Custom Patio Blog

Instead of having a large house, most homeowners these days prefer a well-balanced indoor-outdoor living setup. To accomplish an equally satisfying outdoor lifestyle, one starts with patio design. In this article, get 5 patio design tips to help you get the best out of your patio!

Shortlist possible locations for your patio.

Consider where or which area of your backyard is most suitable for a patio by thinking of its closeness to any of your home’s doorways, space, the amount of sunlight and shade the space gets and the view. These factors are important in helping you figure out the proper orientation and layout of other elements for your custom patio.

Privacy screens serve a second function.

Not only do these screens give you security, it can also be a partition for your yard and using the right type, can give you shade and limit the harshest rays of sunlight from reaching you on your patio.

Take note of how sunlight reaches the area all throughout the day.

If you plan to enjoy staying in your patio, observe how the amount of sunlight your patio location gets. This will give you an idea whether you need a patio cover or not and how to arrange your patio furniture for a comfortable stay.

Pick a function you’d like your patio to serve.

Whether it’s for cooking, dining, afternoon tea, a gathering or sunbathing, deciding on this function will help you visualize a design that fits the function. This will also guide you into picking the right patio material, furniture and other furnishings.

Maximize your patio’s functionality with proper lighting.

Enjoy staying on your patio long after the sun has set with the right lights installed. With proper lighting installed, you can continue with your outdoor activities long after the sun has set.

While the pergola’s origins come from Roman gardens where it was used to cover walkways, this charming outdoor structure has evolved with the times. In this article, we share a few of our favorite pergola projects which helped bring charm back into the backyard and functional outdoor space.

A small, neat pergola sits atop a firepit haven, making the space defined yet tucked in its cozy corner. While the allotted space may be small, it has transformed and maintained a pride of the place it owns.

Keeping it protected while still having that open, airy vibe, this pergola makes the side spaces of a home more endearing with its classic architecture. Instead of the limiting solid patio cover, a pergola opens up the space, making it look larger than it is. It’s also a welcome feature since the space was intended to be a grilling station, letting all that mouthwatering aroma float freely through the open air instead of being blocked by a roof.

Covering a walkway, this pergola is also home to a woody vine which can carry its own weight. While pergola kits are becoming popular, its limitation lies in being able to support lovelier but heavier vines. If you plan to let vines and other climbing plants run through your pergola, it’s much better to opt for a professionally-installed. This will give you more freedom to choose which materials will be used in your pergola and assurance in its structural integrity. You can also have it customized to fit the space.

The mission was to make their favorite outdoor seating area, open, airy yet still shaded, and the solution was to install a wooden pergola. With its high beams and rafters, this pergola achieved providing ample shade without making the open patio feel closed off.

Being in the custom patio and deck building business, we look back at some of the most creative custom patios we’ve built all over Houston and nearby neighborhoods below.

Want to lounge by the pool? Rain or shine, you can certainly do so with this neatly covered patio outdoor space. There’s also a wraparound bar and stools surrounding the grill, perfect for a great summer outdoor party with the patio cover a seamless extension of the roofline. For the lounge area, a neat pergola is smoothly installed to provide ample patio cover. As Houston’s top custom patio builders, we always aim to work with the space you have and maximize it according to your needs.

For a family that loves to grill, a standalone custom-built outdoor room is the perfect structure to construct in their free space. With an ample seating area, a picket border, and space for a moveable grill, it easily becomes a fort for good food and great time whenever the weekend comes! This airy setup also lets smoke easily waft into the air without leaving your house smelling like grilled meat a week after the party.

This family home simply adores arbors that they had two pergolas installed. Complementing their brick border and paver patio surface, their patio remains airy and free, while still being elegantly covered against the harsh sunlight or rain. With no nearby roof to extend, a pergola provides a charming patio cover option which can easily be installed, without ruining the existing exteriors of the home.

Aside from these custom-built structures, we can also add porches, pave your driveway, create borders and build outdoor rooms, kitchens or fire pits! Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation or schedule a free in-home estimate today. As Houston custom patio builders, let us know what dreams you have of your outdoors and we’ll help you achieve its potential!

Does your patio lack the buzz and vivacious you see in home magazines? Envy no more for we bring you 4 design details that will surely make your patio pop and look full of life!

Patio Surface

Often overlooked and simply treaded upon, a patio surface highly contributes to the definition of your outdoor space. Choose a patio material that is durable against the elements yet easy to maintain. If possible, install it in a vibrant shade that packs a punch for great visual detail. Now it’s no longer a mere open space, it’s a well-defined territory.

Covered Patio

What’s the use of a well-defined territory if you can only enjoy it very early in the morning or late at night when the sun’s heat isn’t too much, right? Let a patio cover provide ample shade for your outdoor area. You can choose a mobile umbrella, a semi-patio cover like a pergola or lattice or a solid patio cover which extends your roofline.

