7 Outdoor-Living Tips from Michigan Designers

Transforming your outdoor space into a luxurious oasis isn’t a daunting task for Michigan’s top designers. At Decra-Scape, we recognize that while we lay the foundations for our clients’ backyard bliss, many other experts also play important roles in bringing indoor lifestyle comforts out into the open air. 

So we’ve researched, asked, listened well, and collected 7 outdoor-living tips from some of our mitten state’s most sought-after interior designers:

1. Define Your Space

"Just like indoors, divide your outdoor area into zones for different activities—dining, lounging, cooking, and playing,” recommends Caity Smithson, founder & lead designer at Mae Proper Interiors. "Use furniture, rugs, or planters to delineate these areas. Clear pathways crafted from materials like stone, wood, or gravel can guide movement and seamlessly connect different zones."

Read more: Tips on walkways and the best paver patterns to use

2. Choose Furniture and Accessories Wisely

"Look for weather-resistant materials such as teak, aluminum, wicker, or rattan,” advises Smithson. “Ensure that cushions and fabrics are designed for outdoor use and can withstand sun and rain." 

Wendy Alterman of Alterman Interiors is also a fan of durable outdoor furniture: “One of my favorite outdoor-furniture lines for all-season use is crafted from an amazing recyclable material that can actually withstand Michigan winters for years,” she explains. “Even on a cold February day, it’s inviting to look into your backyard and see a seating area all setup and ready for a break in the clouds.” 

And don’t neglect comfort, accessories, or stylish storage solutions. 

"Prioritize comfort with plush seating and ergonomic designs, including various seating options like lounge chairs, benches, and dining chairs,” Smithson recommends. "Incorporate outdoor art, sculptures, or mirrors to reflect light and add personality. And use stylish storage solutions like benches with hidden compartments or attractive outdoor cabinets to keep your space tidy."

3. Integrate Nature

"Incorporate a variety of plants to add color, texture, and life to your outdoor space," suggests Smithson. "Use potted plants, hanging baskets, or vertical gardens to enhance the greenery."

In addition to variety, Alterman encourages her clients to look for opportunities to make plantings usable in the environment. “Consider incorporating fragrant herbs into the pots right outside of your kitchen,” she suggests. “This not only adds greenery, but also provides fresh ingredients just steps away from your cooking area."

Read more: The Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

4. Lighting

Ruth Casper of Ruth Casper Design Studio points out the importance of expert design in your outdoor lighting: 

"When designing exterior lighting, simplicity is best,” she notes. “Focus on a few architectural details and accent trees and light from the ground up. When lighting your stairs with LED lights, always use a diffuser to add softness and prevent hot spots."

Read more: Outdoor Lighting - Enjoy Long Nights & a Versatile Ambiance

5. Incorporate Textiles

“Few things bring a living space to life like a well-balanced variety of textures and surfaces,” explains Alterman, “and outdoor spaces are no exception to this. So don’t shy away from texture when designing outdoor-living areas.”

Smithson also points out the importance of incorporating textiles: "Outdoor rugs can define spaces and add warmth and texture. Choose patterns and colors that complement your furniture and overall design theme. Add comfort and style with outdoor pillows and throws, which can also be a quick way to update your space with seasonal colors or trends."

6. Consider Weather and Climate

In an article from the Michigan Design Center, Amanda Sinistaj of Ellwood Interiors suggested “letting nature take its course, while making allowances for the big swings of weather in Michigan — which includes heaters and a fireplace.”

Many of the designers we spoke to agreed: in Michigan, making an outdoor space livable means getting real about the weather.

"Invest in covers for your furniture to protect them from the elements when not in use,” Smithson advises. “Consider retractable awnings or canopies for flexibility in sun and rain protection. Extend the usability of your outdoor space with heating options like fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, or electric heaters."

Read More: Spotlight on Firelight - Gallery of Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits

7. Balance and Flow

"Maintain a consistent design theme between your indoor and outdoor spaces for a seamless transition. Use similar colors, materials, and styles to unify the look," Smithson emphasizes.

And Alterman reminded us that symmetrical layouts are not limited to indoor environments:  "A cottage-style garden is charming, but it’s not your only option in the outdoors. If you love symmetry (like I do), look for opportunities to infuse this balance into your open-air living areas, just as you would inside. In the great outdoors, the effect of symmetrical design layouts or plantings can be striking and calming."

