Custom Patio Blog

There is a firepit design here for every outdoor setup and homeowner needs. Whether you have more of an open patio setup, an outdoor room or want a combination of both, a firepit provides a warm welcome that will make you want to stay outdoors for longer. Read on and see which firepit style suits your outdoors.

Open firepit

This home’s outdoor patio has the fireplace as the center of attraction, spreading warmth all over. To the side there’s a compact kitchen to serve their feasting needs. As you grill your meats, there’s no need anymore to dart inside for warming up when the firepit is gently roaring away to provide adequate warmth.

The Wall Fireplace

This spacious outdoor patio evokes the sense of the indoors while giving you well-framed unobstructed views of your outdoors. The fireplace is installed into a patio wall which not only blocks strong chilly gusts from reaching you, it also gives off the right amount of warmth to your direction. Perfect for your late night tête-à-têtes, stay outdoors and converse for longer with this cozy outdoor setup.

Firepit Centerpiece

A unique take on the firepit, this outdoor room has taken inspiration right out of a Korean hotpot place and created a hot roundtable trend. While other outdoor rooms might have a selection of fruits or a vase full of flowers as a centerpiece, this one has a firepit for the centerpiece. If you like having family and friends bonds over food outdoors, always have ample space and the right amount of warmth for everyone by having a firepit that’s close enough for everyone. This way, the warmth will easily be distributed equally all around the table.

Whichever firepit or fireplace style you choose, one thing is for sure, the cold will never bother you anymore this holiday season!

Trick your passersby with these creative design treats for your porch and yard décor ideas this Halloween. With a few sick twists and clever imagination, you’d be able to transform your porch into a wholly different dimension in no time.

Dilapidated Delight

While looking spic-and-span is the normal standard for most of the year, November and Halloween gives you a free pass on letting those cobwebs run wild on your porch. Now we are not suggesting to skip cleaning at all in October for a cobweb-filled November. A quick faux cobweb spray and some plastic spiders to create some hair-raising décor enough to spook people out.

Nefarious Nest

Turn your humble porch and yard from a birds and butterflies paradise into a raven and bats’ nest. You can pin or hang simple black cutouts all over your porch and yard to make your place look littered with these creatures of the dark.

Geometric Tricks

Take your Halloween décor to a different level and play tricks with their eyes. Have those visual geometrical illusions printed out and laid all over your porch and yard and let the passersby trick their minds on their own. Now that’s a visual treat that’s enough to trick people on their own.

Witch’s Lair

If you have a black cat, the design is halfway done. Encourage your mystic black cat to lounge oftener on your porch with comfortable perches. Add in a dubious box filled with faux entrails and eyes, a cauldron brimming with treats and a broomstick neatly parked by the door.

Death’s Doorstep

Turn your home’s façade into Death’s receiving area. Put a black robed skeleton and a faux scythe sitting comfortably in your porch. Complete the setting by setting up some false headstones littering your front yard. Put some Jack O’Lanterns full of treats and there’s a complete trick-or-treat experience waiting on your porch.

Fond of hosting a barbecue party but not so fond of the lingering smell in your kitchen days or even weeks after the event? Then do all that aromatic grilling outdoors courtesy of your outdoor kitchen. From a compact L-shape kitchen to a standalone outdoor kitchen in your shed, here are 5 ways you can install an outdoor kitchen according to your available outdoor space.

Mini L-shape outdoor kitchen

May it be your backyard, front patio or by the driveway, this L-shaped compact kitchen can surely fit most outdoor space. There’s even space for a mini-fridge which can easily store your drinks or meats. With this setup, quickly set up your grilling station and serve it hot and fresh off the grill style!

Full outdoor kitchen

Got a shed which hasn’t seen too much action yet? Then why not convert it into a full blown outdoor kitchen? This outdoor kitchen installation is complete with a single stove burner, sink, and multi-purpose grill. With a marble tabletop and backsplash, we’re sure this outdoor kitchen will last many a grilled barbecue party!

After seeing that expansive outdoor kitchen above, you might think you’d need a huge space for installing one. However, this one shows how a small space in between patio columns. For those pressed for space but would still love to have an outdoor kitchen, identify the function you need. Whether it’s a simple grill station, an outdoor cooking area or a baking one, pick which kitchen function you always do and prioritize that feature when planning or consulting with your outdoor contractor.

No matter how big or small your allocated space is for your outdoor kitchen, the Houston Patio team can and will make it work according to your specified needs.

When heavy rains set in and your basement starts to accumulate rainwater, you can do nothing but bail out water to keep floodwater down or pray that the rains stop soon. But before that happens, here are some steps you can actually do to waterproof your basement before it becomes the muddy indoor pool you never wanted.

Install floor drains!

