Pergolas Pavilions & Gazebos: What is the Difference? 

If you are looking to enhance your backyard experience this year, you may be considering a popular landscaping design option: a free-standing or attached outdoor structure. Pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos are all popular options. You want to make an informed decision about your outdoor living area, and choose the best option for you. What IS the difference between the three? At Outdoor Innovations, your Quad Cities landscaping designer, we can help you understand one from the other! 

Learn the difference between pergolas pavilions & gazebos in this helpful infographic.

Pergolas, An Eye-Catching Choice 

Pergolas are a truly attractive option to feature in your backyard, for your patio, or as part of your garden. Pergolas consist of support beams that are topped off by a grid pattern made of beams and rafters for a roof. The roof is often left open but can be covered to provide shade and protection for the elements. They can be either attached to your home as an extension of it, or stand alone as a backyard enhancement. You can do so much with Pergolas, they can be surrounded by, or even have garden and landscaping running through, or can be used as a seating area for eating or entertainment. The sky is the limit to this eye-catching option. 

Pavilions, Strong, Sturdy, & Versatile 

Looking for a real statement for your outdoor living adventures with your family? Get the benefits of protection from the elements with a strong and sturdy pavilion. Think of a pavilion like an open building, open on the sides, but with a roof on top. Pavilions invite your friends and family in to stay awhile! They can be used for a beautiful dining area, a walk up bar, an entertainment area with a TV and seating, and so much more! With many styles to choose from, you can find the perfect addition to your backyard landscape. 

Gazebos, Useful & Beautiful 

Gazebos are freestanding structures that are often hexagonal or octagonal in shape that have a roof. Often there is seating inside. They can also have shading such as latticework or can be screened to provide protection from the elements. Gazebos make a beautiful addition to a garden area, or fit in to your custom landscape design. Beautiful and inviting, these outdoor structures make a wonderful gathering space, or a romantic (at home!) getaway for two.  Gazebos, like pergolas and pavilions can be custom designed to match your home’s aesthetic so they fit perfectly into your outdoor living concept.

Trust Outdoor Innovations for your Landscape Design Project 

For your home in the Quad Cities, you can trust a local leader in landscape design, Outdoor Innovations. We have extensive experience in building pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos to incorporate into your backyard’s overall look and feel. We specialize in working closely with you to come up with a plan that you can visualize clearly before your project even begins. We offer many additional services as well such as hardscaping, poolscaping, and fire & water features. We encourage you to browse other projects that we have done, either in our blog, or on our YouTube channel for inspiration! We are also here to answer your landscape design questions. Do not hesitate to contact us regarding your ideas, we are here to help! 

5 Ways to Use Artificial Turf in Your Yard

Are you looking for the next big thing in outdoor living? Are you a golf enthusiast, or want the perfect poolside setting? Consider artificial turf for your yard. Create your ideal outdoor paradise with artificial turf from Outdoor Innovations! Here are some great ideas to give you some inspiration. 

Putting Greens

Love golf but do not want to have to go to the course or driving range all the time? Enjoy putting at home with a putting green from Outdoor Innovations. We can add a putting green to your outdoor living space to provide great golfing recreation any time you want! 

Poolside Paradise

Liven up your poolside experience and enjoy the safety that artificial turf provides all around your backyard pool. Artificial turf not only looks beautiful, but provides a comfortable surface for bare feet, without the safety hazard of hot concrete. 

A Patio that is Green All Year 

Couple artificial turf with your backyard patio and you can enjoy the green beauty all year around. Turf is low maintenance and long lasting, making it ideal for your backyard getaway. A great compliment to outdoor fire features and water features, you can create the perfect outdoor living area with this versatile landscaping option. 

For the Sports Enthusiast

Have a passion for soccer, football, or other sports? Artificial grass can be a great addition to your backyard that allows you to enjoy your favorite sports throughout the seasons of the year! Set up a soccer goal and kick the ball around with family, or throw a baseball back and forth any time. 

