Latest news with #backyarddesign
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Year Of The Backyard: Creating An Outdoor Entertaining Hub
Photo courtesy of Last year, Thumbtack proclaimed 2024 as The Year of The Backyard, but has that trend still relevant? 'In 2024, we saw a rise in homeowners focusing on projects that improve their outdoor spaces, and as more people choose to stay put and invest in their current homes, that trend shows no signs of slowing down,' says Morgan Olsen, Thumbtack's interior design expert. In 2025, she tells me that homeowners are far more likely to focus on the home projects that bring them joy. 'Having a personalized outdoor space makes it easier to host, enjoy meaningful moments with family, and relax,' she explain. Tese are some tips to help you create an outdoor entertaining hub. Photo courtesy of A thoughtfully designed outdoor retreat maximizes aesthetics and function. In the design above, Catherine Trudeau, partner at The Outdoor Design Studio, tells me that every detail was considered to create distinct yet cohesive spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxing, all while maintaining a degree of privacy. 'A raised deck provides a graceful transition to the elevated rear entry, while a wooden slat wall offers seclusion for intimate meals,' she says. 'Below, a bluestone patio under a pergola becomes the heart of the space, anchored by a fire table and framed by hornbeams and cedar fencing for a warm, secluded feel.' Photo courtesy of For this project, Trudeau weaved hardscape and softscape togetter to create a seamless and inviting retreat. 'Working closely with the interior designer and client, we crafted a landscape that feels both lush and intentional, serving as an extension of a home designed for comfort, beauty, and everyday living,' she explains. Trudeau recommends the use of plantings to establish soft boundaries between zones in outdoor spaces. 'A screen wall offers privacy from neighboring homes, while surrounding greenery gives the impression of being fully enveloped in nature, ideal for lively outdoor gatherings,' she says. Photo courtesy of One thing that can ruin outdoor entertaining in the summer: insects. Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios for Ashton Woods, acknowledges that no one wants to share space with bugs. 'If you screen in a small patio, you are not only keeping bugs out, but creating a defined room and area for your outdoor relaxation,' she says. Photo courtesy of Screening in your pool can also make it a more comfortable place to entertain and relax. 'Screened-in pool Screenspaces are ideal for entertaining, especially with both a pool and a hot tub,' says Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors. In addition to protection from bugs, Friedman explains that there's some protection from the sun. 'And the pool deck provides room for seating and access to the house,' he adds. Photo courtesy of Friedman says he's also seeing more demand for at-home sports surfaces. 'Putting greens, basketball courts, and pickleball courts are especially popular, and make for great entertaining space.' And if you're on a budget, Friedman says you can get a similar effect; however, he notes that a properly built-in playing surface can elevate your backyard barbecue experience. Photo courtesy of Many people only consider the front yard when thinking about curb appeal. However, Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, tells me that homeowners should think about giving some love and attention to the back of the house as well. 'Consider statement paints and stains formulated for outdoor wood decks and concrete or stone patios for colorful backyard appeal,' she says. If you have a traditional home featuring neutral siding, Kim recommends making a bold statement on wooden decks and shutters by tinting semi-transparent stain to dark, rich colors like Very Black 5011-2. This hue's cool undertone pairs well with homes painted in light to medium grays and light blues,' Kim explains. Photo courtesy of 'Contemporary style homes are style chameleons and offer a chance to go bold on the exterior and energize an outdoor hangout space with a fiery color, like using a solid stain on a deck or porch in red, such as Cut Ruby 1009-4,' Kim says. Photo courtesy of According to Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen, flexibility is an asset in entertaining spaces. 'You want to be able to accommodate a range of different users, group sizes, and activities, especially if you are limited on space or budget,' he says. Lenhart admits that it's possible to go too far and design a space that's just blank. 'The trick is to be forward enough with your design to establish character, to make a real place, but not to limit your functional breadth,' he tells me. Photo courtesy of Lenhart also recommends committing to a single aesthetic. 'You don't want your ice cream to be every flavor, you want it to be your favorite flavor.' People respect authenticity and originality, and he says you don't have to reinvent the wheel, but says you shouldn't be afraid to make your space a reflection of you. 'Your own personal tastes, artifacts or references to your personal story, homages to places you love, or things you hope to do, these are all fertile ground to build a space that has a truly compelling an unique character,' he explains. Photo courtesy of However, as a general rule, Lenhart warns against barriers – using such examples as built in seating, sealing up patio boundaries, or cosmetic grade changes introduced to divide up spaces. 