Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

Updated 6/20/17 | Originally published 6/27/14

Summer is upon us. It’s time to shake off “cabin fever” and enjoy spending time outside in the warmer temperatures and sun. Of course, during the summer months, our idea of a great meal is one that we cook outdoors. New appliances and concepts for outdoor kitchens are changing the way we cook in our backyards. The standard grill for hotdogs and burgers is now morphing into a the ultimate outdoor gourmet experience. If you’ve thought about spending more time grilling and dining “alfresco,” we have four design ideas for creating an awesome outdoor kitchen.

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With an open and spacious back yard, the original outdoor space behind this White Oak home seemed disproportionately small and close to the home. With no real room to do much more than grill out, the homeowners wanted to take advantage of their space by creating a sheltered area that would work for a variety of outdoor activities, and expand the landscaping outward to ensure that their outdoor entertaining didn't feel stuck to the side of the house. The new outdoor living room and patio combination is a spacious addition that's ready for anything.

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When the owners of this West Chester home made the decision to stay put for the long-haul, they knew that would mean updates to nearly their entire home, including the outside. As a couple that loves to entertain throughout the year, many of the projects have focused on changing their home to accommodate various types of hosting arrangements. In the back yard, that meant seeking solutions to expand the usable space, while balancing how those spaces will be used when it's just them. The result is an outdoor living project with a bit of everything.

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"Best of" lists are an end-of-year tradition. We look back at the year that has been to help us see a possible direction for the year yet to be. For our part in this New Year's tradition, we'd like to take a moment to look at the 5 blog posts we've shared here that you found the most helpful or relevant in your journeys to remodel your homes.

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