From Bags to Bocce Ball

Take outdoor recreation to the next level with fun games set up on artificial turf. Horseshoes, bocce ball, or bags, the sky’s the limit. Invite your family and friends to a cookout and play games to your heart’s content. Your backyard will be known as the place to be! 

Considering Artificial Turf? What is Your Dream? 

These are just a few ideas of how you can utilize artificial turf in your outdoor living area. Do you have a dream for your backyard? Let your imagination run wild! Contact Outdoor Innovations today to discuss your ideas. We can create a design that is perfect for your family. We look forward to hearing from you!

Need more inspiration? Check out some of our projects on our YouTube channel! To see a video of a putting green project, click here

Beauty Built to Last: Pergolas and Pavilions

Add Beauty and Functionality that Lasts With Pavilions and Pergolas from Outdoor Innovations 

The first thing that strikes you when you see pergolas and pavilions in someone’s backyard or outdoor living space is that it is a beautiful centerpiece that everyone can gather around. What may not be as obvious is the fact that when you have your pavilion or pergola built by the professionals at Outdoor Innovations, that beauty you see is built to last! Strength is the central component that our structures are built upon, and the result is a place for your family to enjoy for years to come. 

Structures Built for Extreme Weather

In our latest video above, our owner Ken speak about some of the structural components that make up our latest pavilion build. In this, our last pavilion of 2021, you see that the construction supports:

  • Extreme snow loads: This pavilion can handle 40 pounds per square foot. 
  • High winds are no match: Our final pavilion of 2021 can withstand wind speeds up to 125 miles per hour. 

This can be seen in the 8×8 posts wrapped in red cedar, the braces and the joists, and throughout this solid design. This family will come out on the other side of winter each year with their outdoor living area ready to enjoy, and during spring storms will have no worries. This pavilion can withstand anything that Mother Nature can throw at it! You can view some of the photos below that feature examples of where this structure gets its strength:

Customize Your Pergolas and Pavilions to Fit Your Dream

This pavilion will feature a TV with entertainment area, outdoor grilling island, bar island, and more, all placed around a gorgeous stamped concrete pad. You too, can have the outdoor living area of your dreams. We can work with you to design your own customized getaway with features such as:

And of course, we can build a be a beautiful, strong, pavilion or pergola to gather around with your family. Contact our professional team today, we will work closely with you to create a plan, come up with a 3-D rendering of your design, and plan at time that is perfect for you to complete your project. There is no dream to big or too small, and we would love to work with you! 

To learn more about Outdoor Innovations, see more examples of our work, learn tips and tricks for your outdoor areas and more, visit us on Facebook, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Love the Outdoors? Extend Your Outdoor Time With a Pergolas and Pavilions

Pergolas and Pavilions Give You an Outdoor Room Feel

We can all agree that fresh air heals the soul and makes us all feel more alive! Spending time out in the fresh air, be it warm summer air that we are currently leaving behind, or crisp fall air that we are now enjoying, just feels GOOD. You can extend your time in the outdoors at home with a new pergola or pavilion installed by Outdoor Innovations. There are so many options, colors, and styles, that there is one that is just right for you and your family. Want to know more? Here is everything you need to know about pergolas and pavilions! 

They Can Have Heaters and Ceiling Fans Installed

The changing seasons can be tricky! In the summer the heat can be an issue and as the months cool down, chilly weather can keep you indoors. Outdoor Innovations can install heaters for the cold months, allowing you to remain outdoors enjoying your outdoor living space. For the warm months, ceiling fans can be put in to move the air and cool it making your space comfortable nearly all year around! 

You Can Mount a TV for a Cozy Movie Night

Can’t get enough of a good movie or never miss a game? You can take your theatre experience outdoors at home! We can create a space to mount a TV so that you can watch the big game with your friends, or settle down with an exciting movie with the family! Your pavilion or pergola can be the perfect outdoor entertainment area with the added bonus of fresh air. 