Michigan Design Experts 

By following these expert tips from Michigan designers, you can create an outdoor space that is not only beautiful and inviting, but also functional and sustainable. Whether you're dining, lounging, or entertaining, your outdoor living area will become a cherished extension of your home.

Special thanks to Caity Smithson, Ruth Casper, and Wendy Alterman for their willingness to contribute insights to this article. For more on their design work, visit:

• maeproperinteriors.com

• thehomeandgardenshop.com

• ruthcasperdesign.com

Or, for more outdoor-living tips, ideas, and inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the Decra-Scape blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.

All About Unilock Pavers: Key Features & Main Applications

Imagine your backyard with a stunning hardscape that perfectly complements your home. But what is it underfoot that makes a great patio, walkway, outdoor kitchen floor, or other paver area?

After decades of building hardscapes for hundreds of Michigan homeowners, we’ve developed a keen sense of what makes the best paver bricks. One of our top choices is Unilock, a brand that has consistently impressed us with its quality and variety.

Unilock: Quality and Variety

Unilock has been a significant player in the paver industry for decades. Known for their high-quality products, Unilock offers a wide range of styles and finishes, from contemporary, sleek designs to rustic and traditional looks. Unilock provides options to suit various tastes and project requirements.

Key Features of Unilock

Durability: Unilock pavers are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions like Michigan winters, making them ideal for regions with fluctuating climates.

Color and Texture Choices: Unilock offers a broad palette of colors and textures, giving homeowners room for design creativity.

Technological Advancements: Unilock employs advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance the strength and longevity of their pavers.

Eco-Friendly Options: Unilock offers products with recycled content and permeable pavers, both of which support environmental sustainability.

Best Applications for Unilock Pavers

Understanding the specific strengths and features of Unilock pavers can help you choose the best products for your home and yard projects. Here’s a breakdown of some specific paver styles and their ideal applications

Patios

Unilock’s wide range of styles, particularly their sleek, contemporary designs, make them an excellent choice for modern patios. Products like Unilock’s Umbriano® offer a refined, elegant look that enhances sophisticated outdoor living spaces.

Driveways

For driveways, Unilock’s EnduraColor™ and TitanTec™ products offer exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear. Their heavy-duty pavers like Courtstone® are ideal for creating a classic, cobblestone driveway that can withstand heavy use and harsh weather.

Walkways and Pathways

Unilock offers a variety of textures and colors, making their pavers great for creating durable walkways with high curb appeal. Their permeable pavers are particularly useful for areas prone to water runoff, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Pool Decks

Unilock’s Rivenstone™ and Beacon Hill Flagstone™ pavers provide a non-slip surface that stays cool underfoot, making them a popular choice for pool decks. Their durability and minimal maintenance needs also make them a great choice for these high-traffic poolside areas.

Sustainable Projects

Unilock’s Eco-Priora™ permeable pavers are designed for environmentally conscious projects. These pavers help manage stormwater runoff, making them ideal for driveways, walkways, and patios for homeowners who prioritize eco-friendly designs.

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, the choice of pavers for your outdoor project should align with your personal preference, project needs, and budget considerations. Unilock’s established reputation for quality and their wide range of products can meet various design and functionality requirements.

For a successful project, it’s recommended to consult with a professional who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation. Decra-Scape team members can help you navigate the options and ensure that your chosen paver meets all your expectations and requirements.

With Unilock’s cutting-edge styles, we’re confident that you will end up with a beautiful and durable outdoor space that you will enjoy for years to come.
For more inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.

Create a Home Beyond the Walls: The Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

Expanding your living space doesn’t always require extensive indoor renovations and new floor plans. Sometimes, the most welcome home additions extend the warm, inviting feel of the indoors beyond the walls and into the outdoors. 

Enter the outdoor kitchen. Picture it: the sun is shining, the grill is sizzling, and you’re surrounded by friends and family, enjoying a meal you’ve prepared in the fresh air. 

While the thought of creating such a space can feel overwhelming at first, a bit of expert guidance can go a long way. In fact, many Michigan homeowners in our area have begun requesting outdoor kitchens—and have found the final result immensely rewarding. With careful planning and the right elements, you can enjoy beautiful nights and relaxing afternoons in an outdoor kitchen space designed for enjoyment and entertaining.

Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

The first step in building an outdoor kitchen is to select the right location. It should be easily accessible from the indoor kitchen, so you can easily move things like food, drinks, and dishes in and out. But at the same time, it should be integrated into your backyard's landscape so that your overall outdoor living environment remains cohesive. 

We recommend that homeowners place their outdoor kitchens near existing patios or seating areas, in order to create a seamless flow between cooking and entertaining spaces.

Key Components of an Outdoor Kitchen

The components of the perfect outdoor kitchen work together to form a functional space, providing a seamless, homey experience for homeowners and visitors alike. The key components of a great outdoor kitchen are:

Cooking Appliances: A high-quality grill is often the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen. Depending on your cooking style, you might also include a pizza oven, smoker, outdoor griddle, or other cooking appliance. Choose appliances that suit your needs and consider built-in options for a sleek look.

Traditional Appliances: More robust outdoor kitchens include many or all of the appliances and tools available in your indoor kitchen, so you can remain outdoors for every step of meal prep and cleaning. Depending on your setup and shelter, you can consider a sink with disposal, an outdoor beverage fridge or full refrigerator-freezer, and even an outdoor dishwasher.

Prep and Storage Areas: Make sure your outdoor kitchen has ample counter space for food preparation, as well as storage cabinets and/or drawers to keep cooking utensils and supplies handy. Stainless steel is a popular choice for outdoor cabinetry, due to its durability and resistance to weather.

Dining and Seating: Incorporate comfortable seating areas close to the cooking zone. A bar with stools will allow guests to interact with the cook while enjoying the space. A spacious dining table gives you the option to accommodate gatherings, and smaller tables provide cozy options for everyday use.

Enhancing the Ambiance

By adding specialized enhancements and elements, you add the finishing touches that transform your outdoor kitchen into a unique and captivating space:

Outdoor Lighting: Proper lighting brings functionality and ambiance to your outdoor kitchen. We recommend task lighting for cooking areas and ambient lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere around the kitchen. If you have a roofed structure over the kitchen or seating area, string lights or lanterns can add a charming touch.

Fire Elements: A fire pit or outdoor fireplace can extend the usability of your outdoor kitchen into cooler months. It also creates a spot for family and friends to spend late Michigan evenings gathered around a fire.

Customization and Personalization

Customization and personalization allow you to infuse your space with individuality, ensuring it not only meets your functional needs but also resonates with your aesthetic tastes. Here are some ways to tailor your outdoor kitchen to make it uniquely yours:

Material Choices: Select materials that complement your home's exterior and your personal style. Natural stone, brick, and wood are all excellent options that add a touch of elegance and durability to your outdoor kitchen.

Eco-Friendly Options: Incorporate sustainable practices by using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances. Opt for native plants around the kitchen area to reduce water usage and maintenance, or add potted plants for an extra splash of color.

Outdoor Kitchen Maintenance and Care

As with any kitchen, regular cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping your outdoor kitchen in top condition. We recommend that all owners clean the cooking appliances after each use to prevent buildup and stains. As the weather cools down, or during storms, cover the kitchen components to protect them from the elements. 

Seasonal care is also important. Before winter, ensure all water lines are drained, and cover and winterize or move appliances to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. In the spring, inspect for wear and tear and make necessary repairs.

Outdoor Kitchen, Backyard Transformation

An outdoor kitchen can transform your backyard into a functional and elegant living space. By carefully planning the layout and choosing the right components, you can create a kitchen that suits your lifestyle and enhances your outdoor living experience. 

Consult with a professional landscape designer to bring your vision to life and ensure a successful project.

Ready to transform your outdoor space with a custom outdoor kitchen? Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you design the perfect outdoor kitchen for your home. The team at Decra-Scape would love to help with your kitchen project.

For more inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.

The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces

Installing an outdoor fireplace is a wonderful way to enhance your fresh-air living space while creating a focal point for gatherings with friends and family. A well-designed fireplace can add warmth and ambiance as well as functional living space to your backyard—while increasing the value of your property. 

This guide covers everything you need to know about designing and installing an outdoor fireplace: 

• Useful features

• Design ideas

• Information on the best materials

• Tips for maintenance

• Wood storage & care considerations

Useful Features for Any Outdoor Fireplace

The features you select for your outdoor fireplace and surrounding area can help ensure the final structure’s harmony with the overall look and feel of your home, as well as its usefulness. 