Fire Pit

Now that you’ve got the shade element covered, what happens to those cold summer nights? Installing a fire pit is the answer. If you’re more of a night owl and love to stay out stargazing but can’t because of the chill, having a fire pit to provide warmth will make your outdoor room hospitable even in the cold of the night.

Privacy Screens

Do you have friendly neighbors who are just too friendly and keen to know you more? If you value your privacy, setting up some privacy screens can keep your home activities safe from curious eyes. Now your privacy screens not need be eyesores in your yard. You can have tall perennials planted at the perimeter of your house, some trellis covered with beautiful crawlers or even homemade murals or graffiti to provide enough interest for onlookers’ eyes and privacy for you!

Explore these 5 porch ideas for a summer-ready porch ready to make the best memories for a truly unforgettable summer season!

Hammock

Afternoon naps are best done in the comfort of a hammock. Making you feel secure and comfortable with a gentle breeze swaying you softly, feel like a well-rested newborn babe after your siesta in a hammock conveniently placed by your back porch.

Porch Swing

While a hammock may look appealing for a back porch, it might not be that attractive for a front porch. Instead of a porch swing, why not hang a porch swing for your front porch. Perfect for unwinding after a long day’s work or catching up with loved ones and friends, this porch feature will surely remind you to let loose and unwind from time to time.

Fireplace

Porches look inviting especially on calm, starry nights. However, the chill might prevent you from staying out for too long. With a fireplace by your feet or at a prime location, make your porch feel as warm any indoor room you have but with a greater view.

Screen

For those who want privacy, peace and quiet away from insects which buzz perpetually and disturb your porch stay, a screen does the job well. However, if you have pets which have the tendency to claw their way or scratch habitually, half-walled screens prevent a scratching disaster to your screens. You can also install a pet flap to let your pet come and go as they please.

Plants

Whether hanging or potted, plants give your porch a charming look. If you like an open porch, potted plants can serve as a great substitute for a screen in keeping insects far and away from your porch area. Try plant combinations like lavender and chamomile for a calming and insect-repellent effect!

The key to a great firepit is in the elements. In this article, we’ll tackle the 3 elements which will ensure you’ll have a great firepit installed.

Choose the right surface material for your firepit.

It can be brick, concrete, pavers, or flagstone. It can either use the same material as your patio surface or provide a great contrast and be a shining beacon to serve as your patio focal point. Whichever material you decide to use, make sure it’s sturdy enough to handle the heat and other weather elements that will come its way, especially when it’s on an open patio like this lone star-themed firepit.

Know which type of firepit suits your needs.

Should you install a gas-fuelled firepit or a propane one? Can you go the extra mile and use fire glass instead? Discuss the options with your contractor to know which best suits your budget and style. If you’re going for a dual purpose firepit, that might also affect the type of firepit you will install. Determine other purposes for your firepit and pick the right one which can serve you more than just providing warmth.

Complete the whole firepit experience with a comfortable lounge area.

Make lounging around your firepit more comfortable with the proper seating furniture installed. Whether it’s a rustic stone bench, a dining set, sectional sofas on the deck or even simple stools and a couple of hammocks, get ready to nestle in your firepit deck and spend hours just enjoying the scenery.

To find out more about firepits, head over to our firepit page or call us today for a personal, no-obligation consultation. Discuss your ideas with us and let’s see how we can bring your dream firepit roaring into reality!

No matter how large or small your outdoor space is, it’s only a matter of proper layout to fit an outdoor kitchen which suits your outdoor style. Read on and see which outdoor kitchen layout option best fits your space.

Freestanding Outdoor Kitchen

If you already have a freestanding patio space, you might want to convert it to the perfect retreat for your home-an outdoor kitchen! A few steps away from the main house, this covered patio hosts a kitchen and dining area where celebratory meals and drinks have been created and shared.

This full service kitchen has a running sink, making tidying up an easy chore. There are also floating cupboards ready to store and hold dinnerware and kitchen utensils. Lastly, this L-shaped kitchen has plenty of countertop space for prepping and serving meals as well as dining space.

Compact Kitchen

If a covered patio converted to an outdoor L-shaped full service kitchen is too much of a stretch for both your budget and outdoor space, then these examples of a compact kitchen will delight you.

A custom-built countertop fitting a grill, and a storage space below completes this simple but efficient outdoor kitchen space, without crowding the patio. Notice the brickwork design which renders this outdoor kitchen addition seamless.

Another seamless outdoor kitchen addition, this ingenious set up even has a small sink and a compact refrigerator. This custom built outdoor kitchen manages to achieve the outdoor kitchen goal and still have plenty of space for the patio.