'Barriers separating spaces inhibit the ability to spill out of one area into an adjacent space, and in so doing, limit the amount of people that can fit in a space.' And he notes that they also pinch flow between spaces, and make areas seem smaller. Instead of lining an entire path or patio edge with plants, Lenhart recommends drop-in pockets of planting. 'Leave large gaps between to facilitate easy flow and a strong sense of interconnection between adjacent spaces,' he says. Photo courtesy of When creating an outdoor space for entertaining, keep in mind that people love options. 'An ideal entertaining yard will have a range of spaces, each offering something unique,' Lenhart recommends. 'Include spaces that feel expansive, others that are cozy and enclosed; spaces for big, medium, and small groups, as well as nooks for intimate conversations.' Another tip is to have polished and upscale spaces, along with earthy and casual space. 'Every part of the design should fit within the poles of whatever aesthetic identity you are going for, but within those poles, roam around.' These are some of the items that can help you create an outdoor entertaining hub. Photo courtesy of Impress and delight your guest with the Ninja Swirl by Creami Ice Cream Maker. It can make everything from frozen yogurt and spft serve ice cream to frozen custard to sorbet, gelato, and milk shakes. And since you can control the ingredients, you can make the treats as healthy or as decadent as desired. In addition, three's an option to scoop the treats out of the container (on the right side of the machine) or dispense single servings into ice cream cones (on the left side of the machine). Photo courtesy of The Nebula X1 Triple Laser 4K Projector will allow you to compete with your local movie theatre. The 4K projector has 3,500 ANSI lumens, and the ultra-high contrast performance (5,000:1 native contrast, 56,000:1 dynamic contrast) lets you see every shade of darkness. Google TV provides access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Hulu, and more. The projector includes Dolby Audio, 40 watts of sound, 55 Hz of bass, and 87dB of loudness for clear, realistic, and immersive sound. Photo courtesy of You'll be the mixologist in chief with the Bartesian Cocktail Making Machine. Merely insert a capsule, select a strength, and then press a button to create a cocktail, such as a martini, daiquiri, and more in just a few seconds. The capsules are sold separately, and some of the many capsules include strawberry lemon drop, blueberry lemon drop, 19th hole, cupid's arrow, Manhattan, blackberry margarita, espresso martini, passion fruit margarita, Long Island iced tea, and more. Photos courtesy of Keep the party going with the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 Portable Speaker. The Bluetooth speaker is waterproof – and can actually float on water. It has a 24-hour battery life, provides 360-degree bass, and is available in several colors. Another option is the Klipsch Detroit Portable Speaker, which has an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, and the removable strap makes it easy to transport. With a built-in microphone, you can also pause the music and take phone calls. Photo courtesy of Quickly prepare food for your guests with the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven and Grill. The large capacity interior can air fry up to 3 pounds of food, bake a 12' pizza, and more. It can roast, toast, bake, air fry, grill, broil, and keep food warm until your guests are ready to eat. Photos courtesy of Keep a breeze going outdoors with a high-powered portable fan. The Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool Mist Attachment is designed to adjust in height from a tabletop to a pedestal fan. It can be used corded or cordless (20 hours), and the misting attachment can keep you up to 10 degrees cooler. If you prefer a tower fan, the Dreo Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S can cool guests up to 27 feet away, and has 12 speeds. It's a quiet fan that can be controlled via your smartphone or you can use voice control. Photo courtesy of Your adult guests will enjoy sampling the Laithwaite's Grilling & Chilling Wine Collection, which includes rich BBQ reds and cool whites. Some of the choices in the collection are a 93-point Cabernet, gold-medal Rhône red, and more rich reds to drink with grilled treats. Guests can also enjoy 92-point New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a vibrant Italian white blend. and more. Photo courtesy of For karaoke, the Soundcore Rave 3S AI Karaoke Party Speaker helps guests loosen up. The 200 watt speaker has dynamic lights that sync with the music. Two wireless microphones let your guests sing duets as well. Also, the AI removal feature can remove the original vocals from any song selected from an app. Photo courtesy of You may prefer to engage in indoor grilling and then take the food outside. The Hammacher Schlemmer BBQ Grill Pan evenly distributes heat and reduces cooking time by up to 20%. It has a nonstock surface and is oven safe to 500 degrees F - and also dishwasher safe. Photo courtesy of Guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks will enjoy Ghia Apertif Non-Alcoholic Drinks. Free from alcohol, added sugar, caffeine, and artificial flavors, some of the options include Ghia-Ginger, Ghia Soda (citrusy and earthy), Sumac and Chili, and Lime and Salt. Photo courtesy of If you prefer to serve ready-made ice cream to your guests, pints of McConnell's Fine Ice Cream are sure to please, Some of the many flavors include Mint Cookies & Cream, Cookie Butter, Orange Cream Sherbet, Strawberries and Shortbread Cookies, Coffee with Molasses Chips, and Dark Chocolate Sorbet. The company also sells gigantic cookies.
