Mission Hills Mood
“This weekend I finally got around to sketching out the backyard…”
Okay, when I say “sketching,” I mean wildly scribbling on the back of a grocery receipt while sipping iced coffee on the deck-that’s-not-a-deck. It’s just concrete, uneven, cracked, and hot as Kansas sun. But I’ve been staring at that little stretch of space for years and wondering: what if?
What if we had real seating? What if I didn’t have to drag the umbrella around chasing shade? What if there was a space that felt pulled together and intentional?
That’s what led me down the rabbit hole and onto a page from The Decksperts — Custom Deck Building Services in Mission Hills, KS. I’ve never lived in Mission Hills, but it’s close enough to Shawnee that I trust the weather and layout similarities. And let me just say — that page felt like someone had taken the half-baked ideas from my brain and turned them into a plan.
They talk about decks being more than just platforms. (Preach.) It’s not just a place to plop a grill. It’s a full-blown outdoor living space. It’s your quiet morning nook, your Friday night wine zone, your weekend s’mores station. And the way they write about designing with climate in mind? Huge. Because Kansas doesn’t play around. One minute it’s sunny and the next it’s blowing sideways rain.
Their take on weather-resistant materials and custom designs got me thinking about how a deck can actually reflect your family’s rhythm. Like — do you want a covered deck because you’re outside all the time, rain or shine? Or do you want a multi-level space because your yard is a little hilly (ours is — one end drops off toward the neighbor’s fence like it’s trying to escape)?
They also brought up something I hadn’t thought of: stairs and transitions. Their projects in Mission Hills often include smart solutions for sloped yards, and it honestly made me see my weirdly uneven backyard as an opportunity, not a flaw. Like maybe this is our chance to do something cool and custom.
And don’t get me started on pergolas. I’ve never been a huge “structure” person (I tend to like open space), but now I keep picturing this breezy wood frame filtering the afternoon light, maybe with climbing plants… or twinkle lights… or both?
My husband keeps teasing me that I’m on a “deck Pinterest vision board spiral,” but honestly, this page gave me more clarity than scrolling endlessly through aesthetic photos. Because it’s local. It’s real. It’s not some Malibu mansion. It’s someone who gets Kansas. Someone who gets my yard.
If you’re anywhere near where I am — stuck between wanting to overhaul your yard but unsure where to start — I’d recommend giving this a read: https://www.thedeckspertskc.com/areas-we-serve/mission-hills-ks. It sparked more ideas than any mood board ever has.
Next step for me? Maybe ditch the receipt sketches and actually call someone.
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