Create a Intimate or Cozy Setting

Outdoor Innovations can make your pavilion or pergola the ideal intimate or cozy setting. With the addition of lighting to enhance the atmosphere, by adding a bar area with bar stools, or with comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture, you can really personalize and elevate your space. Even put in a warm and cozy fire feature to brighten those cooler days and nights. 

Too see examples of all the various options that are available from Outdoor Innovations scroll through these photos of pergolas and pavilions below:

Enjoy an Outdoor Room Feel With Pergolas and Pavilions

When you put everything together, then you have a superb outdoor space with the feeling of a room, an extension of your home. Outdoor Innovations can complete the area with patio pavers, outdoor grilling areas, landscape lighting, and so much more for a full experience that will leave you wanting even more of the outdoors. Our pavilions and pergolas are manufactured by Country Lane. Country Lane has been building some of the finest quality backyard structures in the Industry since 1994. These structures are durable with long lasting beauty. If you are interested in adding one of these stunning structures to your outdoor living space, then contact us today! Let us know if we can help you fulfill your outdoor dreams. 

The Power of Landscape Pavers to Transform a Space

Outdoor Innovations Brings you the Best in Landscape Pavers Design

If you are living in the Quad Cities and have an outdoor living space that you would like to update, consider the power of landscape pavers to absolutely transform your look and feel! At Outdoor Innovations, we work with, and design patio spaces, pathways, cooking areas, patio extensions, driveways and so much more using natural stone pavers that bring natural beauty to you home. The design options are only limited to your imagination!

Landscape Paver Style Options

Landscape pavers come in an amazing array of colors, styles, and shapes. So we can work together with you to create a beautiful area that is 100% your style, while also being unique and eye-catching. Some examples of paver styles are:

  • Permeable
  • Tumbled
  • Classic
  • Contemporary

When planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, or any other part of your outdoor living space, we consider it a collaboration with you. We will come up with a design together with you, and then we will create a 3-D rendering of what your space will look like. Once complete, we can get started on your work so that you can soon enjoy your amazing transformation!

Bring Home the Power of Pavers

At Outdoor Innovations, we get so excited when we get to transform a space for our clients. In our experience, landscape pavers make all the difference in making your outdoor living space a fully finished outdoor haven for family and friends to relax and enjoy. If you would like to design your own outdoor living space, contact a member of our team today to get started. Click the button below to set up an appointment!


If you would like to learn more about Outdoor Innovations, visit us on our Facebook page. You will also find informative videos with job features, and more on our YouTube channel so stop by and check it out! We hope that you will enjoy and subscribe.

Enjoy All that Outdoor Living Has to Offer

Outdoor Living Areas from Outdoor Innovations

Fall offers cooler and more comfortable temperatures, which gives us the opportunity to spend some much needed time in the outdoors. There is no better way to do this than in your own outdoor living area from Outdoor Innovations. You can enjoy all that outdoor living has to offer right in your own backyard. Recently, the team at Outdoor Innovations completed a new outdoor living space for one of our clients. In this case, the client gave Ken and the team ideas of what they wanted to see in their space, providing for some creative freedom, and the collaboration turned into this beautiful example of what outdoor living can be! See our latest video below:

Features of This Outdoor Living Space

This space will serve the family very well as the fall season approaches! It includes these features:

Raised Bar Island: This client wanted a nice area for the family to sit and enjoy their big screen TV while they have a bite to eat or enjoy a beverage. The team added a beautiful raised limestone bar island to which attractive bar style chairs were eventually added.

Seat Wall & Raised Planter: To add beauty to the three large deck poles behind the raised bar island, the team installed the seat wall and raised planter to serve as a resting place as well as to display colorful flowers to brighten the area.

