan for how trees and plants will mature over time. Research how big trees, shrubs, and plants will grow when they are fully mature. Will they block out sunlight or be too close to your house when they are full-grown?

Do plant to add winter interest. Plan out which trees and plants will bloom at different times during the year and plant these so that when one group stops flowering, you’ll still have color and interest in your landscape. When choosing flowering plants, pick mostly perennials instead of annuals so that you don’t have to buy them again next year.

Do make it easy for guests to find your front door. Sometimes homeowners may want to make several paths or walkways through their yard, but make sure visitors can easily navigate and clearly see where they should go.

Do make sure to think about proportions in your landscape. You’ll want to keep all the landscape elements in proportion, not only with your home, but also with each other so that the elements don’t seem haphazardly placed.

Landscaping Don’ts . . . 

Don’t plant trees too close to buildings, or plant shrubs or other plants too close to walkways. Research how large the tree or plant will grow when it’s mature so that it doesn’t overtake your home, interfere with the foundation, prevent you from easily passing by on your walkway, or make your home look smaller than it is.

Don’t forget about the maintenance required for each plant or shrub. Consider whether you will have time to regularly trim shrubs and trees. This is especially true with ivy growing on your house. Will you be able to keep the ivy pruned so that it doesn’t overtake your home?

Don’t try to plant too many varieties. While you need enough variety to create interest throughout the year, too many varieties of plants will take out the “design” look of your landscape and make it look disorganized. A simple landscape design with just a few varieties and even a main color theme can create a modern look and feel.

Don’t get caught up in using a landscaping fad, especially for hardscapes. There may be bold new color or design trends in hardscape materials, but especially with these permanent features of your landscape, you’ll want to use materials that won’t soon become outdated.

While you can use these few guidelines to create a great landscape design with interest and balance, having a landscape design professional help will take much of the stress and work out of the project.

The Tulsa landscape designers at Oklahoma Landscape can design the best plan for your landscape using these and many other landscape design techniques to create an engaging outdoor space. Let us help you build the perfect landscape and outdoor environment for your particular home and lifestyle.

Landscape Lighting – Why Vital for Your Tulsa Outdoor Living Space

Often, when people think of an outdoor living space, they only think of the landscaping or hardscape features – the plants, outdoor kitchen area, walkways, or pool. But there’s another important aspect of landscape design – outdoor lighting.

Landscape lighting is a vital part of your Tulsa landscape design. Landscape lighting serves so many vital functions in your landscape, especially when most homeowners just get to enjoy their homes at night or on the weekends. If you don’t have outdoor accent lighting, then you’re not getting the full benefits from your outdoor living space.

Outdoor lighting offers safety. One of the most important advantages of having Tulsa landscape lighting is the added safety and security it provides.  With properly placed outdoor lighting, guests can walk safely down a stone pathway or garden stairs. Visitors can also be safely guided to your front door or down your driveway with the right landscape lighting. If your children get home late after practice, outdoor lighting can also help to keep your children safe as they enter the home.

Burglars are often also deterred by a well-lit home and landscape. It’s important to keep areas by doors and shrubs well-lit so as to prevent thieves from having a convenient hiding place. Landscape lighting can also help prevent your home from looking unoccupied and thus more of a target for burglars.

Landscape lighting showcases the beauty of your outdoor environment. Outdoor lighting can help to accent certain important aspects of your home or outdoor living space. It really can transform the look and feel of your landscape and make it come alive even more.

“Soft lighting in a dark outdoor environment is nothing short of magic. It provides a warm, inviting ambiance that beckons us outdoors,” The Landscaping Network noted. “It creates mood, romance, and drama. It adds interest and intrigue to any settling.”

No wonder then that, as The Landscape Network added, nightscaping is “one of the hottest trends in outdoor home improvement today.”

But as they went on to mention, landscape lighting can be a challenge for homeowners to install by themselves. Knowing where to place the lighting and what landscape elements to highlight can be tricky. Professional Tulsa landscape lighting installers like those at Oklahoma Landscape use specific methods and techniques to achieve the right look and feel for outdoor lighting. The style of the landscape lighting should really complement the architecture and personality of your home.

Balanced lighting can really enhance your pool, outdoor kitchen, or other landscaping or hardscape features, but this landscape lighting also needs to take into account changes that could happen to your landscape over time or throughout the various seasons.

Outdoor lighting allows you to get full use out of your outdoor environment. Tulsa landscape lighting is key to getting the most benefit from your outdoor living space. Especially when the days get shorter, landscape lighting can help you to still be able to entertain family and friends outside comfortably. Outdoor accent lightingalso creates the perfect atmosphere for entertaining, bringing a lively feel to your outdoor living space.

