Most people choose a ranch-style home for it’s accessibility and focus on indoor/outdoor living. Adding a patio or redesigning the current patio on your ranch-style home can extend your living space and complement the current elements of your home style.

Ranch-style homes are known for single-story, open floor plans. Other common design aspects such as large windows and glass doors help incorporate natural elements into these spaces. Choosing the right patio design can assist with the seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living.

Here are some design features that can transform your patio into an extension of your current living space.

A well designed cover

A well designed patio cover should look original to your home. Choosing the right contractor can ensure that the job is professionally done and seamless. 

You can also add interest underneath on the ceiling by using a material, color or pattern that complements your outdoor style.

A kitchen/dining area

Enjoying a meal outside is part of the communal outdoor experience. A strategically placed kitchen or grill allows the host to engage and be a part of the action while preparing meals. 

Living space with a focal point

An outdoor living space with a focal point gives guests a gathering point for conversation. Elements such as a fireplace with a mounted tv or a fire pit help keep people entertained and engaged. 

Upgraded flooring

Some people opt for a standard brushed concrete. But other outdoor flooring options such as pavers can add a touch of elegance to your patio design. 

Upgraded flooring not in your budget? An outdoor rug can make your space feel more like home.

Choosing the right element for a ranch-style home patio provides an outdoor/indoor flow that’s ideal for entertaining and engaging with guests.

Need help designing a patio for your ranch-style home? Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Feeling limited by your outdoor space? Even a small patio can have grand appeal with a few simple updates. 

Transform your outdoor design with these small patio makeover ideas that work for any budget.

Add a Statement Rug

If you’re feeling a little shy about daring design choices, try an outdoor rug to make a statement. Bold colors or patterns add an eye-catching anchor to classic patio furniture pieces. 

Bring on the Comfy Seating

Another simple way to add visual interest is with comfy seating. Arrange benches, chairs, or even swinging chairs in a way that makes it easy for guests to engage.

Increase the lounge factor with plush cushions and pillows. Layer different sizes, colors, or patterns for eye-catching, functional appeal. 

Warm it Up

Maximize time spent on your patio with a fire feature. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit adds functional touch and ambiance on cooler nights.

Incorporate a Water Feature

A fountain is another way to add to the outdoor ambiance. Imagine enjoying your favorite book with the calming sound of water.  

Add Some Greenery

Brighten up your backyard with plants or flowers. Choose large plants for a more decorative look. Or try a vertical container with herbs for more practical gardening.

Not only will plants and flowers give your space a vibrant new look, but they can also be a functional touch. For example, some plants like lavender and lemongrass repel bugs and mosquitos.

Use What You Already Have

Save money on your patio update by reimagining the items you already have. For example, repaint an old table for a fresh look, or turn a bookshelf into a bar cart.  

Even small accessories like vases can have a new life in your outdoor living space.

Need help with your patio makeover? Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

An outdoor fireplace or fire pit is an eye-catching, functional addition to your outdoor design. A fire feature adds warmth and ambiance and can act as a point of engagement for guests.

While fireplace and fire pit structures add similar appeal, they have some key differences. These distinctions play apart in deciding which one is right for your outdoor living space.

Ask yourself these questions to determine whether an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit is right for you.

How much space do you have?

A fireplace is probably the better option if limited space is a concern. They are usually smaller and can be built on the edge of a patio to take up minimal space. 

A fire pit may require about 150 to 200 sq. ft. So if space is limited, a fire pit may not be ideal.

How do you plan to use your fire feature?

Desired experience is a key factor. Do you envision a group of guests sitting around the fire chatting? Or is warmth and ambiance the goal?

Fire pits are usually round, square or rectangular, making them ideal to sit around. They can act as a casual gathering and interaction point.

On the other hand, a fireplace offers space for a couple of people to sit in front. You may find that a fireplace creates a more elegant atmosphere or a focal point in your outdoor design.    

Do you live in a windy area?

Climate is another factor to consider. Do you live in a windy area?

Fire pits tend to produce a lot of smoke. Due to the unpredictability of winds, you can run into the issue of smoke blown in an undesirable direction. 