Globe and Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Living the American Dream: Ukrainian Immigrant Maksym Kustovskyi Prepares to Expand StainlessSwim Across the US with Franchises in Multiple States
Ukrainian immigrant Maksym Kustovskyi came to America with little more than an idea, and he turned that into a multi-million-dollar design and manufacturing company, StainlessSwim. The company's founder reflects on his journey as he prepares to launch franchise operations in over 40 states. Ukrainian immigrant Maksym Kustovskyi is living the American dream. After building experience in business and construction in his native country, Kustovskyi came to the United States with an idea that he turned into a $3 million plunge pool company about to expand into a nationwide franchise operation. On the brink of such incredible success, StainlessSwim 's founder reflects on the journey that led him to this point. Kustovskyi created StainlessSwim after identifying a market gap in backyard architecture — homeowners wanted elegant pools. What they didn't want was to suffer through the often months-long process of attaining permits, excavating the land, installing the pool, and dealing with large construction teams disrupting their daily lives. 'I didn't come to the U.S. with capital or connections. I came with an idea and built a product people actually needed. That's how real businesses start,' StainlessSwim Founder Maksym Kustovskyi said. Living in Texas, Kustovskyi lived through the type of summer that must be experienced to be understood. He launched the company in 2021 and built a solid, loyal base of customers in the area who were thrilled with the easy, stress-free process and the stunning, unique pools that transformed their backyard spaces. 'We set out to simplify pool ownership,' Kustovskyi said. 'Now, anyone in America can install a premium-quality plunge pool without contractors or delays.' After establishing his company and surpassing three million in revenue, Kustovskyi and the StainlessSwim team developed a patented modular system for the unique, customizable DIY stainless steel pool kits in 2024. With options starting as low as $3,299, StainlessSwim makes premium pool ownership accessible to many more Americans. Building a successful business was not enough for the successful Ukrainian entrepreneur. He wanted to help others do the same. Now, StainlessSwim is preparing to expand into more than 40 U.S. states with a franchise model. 'We're not just building pools. We're building a system that can be replicated across the country — fast, modular, and scalable,' Kustovskyi said. StainlessSwim pools are made with high-quality galvanized steel and lined with a durable vinyl pool liner. Customers can choose various sizing options to fit their needs, from small plunge pools to larger water features for swimming laps. Pools can be placed above ground, partially in-ground, or fully recessed. StainlessSwim also provides quick installation, in as little as three days for smaller projects. Comparably sized pools in traditional styles can cost tens of thousands of dollars and take months to complete. StainlessSwim offers beautiful pools with many optional features, such as decks and pergolas, to completely transform a backyard without a huge price tag. StainlessSwim prides itself on exceptional customer service. The team actively communicates with clients throughout the process to ensure a positive experience and ongoing support. According to numerous reviews, homeowners can expect honest, hardworking professionals, an exemplary pool, and excellent support when the work is completed. Kustovskyi's passionate vision, innovative spirit, leadership, and dedication to hard work turned the immigrant entrepreneur into a self-made millionaire and positioned StainlessSwim as one of the nation's rising stars in the pool design industry. The company is poised to set new outdoor living trends in the USA and beyond as more people realize how affordable, attractive, and adaptable stainless steel plunge pools can be. 'We're redefining the backyard pool experience. Say goodbye to boring above-ground pools and stock tank alternatives and say hello to the ultimate in custom pool design,' Kustovskyi said. 'Our team is passionate about creating pools that are not only functional but also stylish and unique.' When it comes to backyard design, modular pool systems, and prefab pools, StainlessSwim has cornered a niche market. With the franchise expansion, these beautiful, long-lasting pools will soon be seen across the United States. Visit the StainlessSwim website to learn more about the company's founder or to schedule a pool project quote. Email the dedicated support team with questions. Follow StainlessSwim on Facebook and Instagram for social media updates and company news. Media Contact Company Name: StainlessSwim Contact Person: Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
CNET
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Thinking of Buying New Outdoor Furniture? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