Feature selection is a great place to start with your outdoor fireplace planning, so you’ve chosen all the functionality that aligns with your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences before you finalize designs. Here are some popular options:

Customized Paver Rug Patio: Enhance your outdoor fireplace area with a customized paver rug patio. Mimicking the look of an actual rug, a patio paver inset can be specially designed to complement the materials and patterns of your fireplace stone, creating a cohesive and complementary look. 

A paver rug can draw out the distinctive colors of your fireplace—warm earth tones, cool grays and blues, or whatever style you choose. The result is a dynamic look that adds visual interest as the light shifts throughout each day: as hues vary from morning to evening to night, the overall look of the fireplace area remains cohesive, and the impression of a complete and welcoming living space calls you into the outdoors.

Stone Seating: Built-in stone seating ensures you always have enough space for guests to perch around your outdoor fireplace. It enhances the look of the fireplace area while serving as an invitation for guests to relax and linger. 

Pizza Oven: Increase your fireplace’s functionality (and fun factor) by adding a place to cook amazing food! A stone or brick pizza oven is a memory-making addition to any outdoor fireplace. Bonus: it’s not just a place to cook pizza! Try s’mores, bread, and other treats as well.

Cooking Grate or Rotisserie Spit Forks: Add more cooking functionality by including specialized cooking tools in your outdoor fireplace, like grates or spit forks. This allows you to cook meals while enjoying the fire, increasing the utility of your fireplace and offering a flavor option that is hard to achieve in the kitchen. 

Wood Storage: Customized wood storage that blends with your outdoor fireplace is a highly useful feature that brings cozy visual appeal. Many homeowners opt for a wood-storage opening next to the fire itself, in a similar size and shape. But you can also get creative: add an opening on each side of the fire; juxtapose the shapes of wood storage with the shape of the fire opening; or consider different locations for wood, such as tucked-in sections under built-in stone benches.

Special Lighting: While it might sound counterintuitive to add lighting to a fireplace, special lighting can be used to highlight your outdoor fireplace as a focal point. This enhances the nighttime aesthetics and usability of your outdoor living space.

Easy-to-Clean Facing: An outdoor fireplace can easily lose its luster (literally) after a few uses. By choosing finishes for your outdoor fireplace that are easy to clean and stain-resistant, you can ensure that your fireplace remains attractive and maintains its value over time.

Outdoor Fireplace Design Ideas

Once you’ve chosen which features you want to include in your outdoor fireplace, the next step is to explore various decor options. Let's dive into some inspiring outdoor fireplace design ideas:

Outdoor Fireplace with Open Sides: A fireplace with multiple openings can be a striking feature in your landscape design. With more than one way to admire the flames and feel the heat, open sides allow you more flexibility to adjust seating arrangements and enjoy the fireplace from different angles, depending on the night's mood and the direction of the breeze.
A Perfect Pair:  Pairing a crackling fire and the tranquil rhythm of flowing water can make your outdoor fireplace environment one-of-a-kind. Try combining an outdoor fireplace with a water feature, or adding a fireplace next to an existing fountain, creek, or pond.

Sleek and Simple: A zero-bevel surface for the blocks, contrasted with stainless steel accents, creates a sleek aesthetic. This design option typically diverges from the traditional tower shape and features a shorter fireplace unit.

Furniture and Electronics: Adding cushioned outdoor sofas, armchairs, and a coffee table can create a cozy living room feel. Installing a flat-screen TV or projector screen suitable for outdoor use allows you to enjoy games and movies by the fire. And adding speakers lets you listen to your favorite music while you enjoy your fireplace.

Fire Pit: We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that a simple but beautiful fire pit could suit your preferences better than an outdoor fireplace (or in addition to it). Fire pits are positioned low to the ground, creating a space for gathering and conversation. Custom-made fire pits can be designed to burn wood or gas, offering flexibility to meet your needs.

Whatever the aesthetic, an outdoor fireplace helps you to bring indoor activities—like cooking, games, and lingering hearthside conversations—into the great outdoors. Enjoying a game or relaxing with your family around the fire extends your living space into the fresh air, giving you the opportunity to savor the beauty of your patio and the warmth of a fire.