Paver Area (near grill): Manufactured by High Format, this paver area was placed between the concrete pad that already existed, and the paver patio beyond. Adding a visual boost the the grilling area, these 30×30 square, large slab pavers give off just the right touch in the right spot.

Pellet Grill: Manufactured by Coyote, this pellet grill is sure to please. For this grilling area, we installed the pellet grill into an island, that also includes a drop in cooler, and will also feature a enclosed trash bin. Setting up this family for some fun outdoor cooking, and wonderful shared meals.

Paver Patio With Vinyl Pergola & Gas Fire Pit: This area really speaks for itself! The large paver patio provides a large area for entertaining. Surrounded on two sides by a seat wall, this area is made for the fall season. Cozy up next to the warm fire in the gas fire pit, inside this stunning vinyl pergola. There are memories to be made in this space for sure!

Concrete Pad: We installed a concrete pad so in the near future this family can enjoy a hot tub/spa in this space. This will be a favorite spot for all, we have no doubt!

Serving Island: This island also has a great limestone countertop, and features a outdoor refrigerator, drop in cooler, and trash bin. Entertaining will be a breeze with these added features. Let the good times roll!

Cobalt Blue Pots: We think these marvelous blue cobalt blue pots we found for our client are the icing on the cake for this space. They add the finishing touch bringing the overall look together. If you like these we can find something special just for you too.

What is Your Dream?

We always ask the question “What is your dream?” The wonderful thing about outdoor living areas is the sky is the limit, what is in your imagination can be done. So let us know what would allow you and your family live your dream. Contact us today to discuss your perfect outdoor living area. We would love to collaborate with you to create a plan. We will then draw up a 3-D rendering of what your space will look like. The only thing left to do after that is make your dream a reality. Let us know what we can do for you!

To check out more videos that feature additional projects, learn more by visiting our YouTube channel.

Fall Fire Features!

Bring Out the Best of the Season With a Fire Feature From Outdoor Innovations

Ah Fall! So many of us are lovers of this beautiful, cozy time of year. It is a time to look forward to hot chocolate and hot apple cider, hayrides, pumpkins, brisk air, and so much more. Most importantly, it is a wonderful time to gather around a warm inviting fire feature from Outdoor Innovations. Fire features are a place to gather and take in the splendor of fall in your own back yard. What is not to love? Here, in our latest video, you can see examples of our some of the fire features we have created:



Fall Fire Features for Any Taste and Style

An amazing thing about fire features is they truly are customizable to your taste and style. We can create yours to fit right into the landscape of your current backyard, or we can update your outdoor living space. No matter the size of your backyard or outdoor living space, we can add a fire feature that works for you. We have a lot of options such as:

  • Wood burning fire pits
  • Natural gas fire pits
  • Permanent seating such as seat walls
  • Landscape lighting to enhance the space
  • Outdoor fireplaces
  • Fire bowls & fire tables

Do You Want to Enjoy Fall to the Fullest?

If you are starting to imagine what your fire feature could look like, and your family gathered around it, then we would love to hear from you. At Outdoor Innovations, we can work closely with you to create the perfect area to enjoy fall with your family. We will plan the fire feature directly with you, then come up with a rendering of how it will look. Once done, we can get to work! All you will have to do is get the hot chocolate or apple cider prepared, and get ready to set the chairs out by the fire so you can enjoy the warmth for years to come. Contact the professional team at Outdoor Innovations today, we would love to work with you this fall!

To learn more about Outdoor Innovations and our team, or to see examples of featured jobs, and more, visit us on Facebook, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Creating a Cozy Outdoor Living Space

Every Family Needs a Place to Unwind, Just Like this

During the spring, summer, and fall (and maybe even a bit of winter!) everyone could use a special place, that is all theirs, to unwind. This rings especially true for outdoor living spaces. Recently, the team at Outdoor Innovations was lucky to build such a space for this family’s home. We were able to create a cozy, fun, and functional outdoor living space that is the perfect spot to unwind and relax, as well as play and be entertained too! Check out our latest video for a tour:


Features For All to Enjoy

We were able to take this backyard space from simple to spectacular by adding some great features. When all of them are put together, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy, for all the seasons.

