Clark Outdoor Designs

Adding a stone pathway to your yard is a great way to boost its natural charm. In Dallas, materials like flagstone and slate are top picks because they’re ruggedly beautiful and blend naturally with the environment. Flagstone, for example, is incredibly strong, especially when you use slabs that are at least 2 inches thick (to avoid cracking). You can create a polished mortared look or employ a dry-laid style -there’s an option to match every taste and budget. Spacing stepping stones 4 to 6 inches apart can give your pathway a playful vibe, while gravel paths are a budget-friendly choice. If you want to add a pop of color and texture, try pairing slate pathways with creeping thyme between the stones. You’ve got lots of great options. Let’s look more closely at a few examples. Installing Stone Pathways in Dallas Landscapes Natural stone pathways bring a touch of elegance to an otherwise plain and practical part of your landscape design. In Dallas, stone pathways fit right in with rustic...

Want to turn your backyard into your own private retreat? Enclosing your backyard with a classy, stylish fence seals off your space from prying eyes and allows you to block out visual and auditory distraction from your outdoor experience. Almost every yard in Dallas has a fence already, but sometimes they’re only chain-link or shorter 6 ft fences that leave your space open to public view. Sometimes they’re just old and ugly and detracting from your curb appeal (and your own experience). Upgrading your fence isn’t just about marking property lines — it’s about creating a space where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy your slice of Dallas without feeling like you’re on display or looking old and tired. Why Dallas Homeowners Are Prioritizing Privacy If you’re living in DFW, you’ve probably noticed how neighborhoods keep getting tighter. Between busy streets and houses built closer together, privacy isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. A good fence does more than block views; it muff...

Retaining walls do more than just hold back soil. They can transform awkwardly sloped yards, create multi-level landscaping beds, and even protect your soil from erosion. For local homeowners dealing with shifting soil and our occasional downpours, retaining walls are often the best solution to a big problem, but they have the potential to be a standout part of your landscaping as well. What’s a Retaining Wall? A retaining wall is a structure made of stone, brick, concrete, and other materials designed to hold back soil, prevent erosion, and level out sloped areas. It’s an excellent way to manage uneven terrain, or create space for patios, gardens, and other landscaping features -exactly where you want them in your yard. How Retaining Walls Work Retaining walls have to be sturdy. They’re designed to withstand the enormous pressure of soil constantly pushing against them for decades During construction, drainage systems are integrated into the wall to handle heavy rains and prevent wate...

Outdoor kitchens have come a long way, evolving from basic grill setups to stunning extensions of your home. Over the past decade, they’ve become a must-have for homeowners who love blending indoor comfort with outdoor living. With over 40% of homeowners investing in specialty cooking stations like wood-fired pizza ovens, smokers, and teppanyaki grills, the art of gourmet under the open sky is more popular than ever. In 2025, outdoor kitchen trends are all about seamless indoor-outdoor spaces with equal parts style and function. Whether you’re dreaming of an high-end smoker or planning an eco-friendly installment, this year’s trends reflect a shift toward going gourmet in sustainable style. The Evolution Of Outdoor Kitchen Design Outdoor kitchens have become a staple of modern backyards . Over the past ten years, they’ve evolved from glorified BBQ stations to into a full-scale al fresco dining experience. The 2000s: Weather-Resistant Luxury In the early 2000s, the introduction of weat...

When designing a patio for your home, you’ve got to take Dallas’ extreme weather into account, if you want it to last. All patios are made of solid, durable materials, of course, but there are unique characteristics and upkeep requirements for concrete, brick, stone, and the rest. Plus, different surfaces offer different levels of comfort and safety, which tailor them to use around areas that are frequently wet or potentially icy, like around pools, spas, and garden beds. Let’s look at each of the different materials you can use when building a patio and compare the various strengths and weaknesses of each, under these conditions. (Read the original post on Medium) The Impact of Hot and Humid Summers DFW’s scorching summers can be tough on patio materials. The goal, when building a patio, should be to select materials that can take heat while keeping your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. For an example of how not to do this, think about traditional concrete surfaces under direc...