Best Materials to Incorporate Into an Outdoor Fireplace

One of the best parts of a backyard is the unique comfort of enjoying a fire on calm, cool Michigan nights. There are many options for the materials to use in building an outdoor fireplace that complements your home. Consider these 6 best materials to incorporate into an outdoor fireplace:

Natural Stone: Natural stone is a popular choice for outdoor fireplaces because it offers many possibilities for color, size, style, and shape. It gives your fireplace a textured, natural feel balanced with a sophisticated, upscale look. The stone you choose should match or complement any stone on your house or in other hardscape areas. And mixing large and small stones can create a more varied and appealing design.

Read more: See some of the different types of flagstone we use

Bricks: Brick is ideal for creating a traditional setting, especially as an extension of a home with a brick exterior. That said, sometimes finding a size and style that matches a weathered existing brick exterior takes some extra effort, because natural brick, usually in shades of red, varies by region due to differences in the clay's mineral compounds. 

Brick fireplaces are typically wood-burning and are often built in a more linear style than stone fireplaces.

Concrete: Unlike the rugged appeal of stone or the elegance of brick, concrete fireplaces are usually built in a rectangular, linear style. While concrete is safe as it won't catch fire, it can crack during freeze-thaw cycles, making it questionable in our climate. Concrete can also be used as a base material, then covered with a stone veneer for added appeal.

Stucco: A stucco fireplace fits perfectly in southwestern, Spanish, or Mediterranean-inspired designs. Stucco is non-flammable and a good heat conductor, creating a warm environment for backyard activities. And it can be colored in almost any hue to match the existing house—from mellow tones to a bright color to help it stand out.

Materials for Outdoor Fireplace Alternatives

You may be considering a fire pit, fire bowl, or chiminea instead of or in addition to you outdoor fireplace. Here are some smart materials for these simpler fire features:

Clay: A small clay fire structure can add old-world charm to your backyard. Available in various sizes and colors, from white to tan, red, or gray, clay fire pits (often called chimineas) can be simple or intricately decorated. They are durable and can withstand high heat, providing warmth from early spring to late fall.

Modern Metal: Metal is commonly used for fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas, or tabletop fireplaces. Fire bowls and tabletop fireplaces often use propane, while fire pits and chimineas typically burn wood. Choose durable metal structures that can withstand high heat and outdoor elements.

How to Clean and Maintain Your Outdoor Fireplace

Once you've designed your fireplace and selected the right materials to complement your yard, you can ensure its longevity and performance through proper cleaning and maintenance. This will keep your fireplace safe, functional, and looking its best. 

Here’s what you need to know about maintaining your outdoor fireplace to enjoy it for years to come:

Wood-Burning Fireplace Maintenance: 

• Remove any cobwebs, debris, and old wood pieces from the firebox. 

• Each spring, use mild soap, warm water, and a stiff brush to clean away any residue from the previous winter. 

• Trim back any branches that grow over the fireplace, and ensure no vines or weeds have infiltrated any cracks.

Gas Fireplace Maintenance:

• Check the burners for clogs, debris, or rust. 

• Clean the burners with a soft brush to clear any blockages. 

• Test the fan and other components to ensure they are working correctly.

• Check the starter for any rust or disrepair.

Chimney Maintenance: 

• The chimney can harbor a build-up of creosote from the wood you’ve burned. If the creosote is more than 1/8 inch thick, the fireplace needs to be professionally cleaned. Not attending to the creosote build-up can create conditions for a fire hazard.

• Any build-up on the flue should also be removed before using your outdoor fireplace again.

Ways to Store Wood for Your Outdoor Fireplace

Every fireplace needs fuel, and you’re more likely to use it (and enjoy it) if you have a ready supply of dry, well-stored firewood. Here are some of the best ways to store firewood to keep it dry, accessible, and ready for those fireside evenings:

Long-Term Firewood Storage: 

A wood shed can be the best way to store larger quantities of firewood.

• The shed should be open on one side to allow for air circulation, keeping your wood dry and fungus-free. 

• It’s also a good idea to stack firewood off the ground, using pallets or 2x4s to create necessary airflow. 

• To prevent pests and moisture issues, avoid storing firewood in your garage or against your home.

Short-Term Firewood Storage: 

For easy access during the coldest days, consider storage immediately adjacent to the fireplace. 

• This can be accomplished with a built-in firewood cubby, as described above, or a portable log rack. 

• Always use old firewood first. And avoid spraying firewood with insecticide, to prevent toxic fumes when burning.

Have more questions for Decra-Scape about your dream outdoor fireplace? We’d love to discuss the options with you.