Whereas, fireplaces are built with a chimney to carry smoke away from the house. You can also use your fireplace on rainy days if your patio is covered.

Are you looking for wood burning or gas?

With both fire pits and fireplaces, you have the option of wood burning or gas. 

With wood burning, you get that nice warmth, crackle and smokiness—almost like you’re sitting beside a campfire. However, there’s a bit more effort required in building and lighting the fire, and there are limitations on the style. Wood-burning options must be built using masonry with certain fire codes met for chimney height and distance from structure.

Gas, on the other hand, starts instantly, and there’s virtually no clean-up. There’s also more versatility when it comes to styling as you can add decorative fyre glass or lava rock. 

Cost of Installation

Going with a wood burning option can be good for your budget. Gas requires running a gas line, which can increase the cost.

Whether you go with wood or gas, an outdoor fire pit installation generally comes with a lower price tag. However, outdoor fireplaces generally increase your home resale value. 

In addition to the financial costs, a fire pit may require more cleanup and maintenance depending on the type and how it’s installed.  

With careful consideration, the right fire feature can add practicality and style to your outdoor living space. 

Our experts are here to help you make the decision easier. Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston, or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Are you in the process of designing your patio space but not sure how to determine your outdoor style? Like planning your interior, your exterior design takes a little time and consideration. Here are some tips for finding inspiration for your dream outdoor living space.

Bring Indoors Outdoors

One of the simplest ways to help define your outdoor style is to consider your current interior style. After all, your outdoor living space is an extension of your indoor living. 

Your outdoor space can be an opportunity to experiment and combine fresh, new design elements with your existing style. 

Create an Inspiration Board

Gather your favorite design ideas from sites like Pinterest or Houzz. You can even use magazines for inspiration. 

Do you notice a pattern in which outdoor style grabs your attention most? Note which aspects catch your eye.

Keep an Open Mind

Don’t be afraid to combine style elements. It’s a good idea to have a primary design theme. But stay flexible with accessories or accent items. 

For example, maybe you’re most drawn to a midcentury look. A more traditional outdoor rug may add a pop of color or texture.

Consider Function

How will you use your outdoor living space? Do you envision yourself hosting laidback summer dinners around a large patio table? Or maybe you see yourself lounging under your covered patio while watching the kids play. 

Make a list of how you plan to utilize your outdoor living space. You may find that some design styles provide better functionality for your vision. 

Define Your Outdoor Style

Now that you know where to start in determining your outdoor design style let’s explore some of the more popular styles. 

Mid-century Modern

Marked by clean lines, this style emphasizes natural elements and space. A mid-century modern design can help facilitate a seamless continuation to your outdoor living space.

Traditional

Keep things classic yet comfortable with a more traditional design. This style works well for more functional, family-friendly outdoor living spaces.

Transitional

A blend of modern and traditional styles, transitional design can keep a space looking classic while also making it feel decidedly current. Because of its versatility and wide appeal, it’s currently one of the most popular styles in outdoor living.

Rustic

Rustic design highlights natural, organic elements for a more relaxed, organic feel.  

Modern Farmhouse

Modern farmhouse has grown in popularity over the last several years. It combines some of the comfort and natural elements of rustic design with contemporary or modern touches.  

Check out some of our custom patios designs here.

2022… the year of no more Covid-19? … health and new beginnings? … possibly even a six-pack stomach, and not beer this year? Whatever it is, make sure your goals will bring you happiness! For our customers this last year, a new custom patio brought great joy and a new place to make memories. See gallery of featured projects here. If you love what you see and would like to get the ball rolling, there’s no time like the present.

One of the first things that most people want to know, is how soon will they be lounging on their new patio? Use the handy guide below to know when your custom patio project needs to begin in order to be completed by these commonly requested dates. Factors such as material supplies and weather prevent us from guaranteeing completion dates, but we understand your excitement and work diligently to meet a desired date. The guide below was created to give you a ballpark look!

First, determine when you want your project completion to be, then discover what month you’ll need to contact our office to get started. For instance, if you would like to sizzle in style in your backyard for Father’s Day, pick up the phone and call now!

