Spring is here, and it’s time to use outdoor living space to the fullest. Your patio is the best place to enjoy the warm weather, and with a few upgrades or a new build, you can transform your patio into the ultimate springtime hangout spot. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Outdoor Dining Area

Spring is a great time to enjoy meals outdoors. Set up a dining area on your patio with a large table and comfortable chairs. Choose weather-resistant materials for your furniture, and add colorful cushions or pillows for a pop of color. Consider adding a grill or outdoor kitchen to make cooking and entertaining even more effortless. For more info on building an outdoor kitchen, check out our previous blog for inspiration.

Fire Pit or Fireplace

Although the weather is heating up, spring nights can still get chilly. So stay warm and cozy on your patio with a fire pit or fireplace. Not only will it keep you warm, but it also creates a relaxing ambiance and a focal point for your outdoor space. Roast marshmallows, tell stories and enjoy the nighttime.

Games and Entertainment

Bring some fun to your patio with games and entertainment for the whole family. Depending on the size of your backyard and the number of people playing, there’s plenty of fun to be had on your patio. For five great activities to enjoy in the sun this spring, check out our blog on backyard games.

Outdoor Lighting

Create an atmosphere on your patio with outdoor lighting. String lights or lanterns can help create a warm, rustic style, while a chandelier can add class to your backyard. Lighting can also increase safety on your patio by illuminating walkways and steps. To learn which outdoor fixtures fit your patio best, check out our blog.

With a bit of creativity, your outdoor living space can become the ultimate spring break hangout spot for you and your friends and family. Contact us today to start building or upgrading your outdoor living space.

If you’re planning on building your dream outdoor living space for a specific time of year, like July 4th or Christmas, this helpful timeline can get you on the right track. Keep in mind that project timelines can change depending on the size of your project, but this timeline is a good estimate of when you can expect your patio to be completed.

To have your project completed by January-February, call us by August.

To have your project completed by March-April, call us by October.

To have your project completed by May-June, call us by December.

To have your project completed by July-August, call us by February.

To have your project completed by September-October, call us by April.

To have your project completed by November-December, call us by June.

When you’re ready to build your project, reach out to TCP to help guide you through the process and make your dreams of a new outdoor living space a reality. 

In Texas, seasons blend together, not really ever knowing where one ends and the other begins. Lucky for us, it’s the perfect place to create a backyard oasis! Outdoor kitchens are heating up in popularity across the country, but for Texans it’s a great investment and something you can enjoy year round.

If you’re worried about space… don’t! An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a small bbq pit with a tabletop counter surrounding for food prep, to a full-scale set-up with a sink, refrigerator, storage and multiple cooking appliances.

Everything from start to finish is fully customizable with Texas Custom Patios, it’s in our name and we stand behind that! We can lead you in the right direction to achieve exactly what you want with the space you have.

Grills and backyards in general aren’t what they used to be… now the world is your fire-grilled oyster, so have your cake and eat it too!

Our experienced personal project developers will work one-on-one with you to create a custom-designed outdoor kitchen that blends seamlessly with your home’s exterior.

You can choose stone, brick, or stucco finishes; and granite, tile, or concrete counters; but we’ll always use a high-quality framework underneath. We build all outdoor kitchens with tubular steel framing and fiber-cement sheathing to give you a durable, non-expansive, and heat-proof foundation.

What to consider…

For an outdoor kitchen space, there are a few key things:

• Built in propane or natural gas for a grill
• Work surface for prep.

If you want to take it up a notch:

• Sink
• Fridge
• Storage drawers
• Warming drawers
• Sideburner

Get fancy with it:

• Pizza oven
• Big Green Egg
• Kegerator
• Ice maker
• Built-in bar table / stools

Outdoor kitchens are meant to be fun and functional, to graze our outdoor kitchen gallery, click here!

Positioning is everything…

When it comes to picking out a spot for your outdoor kitchen, there are a few things to think about:

• Sunlight
• Wind
• Access to the indoor kitchen

Outdoor kitchens flow nicely when there is a solid straight wall to position the kitchen along and that can be easily covered by a roof extension or stand alone cover. Providing “shelter” for your kitchen will make for a more comfortable cooking experience and keep your appliances and materials nicer and for longer.

Just like the indoor kitchen is where everyone gathers, the outdoor kitchen is the same! So you want to make sure it’s as spacious as possible so that you get 5 stars when it comes to socializing in your backyard paradise. Many like the indoor/outdoor feel, so adding seamless folding doors will help achieve that open concept.

Spacing….

We will definitely help with this and can design something that looks great and works well with your space. We put these things into consideration:

• Prep area
• Cooking area
• Cleaning area
• Dining area

Whether it’s an intimate dinner with the family or a larger gathering with friends, we will want to maximize the space so that no one feels cramped. And just a reminder, smaller spaces can accommodate a kitchen, too.

Recommended materials….

• Stainless steel
• Carbon steel
• Brick
• Stone
• Composite for surfaces
• Cast iron
• Concrete

Just stay away from marble and other porous surfaces, they are hard to keep clean, sanitized and unstained.

Outdoor Kitchen Costs…

And last but not least (we know you were thinking it)! After your project developer visits with you, we will provide you with a proposal that includes an exact quote proposal for your project. On average, the proposal will be completed in about 10 days. This proposal will include a design drawing with specifications and dimensions and rendered views and elevations, so you can see what the project will look like after completion.

Your project developer will schedule a meeting with you to go over your proposal and answer any questions. Once we have signed a contract, you and your project team will arrange to view samples and make final selections for your project. Your budget is top of mind because remember, we want you to have your cake and eat it too! Cheers!

Click here to discover details about this contemporary outdoor kitchen and master bathroom remodel.

This a gorgeous contemporary project in Houston, Texas. Click here to find out more details about the remodeled front and back of the home!

Click here for more details about this gorgeous, traditional project in Irving, Texas.

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced and presented the 2018 Star Awards winners on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. The highly-coveted Star Awards are given annually in conjunction with the Sunbelt Builders Show™ to recognize excellence in all areas of the home building industry. More than 500 entries were submitted for consideration for this year’s awards. Entries were judged by industry experts from across the nation, including Aaron Crowe (Benton, Ark.), Mike Goodrich (Beaverton, Ore.), Gretchen Palmer (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Bill Sager (Tacoma, Wash.).

In 1992, TAB launched the Star Awards – the only statewide tribute to excellence in the home building industry. The annual competition showcased the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, and sales, marketing, and construction professionals in Texas.

We are proud to announce we are the winners in three categories:

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space – $100K-$150K

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space – Under  $60K

Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space –  $70K-$95K

Check out our website for details on all our featured projects, learn more!  

Click the image below to discover details of this gorgeous project in Katy, Texas.

Celebrate Christmas in July with us by clicking the image below! Discover details of this beautiful covered patio in Houston.