Pavilions

For this space, we built a strong and sturdy, yet elegant pavilion to house their seating area. This pavilion is manufactured by Country Lane, and is stunning! In this space we added an area built in beautiful stone for their TV that has functional lighting to add ambience as well. Topped off with a fireplace to cozy up to as fall arrives, it’s the perfect spot for a movie under the stars, or to enjoy watching kids play nearby.

Outdoor Kitchen Ammenities

This family will be able to enjoy some tasty meals alfresco using their outdoor kitchen amenities. Using complimenting stone to the patio area, a stainless steel grill by Coyote, was added to the space as well as a drop in cooler and trash receptacle. The drop in cooler is highly functional, you just add ice to keep food and beverages cold, and use the built in drain when you are done! The outdoor lighting was added so cooking can happen from day into evening. Everyone will want to be the chef in this home!



Fire Features

This project includes two fire features. Right outside the pavilion, there is a stunning square stone fire feature by Warming Trends, that is highlighted by well placed lighting. You can have a fancy bonfire nightly! Of course you cannot forget that cozy fireplace, for lounging with family and friends as the evening light fades to night. You can really stretch the seasons with the use of warm, inviting fire features. With fall on the horizon, it is easy to picture the changing leaves and a mug of hot cider by these fires.

Basketball court

Ready for the perfect family activity, or a bit of B-ball practice? We included this great basketball court for the enthusiasts in the family. The kids can play nearby in the play area or grab a few hoops or a quick game on the court. Memories will definitely be made in this outdoor living area.

Landscaping

This area would not be what it is without the finishing touches of well places trees, shrubs, stone and more. The landscaping was completed with the full space in mind, down to the stepping stones creating a quaint path with more pretty lighting showing the way. The patio itself is constructed with quality brick from Unilock. This space was created so this family will have a place that is all their own, and we are so happy we are a part of it.

Looking for a Outdoor Living Space All Your Own?

At Outdoor Innovations, we always say, “If you can dream it, we can create it”. Nothing would make us happier than to create a space that is just for you, built on your dreams. We are passionate about building you something special. Bring your dreams and ideas to us, and we can collaborate with you to create a plan, build a 3-D digital model of your space, and then bring it to life. We love what we do, and we are happiest when we see a happy family that has a new space to enjoy for years to come. We hope we can do that for you! Contact us today to get started!

To be the first to see our latest videos including our latest Inspirations! and job features, subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Inspirations! A Winery At Sunset

Take a Stroll Through the Old Oaks Winery Project With Ken

We recently had the privilege of working with our client The Old Oaks Winery, which is a work in progress and will open to the public in the near future. When asked to create the outdoor patio and landscaping around the building, we jumped at the chance! To give you an idea of it’s beauty, we stopped by at sunset to give you a glimpse into how wonderful a venue this will be, and to take in the sights of this lovely atmosphere! Take a stroll with Ken as he gives you a tour of the patio area by watching our latest video:


The Winery Features

When collaborating on a design for the patio and surrounding area, we wanted to create an atmosphere that you will want to stop….and stay! We are proud to say that is exactly what we accomplished. This winery features:

The Old Oaks Winery's beautiful oak trees are brought to life at night with well placed landscape lighting.

The Winery’s namesake: The Old Oaks. We were able to capture the majesty of these gorgeous old oak trees with landscape lighting that draws your eye in the fading evening light. The winery is named for these towering beauties, so we had to make sure everyone could enjoy them day, or night!

This beautiful pottery gives the winery old world charm.

Well placed pottery brings old world charm. The client requested some pottery that gives you an old world feeling, and we feel these gorgeous pieces with bright colored flowers transport you to another time and place. Here, you see them in the entry to the winery.