Will this be the year you take that empty backyard space and do something with it? Spring is a great opportunity for a refresh or reset, and with Memorial Day quickly approaching, sales for outdoor furniture and accessories will be very low despite tariffs. Whether you want to host parties or just have a chill summer vibe in your backyard space, you'll want to consider a couple of factors before doing anything. I'm all for a great DIY project, especially during the warmer months. However, knowing where to even begin can be challenging. Whether you use ChatGPT or social media to find inspiration for the best layout for your outdoor space, this guide will help you gather the information needed to make your backyard space not only rewarding but also won't break your budget. 5 shopping questions to ask before buying outdoor furniture What type of outdoor furniture is best suited for my space? Before you consider buying any piece of outdoor furniture, measure the space you plan to place it in. This is true whether you intend to set up a single chair or a set of pieces. This way, you can rest assured that the products you ultimately pick will fit properly. Also, note whether your chosen location is exposed to direct sunlight. A patio umbrella or sail shade could help cool things down in those hot summer months. Over time, the sun also tends to cause colors in plastics, fabrics and other surfaces to fade. In this situation, you may want to drape items with a tarp or other covering when not used. Another option is to store them inside, provided you have room, during the off-season. Keep in mind that some materials are heartier than others. Don't plan to cover your furniture or bring it inside? Then go with tougher items made from teak or metal, not less sturdy wicker. How will this outdoor area be used? Another critical factor to ponder is how you plan to use your outdoor oasis. If you'd like to simply add seating around a fire pit, a few chairs or a couch will probably do the trick. Those with a more ambitious goal -- say, to create an outdoor dining area -- will have a heavier lift. You'll need a table large enough to entertain you and your guests along with adequate seating accommodations. Can I stay on budget and get outdoor furniture that fits my needs? It's true that you don't have to spend big bucks on an outdoor patio furniture set . Online retailers are packed with many low-cost options. That said, doing so is a bit of a gamble. Because you don't actually see and feel these products in person, it'll be difficult to gauge just how well made (or not) they really are. And if you go with more established furniture brands, expect to pay several times more for each item. One positive with considering a traditional furniture store, though, is that it'll likely have brick-and-mortar locations to visit. That means you'll get to touch, prod and examine their furniture up close before committing. Read more: Best Credit Cards for Large Purchases Enlarge Image The Abaco collection of outdoor furniture from Crate and Barrel. Crate and Barrel What aesthetic do I want for my outdoor space? Some of the more design-oriented furniture outlets group their outdoor offerings in fancy named collections. Others let you sort items simply by their material construction. The main types you typically find are basic woods, wicker and metals such as steel and aluminum. Enlarge Image Teak is a hardy durable wood that's great for outdoor use. West Elm There's also teak, which is a kind of wood. Due to its high oil content, teak is particularly adept at withstanding the elements. But since the majority of teak trees are grown on plantations in Southeast Asia, imported wood costs much more than locally sourced varieties. Ultimately, the style of furniture you settle on will be a very individual choice. I personally prefer as little ornamentation or embellishment as possible. You, on the other hand, might love the look of rattan, which apparently is all the rage. When should I ask for help when shopping for outdoor furniture? Your plans for deploying outdoor furniture may clash with the reality on the ground. For instance, you may crave a sprawling dining area complete with an expansive table plus multiple chairs to match. But while your yard has ample room, it's mostly all grassy lawn. In this case the best way to proceed is to build a paved patio to serve as a solid base for your new furniture. This is a big job though, since it'll require excavating grass and sod and laying down a bed of gravel. The area must be leveled properly, too, to account for correct water drainage. And that's all before laying down pavers. If you're not comfortable with handling any of these tasks, I don't blame you. At this point there's no shame in enlisting the help of a professional landscaper. Now that you've considered all these factors carefully, you should be well on your way to choosing the perfect outdoor furniture that's best for your needs. And just in time too for all of your spring and summer festivities.