Floor drains is a must when you have a basement. Not that you’re not trusting your house structure but providing a pathway for your water will make sure it won’t linger in your basement. Aside from having it, consistently check your floor drains for dust and lint buildup. Take extra care as it might also become a potential breeding ground for insects and pests.

Check for cracks in your basement wall.

Your basement might already be weatherproofed but as time goes by, something will eventually weaken. Routinely check your basement walls for small cracks and holes which can let rainwater in. Seal it shut or get help from experts on how to handle it. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

Build both exterior and interior drainage systems.

While the exterior drainage system is ideally built away from your housing structure, interior drains connect to the exterior one. Making sure your basement is fortified in and out will give you a peace of mind.

Outdoor drainage system matters just as much as indoor does.

Make sure your indoor drainage system is properly connected to your outdoor one. Make sure there are no leaks and every pipe is tightly sealed in place.

Get the drainage system experts to do it for you.

While there’s good in doing it yourself, years of experience will still be invaluable when it comes to waterproofing your place. So make sure to take advantage of our no-obligation consultation so that your drainage system won’t end up costing you more than you saved when rain time comes and it fails.

Wondering how you can upgrade your patio to something more useful and oriented to your lifestyle? Here are some of Houston Patio projects you might want to look at. Be inspired and design your patio according to your needs like these homeowners!

Tea Patio

Convert your patio space into a day lounge or sunroom by putting some comfortable furniture. For sweltering summers, install a ceiling fan to keep the atmosphere light. Set up a small tea table for tete-a-tete or afternoon tea time with friends and loved ones.

Patio kitchen

Love hosting get-togethers? Set a portion of your patio space for an outdoor kitchen. From a small fridge to a built-in microwave and even a small grill and stove top, you’d have the makings of a kitchen facility enough to handle a small party’s food needs. Now you won’t have to worry about fitting people in your home with an outdoor kitchen and patio that serves all your hosting needs!

Grilling Station

If you have a standalone patio, why not convert it from a mere viewing place to your own personal grilling station. This solves the soot and lingering odor problem sticking to your home’s exterior, too! Fit it with a portable grill, some seats and a table and you’re all set for some steak feast!

Summer Sala

If your home’s interior become too stuffy during summer, then why not consider converting your unused patio to a summer sala? So long as it’s amply provided with shade, bring some sturdy seats outdoors or even a day bed or two and you’re all set to enjoy the summer weather. You’d also get to save on your bills.

Tanning Patio

Love to have that golden glow but can’t get away from home? Then why not set up a tanning bed by your patio, lather up some oil and bask in the sun? Or simply do some reading or lounging by your patio outdoors for a simple rest and relaxation treat!

Dark summer nights abound. Though the starlit sky is charming to look up to, groping your way around outside the dark is not so comforting. When night falls, keep your patio shining with these fabulous lighting ideas that’ll make your outdoors shine all the better this summer.

Hanging Mason Jars

Clear glass mason jars can be great light containers. From candles to solar powered pebbles, mason jars create a neat vintage look for your lighting concerns. Now, rain or shine, your outdoors will be lighted all throughout the night.

Colored bottle disco

Flood your outdoors with colored light, transporting you to another plane when darkness sets in. Choose colored wine bottles and have it screwed to your fences, walls, or your pergola for an ambient outdoor lighting setup.

Brick candle holders

If you have some leftover bricks from paving your patio, drill some holes in it and voila! you have some rustic candle light holders. Bask in the soft mellow candlelight and unwind after a full day at work in your ambient outdoors.

Bench lights

Install light underneath your seating area. While it might seem unusual, this lighting system results in creating a warm glow for your patio. You can also put it in the midst of your pillars encased in clear glass. This pillar lighting solution saves space and weatherproofs your light source.

Rope Lights

Lead the way and don’t let your guests go astray with rope lights lining your walkways, plants and outdoor room. Rope lights work for minimalists home makers who do not like the cluttered look other options may present. The illuminated pathway is easily transformed into a runway, making every walk memorable.

With these lighting ideas, nightfall now gives way to an ambient stay outdoors. Easily re-create any of these lighting ideas for beautiful summer nights ahead of you.

While an orchard or vegetable plot might be too grand of an idea for a kitchen garden, did you know that you can still achieve one in a pot? Here’s how you can have a mini version in your yard today!

Pick a pot and modify it according to the crop.

Make sure you have a large pot with a mouth that can accommodate the number of growing plants. Though we recommend a 1:1 ratio so that the crops won’t fight over limited soil nutrients. Ensure proper drainage by either picking a pot with holes for irrigation or drill holes in it. You can also prepare some bamboo sticks to aid in the plant’s growth.

Start with crops which can grow from scraps.

From cabbage to spring onion and onions, let it float in water for some days and let roots branch out before planting it in a pot.

Put the pot in its best spot.