When you call our office, we’ll schedule an initial appointment. After the initial visit, we’ll follow up with a proposal. Once you’ve selected Texas Custom Patios as your outdoor design-builder, we’ll begin the permitting and homeowner association process. This can take up to 90 days depending on the particular rules of your community. When the design has met all requirements, a simpler concrete and cover takes about four weeks to complete(including a kitchen adds a couple more weeks).

Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston, or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth. Here’s to 2022 with a view!

Before 2022 hits and you vow to be healthy for at least 17 days… celebrate with these tried and true delicious recipes! Ring in the new year with something salty, yet sweet and a little cheese, please! Indulgence at its finest…

Swiss Cheese Bread

Waffle-Iron Pizzas

Mom’s Mac ‘n Cheese

Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

Croissant Baked French Toast

Garlic Bread Pasta Torte

Loaded Spaghetti Bake

Mac & Cheese Pork Sliders

Grilled Cheese Tomato Bake Soup

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Monkey Bread

S’mores Stuffed French Toast

Banana Bread Pudding

In 2021, Texas Custom Patios completed 200 projects with each one having their own story to tell, all of them custom-designed and built to look as though it is original to the home. While it’s hard to pick a fav, here’s a look back at some top picks from 2021! Click the link below each image for full details.

Click here to discover details about this project perfect for relaxing in Katy, Texas.

Click here to discover details about this beautiful, modern project in Fulshear, TX.

We enjoy working hard to create your dream outdoor oasis from start to finish! It starts with a few ideas and then from there it gets mapped out on paper, tweaked, and eventually custom built to plan! So you can imagine we get so excited to hear when homeowners love their new outdoor living space!

“I highly recommend Texas Custom Patios for any remodel project and design!! Our experience with Collin Jarrell in the design phase was great, as he helped us decide on the perfect layout and details for our project. The construction was managed by Rob, who was extremely responsive, was in constant communication with us, and ensured that the entire process went smoothly. From start to finish, this company is focused on high quality work and a great experience for their clients. The end result exceeded our expectations and I would definitely use them for all outdoor projects in the future. Thank you Colin, Rob and Texas Custom Patios!” ~TCP Customer

“We are overwhelmingly satisfied with all the great work Texas Custom Patios (TCP) did to give us the patio of our dreams. We realize the building/construction industry has a bad reputation for not responding or showing up for jobs, but we experienced none of that with TCP. Everyone from TCP, including all the contractors working on our project, were responsive, professional, and highly skilled in their jobs. We have watched the frustration our next door neighbors have had, and still are experiencing, working with a different company.

We are giddy (can we say smug?) with our decision to go with TCP!! :) We were absolutely thrilled with Collin Jarrell’s design work! We had several initial meetings with Collin to design our patio, in which he was responsive, patient and professional. As part of the initial consultation and quote, Collin created our project using online 3D software that we could see via Zoom calls. Other companies we talked to would not provide an online visual until after we signed the contract. Collin made changes real time and provided explanations and suggestions to give us a gorgeous patio. Collin has a great eye for designing patios! Collin was the reason we decided to choose TCP as our contractor.

Our project manager, Rob Baird, is great at his job. He moved our project along smoothly, even when dealing with delays due to COVID. Rob was patient and responsive to our (ok…mostly my husband’s) many texts asking for updates and status. We were very impressed with how well Rob kept track of the many moving parts…and were happy with his willingness to make changes when we wanted upgrades, or when we had a few hiccups. Rob was always pleasant, responsive, and very easy to work with. We already miss seeing him in our back yard!

We are truly delighted with everyone at TCP for making our patio building experience painless and pleasant. We really enjoyed meeting everyone who worked on our patio, and are humbled by the expertise and professionalism. We will think of TCP fondly while enjoying our wonderful new space for years to come.” ~TCP Customer

To see more of this project, click here!

There’s more where that came from, too! Please peruse our gallery on Houzz, we have over 100 “5 star ratings” from happy customers spanning Houston to Dallas!