There are so many great reasons to have landscape lighting designed and installed in your outdoor environment. From increasing safety and security to allowing your landscape to really come alive at night, custom outdoor lighting is a must for your Tulsa home and landscape. Talk to our Tulsa landscape lighting specialists today about the custom designs they can create for your home.

(First photo by Stephen Calsbeek)

Tulsa Pool Builders Discuss the Advantages to Having a Custom Pool

Now is actually a great time to start planning for next summer, especially planning your new swimming pool. Yes, the weather here in Tulsa is getting pretty cold, but it’s still a great time to get started on planning. The Tulsa pool builders at Oklahoma Landscape can begin designing the best custom swimming pool for your landscape.

Why build a swimming pool for your Tulsa home? Is it worth the investment? Here’s just a few of the reasons many have chosen to build a pool in their Tulsa backyard. 

Your own resort – right at home. 

Staycations are increasing popular. Many Tulsa residents love the convenience of having in their own custom pool. And custom Tulsa pools today are much more than they used to be. These pools can be part of a complete outdoor resort with infinity or vanishing edges,waterslides, waterfalls, zero entry or beach entry, tanning shelves, and other features. Today’s custom pools can have all the amenities you’ll find in a world-class resort hotel pool –except you don’t even have to leave your home. Thus, these custom pools also allow you over time to save money on expensive family vacations at resort destinations. Escape after a long day or long week at work and relax in your own custom designer swimming pool.

Perfect for entertaining. 

Whether you’re throwing a party for your children or entertaining friends, colleagues, or clients, a custom pool makes the perfect backdrop for entertaining guests. Have a barbecue by the pool in your nearby outdoor kitchen or watch the game by the pool in your custom outdoor environment. Whether guests take a dip in the water or just relax by the pool and talk, your custom swimming pool becomes the centerpiece for a great evening of entertaining.

Increase the value of your home with a pool. 

Although pools are an investment, they can significantly increase the value of your home and property.  They also make your home more attractive to buyers if you later decide to sell your home. Building a pool in your backyard is a great investment that will last and provide years of family fun and entertainment.

Have fun as a family. 

Swimming pools provide families with a fun activity they can all do together. Spend more time together as a family during the summer in your own backyard outdoor environment. Create lasting memories for years to come with your pool and outdoor living space.

These are just a few of the many reasons Tulsa homeowners decide to build a pool. To ensure your pool is ready for next summer, start planning now! The Tulsa pool builders at Oklahoma Landscape can help design a custom pool to fit your lifestyle and landscape. We can design and build an entire outdoor environment for your home complete with an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, outdoor kitchen, dining area, and much more!

A Custom Tulsa Patio Creates an At-Home Outdoor Living Retreat

Custom patios for Tulsa homes can be so much more than a simple spot outside to grill or place a few lawn chairs. Today, patios act as the foundation for purposeful and functional outdoor living areas that are the hub of activity for the family.  

These custom Tulsa patio areas serve as an extension of your indoor living space, and offer the perfect area for outdoor dining, relaxing, entertaining, and much more. Thus, not only do they provide more functional living space, but they can significantly increase the value of your home and property.

Although many people view patios as mere concrete slabs, patios in Tulsa can be custom designed using a variety of attractive materials including pavers, flagstone, brick, stamped concrete, and cobblestone. These patio materials can be chosen to match the architecture and style of your home.

While the patio can be built as a direct extension of your home, it can also be built away from the home as a completely separate area in order to create a focal point in the landscape. Also, instead of one large patio area, you could separate the patio into multiple outdoor living spaces based on how you want to use your outdoor living area.

Patios become the foundation for a world of outdoor entertaining. They become the basis of a luxury outdoor kitchen or outdoor fireplace.  The design of the patio sets the tone for the outdoor environment, and the materials used can determine what theme the outdoor living space will have – whether modern, Mediterranean, Old World, Tuscan, etc.

Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces have really become popular in Tulsa as places to gather, relax, and entertain friends. There are a variety of different styles of patios and outdoor living areas to choose from depending on their function. The Landscaping Network lists the four most popular patio styles as dining patios, bistro patios, living room patios, and sundeck patios. Whether you implement one style and function or incorporate all of them into your outdoor environment, good planning is key to an effective and inspiring outdoor retreat.

Thus, having a Tulsa landscape designer help with the planning and building of the patio and outdoor living space can really prevent problems and create the most durable and most valuable outdoor environment. The landscape designers at Tulsa’s Oklahoma Landscape can design a patio to match your home, your landscape, and how you want to use the space. Thus, a well-planned patio and outdoor environment can considerably enhance your home and help you get the most use from your backyard area.

Call Oklahoma Landscape in Tulsa today to see how we can help you create the perfect outdoor living space – starting with a well-designed patio area.