A comfortable raised patio overlooks the two stunning fire features at the winery

A patio you will want to spend your entire evening on. This raised patio with subtle lighting and comfortable seating, looks out over two additional seating areas with stunning fire features. Once you sit and relax here, you may never want to leave!

The landscaping around the sign at the winery is attractive and inviting to all passers-by

An inviting view for all who drive by. The entrance at The Old Oaks Winery is surrounded by attractive and inviting landscaping that draws the eye of every passer-by. This beautiful winery is hard to miss!

Well lit paths for strolling amongst the oaks. Enjoy your glass of wine, and stroll around the well lit oaks while you take in the calm beauty of the evening. At this winery, you will definitely have a night to remember!

Inspired? Let Us Know How We Can Collaborate with Your Business

Once the Old Oak Winery is open, we have no doubt it will be a draw for every wine lover, and a venue to remember. We were very proud and happy to work on this project, and with more to come, we cannot wait to see what the future holds. Now that you have an idea of what we can do, we would love to hear from your business to see how we might collaborate with you and make your dreams come true. Contact our professional team today and let us know what you imagine. If you can dream it, we can make it a reality for you!

To learn more about the team at Outdoor Innovations, our projects, tips and tricks for your lawn or garden, and more visit our Facebook page, or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Outdoor Living Area: The Putting Green Project

He loves golf, she loves to entertain, so we created the perfect outdoor living area that will help their family make memories for years to come! At Outdoor Innovations, over the past two years, we have discovered that people are returning to a simpler time where memories are made and good times are had at home, in your own backyard. When we embarked on what we affectionately dubbed “The Putting Green Project” that was our goal for this lovely family Take a look at our latest video for a tour of this amazing outdoor living space, we hope that you find inspiration, and ideas for your own home!


Features of This Outdoor Living Area

This backyard has it all! There is something for everyone:

This outdoor living area features not one fire feature but TWO!

Not just one fire feature, but two! There is one fire feature enhancing the beautiful water feature and colorful flowers surround it, as well as one built in under the big flat screen TV in the pavilion. This feature is reminiscent of an indoor fireplace to cozy up to year round, making this entertainment area extra special!


Relax to the sight and sound of water with this beautiful water feature.

A stunning and colorful water feature. Nothing says “relaxation” like the sight and sound of our water features. Now this family can relax in comfort with this beautiful addition.


No outdoor living area is complete without an entertainment area!

A pavilion with cozy furniture and entertainment area. Perfect for movie or game night, we built this eye-catching pavilion and outfitted it with a big screen TV, comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture. Don’t forget that 2nd fire feature to finish it off! Makes you want to stay outside all night!


A cooks dream: This area has a grill, refrigerator, and beverage cooler.

An outdoor cook’s dream! Here you see the cooking area, including the grill, beverage cooler, and refrigerator. With ample countertop space, and the nearby bar area, the whole family will jump to be cook for the night!


LED lighting enhances your outdoor living space well into the night.

Gorgeous, well placed LED lighting. All around this amazing space, we installed LED lighting to bring out the beauty of the evening so fun can be had at all hours. It is so easy to imagine unwinding with your family under a star lit sky, when you see this image!


For the golf lover, a putting green!

We saved the best for last! For the golf lover in this family (and it could be yours!) we constructed this professional grade putting green. Be ready for the golf course with practice at home, or just have fun putting with family with this special feature!


What is Your Dream?

Now that you have had a chance to see an example of what we can do for you, what is your dream? At Outdoor Innovations, nothing makes us happier than seeing the smiles on our clients faces when we complete a project. Knowing that the family we have worked with will enjoy their outdoor living area for years to come, while making new memories is what we love about what we do. Contact us today to discuss what inspires you and your dreams for your home. We can sit down together and design the perfect space for you!

To see the latest projects from Outdoor Innovations, keep up with our latest videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel. We hope to see you soon!