Mid-Range Space

If you don’t have a covered patio space or feel like the compact kitchen isn’t your style, maybe this l-shape kitchen is the right layout for you. This L-shape kitchen has managed to combine the kitchen and seating area, creating the right mix of elements which make a great outdoor kitchen. With a stretch of countertop to the side for meal preparation, a storage cupboard below and a recess ready for a compact refrigerator, this outdoor kitchen has maximized its space. If you want this same set up or any of the other layouts above, call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home consultation!

Borders have an easy way of creating neat divisions for plants and pathways in your outdoors. In this article, we’ll show you to easily carve your curb appeal through borders.

Boulder Beauty

Boosting curb appeal, highlighting flower patches and defining the pathway: these are just three functions these borders accomplish for the home. Setting a defined space for your flowering plants avoids its encroachment on the pathway while also giving ample space for the walkway. Made with select pieces of small boulders, this rustic border easily blends with the garden plot and works as if it was there since day 1.

Curvaceous Curbs

Landscaping a yard can be an overwhelming task but when done in planting groups and yard sections, a homeowner will be able to fit all the small details one wants and still get a landscape that’s easy to maintain. For this border project, one can easily see the plant groupings. Each section has its own focal point with complementing plant varieties. Border create a stark contrast to the landscape color scheme while the undulating perimeter garden add curves to an otherwise boxed in outdoor space. If you want to introduce curves and uniquely shaped landscape sections to your yard, it’s best done with borders!

Borderline Beauty

Another curb appeal improvement brought to you by borders, these raised flowerbeds garner more attention with their defining borders. The thematic borders do a great job of keeping the plants growth fenced in while being secured from trampling. Notice how the border continues the façade aesthetics which easily ties in the flowerbeds and landscaping to the home exteriors, giving it a well-manicured look.

Boulder Border

Keep your green lawn and landscape plantings co-existing in harmony without fierce competition when it comes to getting their fair share of soil nutrients by adding a border. This allows your landscape elements to grow and thrive in harmony without encroaching on the other elements and gives your yard a neat and organized look!

Wondering what possibilities can you achieve with your pergola? Here are 5 pergola pegs which you can work after and unleash its charming effect on the overall look of your home.

Pergola as Side Roof

Instead of the side roof that splits your home into two discernible layers, a pergola serves you better with it being a focal point which bestows charm on an otherwise plain wall. Aside from its charm, enjoy a partially obstructing pergola which bestows adequate light on your pathways.

Pergola as a Hanging Post

With its ribs or lintels, you can have an array of hanging plants, orchids or even idyllic vines. Mimic the long lost open courtyards of Rome with well-manicured vines growing semi-wildly and conquering your outdoors with its wild charms.

Freestanding Gazebo

Keep the airy feel of your outdoor space with a pergola which easily fulfills its role as a roofing material. Aside from costing less, a pergola comes across as both homey and edgy enough without looking clunky in your yard.

Chic Garage

If you don’t like the oppressive feel of a garage to store your car, a pergola can house it without triggering your claustrophobia. Flexible enough to be extended, a pergola’s natural design makes itself pleasing to the eye.

Pergola Walkway Arch

Aside from a charming patio cover, a pergola also serves as a nifty walkway arch. With its sides used as stilts for lovely climbing vines, a pergola uplifts the architectural statement within your yard and in extension, your overall real estate value.

Maximize your yard potential with a pergola that easily fits your space. Whether it’s a garage, a side roof or welcome arch, a pergola is a great architectural feature to incorporate in your yard. If you’re still unsure on how a pergola can fit in your yard, schedule for a free in-home consultation today!

Bump up your outdoor style with a low-key budget for 2018. In this entry, we’ll show you how to achieve a high-end look for your outdoors without breaking the bank. Read on and find out thrifty ways to decorate outdoors this 2018.

Firepit

It does not need to be a grand fireplace to provide ample warmth for your outdoor gatherings. A small firepit placed in the prime spot is all you need to have your outdoor place heated. To save space, you can have it built into your wall, or even in the center of your outdoor table.

Outdoor Room

Ramp up your real estate value by turning your simple patio into a fully-functional outdoor room in 2018. Bring some spare comfortable living room furniture outdoor and fit it up with plush pillows for an instant and inviting outdoor living room.

Concrete Walkway

Enjoy a smoother walk or drive through your pathway by having it fully concretized. Smooth patio surfaces will smoothly sashay into vogue this 2018. And it stands to reason why concrete will reign supreme since this patio surface is beyond durable, affordable and versatile enough to accommodate any color palette you’re working with for your home’s exteriors.

Private pool

For those who love unwinding in a pool, this is the year to finally install that pool of yours. And forget about protesting about how small your outdoor space is. Thing is, the smaller your pool is, the more attractive and intimate it looks. Think that one-person sauna or bath you usually see in magazine spreads. This year, this exclusive luxury will proliferate in American homes.

Seating area

This 2018, it’s all about having durable installations for your outdoors. And it includes ample seating area. Expect different seat designs popping up from simple ledge seats to molded concrete in funky shapes and sizes.