Depending on the crop, make sure that it is receiving the proper amount of sunlight. Also watch out for the soil moisture. Since it’s in an enclosed pot, the soil can quickly dry up so either water more frequently or move it to a shaded spot before the soil dries up completely. Another way for the soil to keep its moisture is by making sure the soil is tilled regularly.

Grow crops up rather than spreading it wide.

Since growing crops in a pot limits your space, free it up by directing your crop growth upwards. Stick a trellis near the pot to guide your crop upwards.

While you may not have acres of land to grow your orchard or vegetable plots in, container gardening surely helps in making sure your family won’t run out of fresh produce all-year round!

As the weather temperature becomes unpredictable, maintain your plants’ curb appeal by following these tips!

1. Keep moisture in.
It’s not just your skin that needs moisturizing. Plants and the soil it’s planted in also need to keep the moisture intact so that your plants don’t dry up. By keeping your soil moisturized, you’ll also fortify it against invasive and opportunistic insects and pests. Do this by keeping a watering schedule.

2. Succulents also get sunburned.
While most succulents thrive in full sunlight, they also experience sunburn. When they do, you’ll notice dark spots, and dry leaves that may simply fall off. To avoid getting bald succulents, move them to a shaded place after sometime.

3. Snip dry leaves off the branch.
Make way for new leaves by trimming dry ones. Not only will you get a blooming plant, you can also use the dry leaves as ingredients for your mulch.

4. Mulch to keep the moisture in.
As temperatures rise up, your soil dries up and your nutrient supply gets depleted. To protect your soil against harsh sunlight, cover the soil around your plants with mulch. From dried leaves to grass clippings, kitchen scraps and even shredded newspaper, combine these and spread it on the perimeter of your garden. This will greatly improve your soil texture and keep your soil from drying up.

5. Make sure your pots have proper water irrigation systems.
That might sound a lot but it just means make sure your pots have ways of letting go of excess water. While you don’t want your plants dying of thirst, you also don’t want them drowning in excess water. Choose porous clay pots or if you have ceramic ones, make sure it has little holes where water can easily flow out.

First impressions last and a captivating entryway decides that for guests and passersby. We’ve listed for you some great entryway ideas that won’t make a dent in your budget. So go ahead, dress up the exteriors of your home without busting your bank.

Garden Archway
Welcome friends and family with a quaint garden archway. Whether you want to carve your family name, house number or your sigil or even a coat of arms, a garden archway gives you that option. Without crowding your entryway space too much, a garden archway raises your curb appeal effectively.

Lighted Path
Make your guests feel welcome even at night with a well-lit entryway. From painting stones with glow-in-the-dark paint to repurposed wine bottles with holiday lights inside, create the right mood that sets your guests’ impression in the positive direction.

Garage Door Trellis
Often left as bare as possible despite hogging most of your home exterior look, why not give some attention to your garage and soften its look? By installing a trellis, break the monotony and get more curb appeal points. Instead of the bare faced look, your garage door will now look more charming and connected to your home instead of its boring existence before.

Pergola
A charming yet semi-open structure that provides shade and framing for your home, a pergola can boost your curb appeal from afar. Let fragrant and flowering vines adorn the lattices and watch as your entryway enthralls anyone who passes it. Now that’s how you make a long-lasting impression.
If you still have no idea what to make of your own entryway, call us today for a free consultation. We give a free in-home estimate, no strings attached. So take advantage of our expertise and let us work together to make your entryway look better!

While the rest of the neighborhood are installing the usual structures, why not go the extra mile and do something completely different? We’re not thinking of something grand like moving an entire beach to your backyard. Consider these outdoor improvements and see what caters to your wild side.

Outdoor Shower

Before you protest, think about it if you already have a pool outside. An outdoor shower’s privacy requirement can also be easily met by a clever circular divider. Have some fun and free yourself by having a shower outdoors in a swimsuit, of course.

Mirrors

Not just for those who are vain, mirrors pretty much help in making a small confined space look larger as it is. It also deviates one’s attention from gauging the size of the place to gauging their looks on the mounted mirror.

Dry Creek bed

While we said earlier we’re not going to ask you to move an entire beach to your backyard, we didn’t say you can’t create a dry creek bed in it. Start from where your drainage ends and you’ll have a flowing creek come rainy days!

Rain Barrels

Another water-saving feature you can do is by installing a rain barrel that catches the water down the tubes come rainy days. By keeping it covered, you’d avoid it to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and still get to use rainwater for your plants. Take that as a huge discount on your water bill and you’re also helping your plants survive the dry spell without spending a cent.

A Pulley Curtain

Hanging plants? Ditch the boring way and make it an array of pulleys you can actually pull to create a straight or uneven row of potted plants. Not only does it make for an unconventional curtain, it also adds a chic vintage touch to your outdoors.