A Cozy Outdoor Living Space

December 1, 2020 Outdoor Living

The sweaty summer days are behind us (we think), and cooler days are ahead! So as fast as we have forgotten how hot it can be, most of us will crave a cozy fire, super soft blanket and the feeling that the holidays are here!

Creating a winter wonderland is easy with a few essentials, we hope you keep warm and safe this season!

Tip #1 – Bring the Heat

If you don’t have a built-in fireplace or pit like the picture below, adding some heat to your area can be easy and affordable. Whether it be a propane fire pit, free-standing heater or classic wood burning fire feature, adding warmth is a necessity in keeping comfortable.

Tip #2 – Lighting

You will get a little lighting from the flames in Tip #1, but with the days being shorter through the winter, you’ll need to shed a little light on things. String lights are a great option not only for a source of light, but to create a warm ambiance! Candles also create a cozy setting for relaxing.

Tip #3 – Cozy Seating

The lighting can be just right and very relaxing, but if you’re sitting in something uncomfortable the whole experience can get ruined (just ask Goldilocks). There are so many options when it comes to outdoor furniture, try something that allows for deep seating and plush pillows… something where you can snuggle and sink. For added warmth and decor, include an oversized throw blanket… you’ll never want to go inside.

Tip #4 – Flooring

Whether your patio has nice flooring or not, consider adding an outdoor rug to warm things up and add some style. Today’s outdoor rugs are weather tolerant and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and patterns. So many choices makes it easy to find a rug that blends with your overall outdoor living style.

If you’re gathered with family or having alone time with a good book, enjoy your surroundings and happy holidays!

Award-Winning Outdoor Living Projects

July 25, 2020 Awards, Patio Design, Project of the Month

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) was excited to announce 394 projects made the finals of the 2020 Star Awards. This year saw a record breaking 624 entries from 54 cities across the state of Texas. 

The out-of-state judges reviewed 187 categories and select the best in Texas. TAB launched the Star Awards program in 1992 and it remains the only statewide tribute to excellence in the residential homebuilding industry.

Winners were just revealed at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas during the Sunbelt Builders Show™.

This year’s entries showcased the outstanding work of builders, remodelers, architects, designers, sales professionals, marketing professionals, construction professionals and industry leaders in Texas and surrounding areas. With nearly 200 categories to choose from and hundreds of entries each year, it’s impressive to be recognized.

We are proud to announce that Texas Custom Patios was nominated in four different categories and we won all four! It’s an honor to be recognized among other elite builders. Here are the projects that impressed the judges!

Winner 50 – 75k

This older home needed a backyard make-over. The family needed some shade, a nicer area to entertain, and a built-in kitchen. For details and pictures on this entire project, click here.

Winner 75k – 100k

The homeowners wanted to add about 850 square feet of outdoor living space, so we added an expansive kitchen, living room and dining area. We worked through the existing drainage issues, and added Astro Turf. Now the home is complete and perfect for entertaining! For details and pictures on this entire project, click here.

Winner 100k – 125k

The customer had an existing pergola with arches that were on its last leg. They wanted to remove the deteriorating pergola and add a space that could add the “wow” factor to the backyard when they looked out their living room window. They wanted a space that could blend with the architecture of the home along with the design of the pool. For details and pictures on this entire project, click here.

Winner 125k – 150k

This project needed remodeling in both the front and the back of the home. This gorgeous patio was done in a contemporary style complete with an outdoor dining and living area. For details and pictures on this entire project, click here.

If you would like to see more of our work, click here. To see the 2020 award program in its entirety, click here.

Best of the Best 2019

December 30, 2019 Outdoor Living

In 2019, Texas Custom Patios completed almost 200 projects with each one having its own style and story, all of them custom-designed and built to look as though it is original to the home. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, here’s a look back at some stunners from 2019! Click the link below each image for full details.

January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019

Don’t Make this Mistake

November 26, 2019 Patio Contractor, Patio Design

There are so many things to be aware of while planning your outdoor living space that it can be overwhelming. Texas Custom Patios is with you every step of the way, but here are some things to consider when it comes time to build your dream covered patio.

Timing of your project… do you have a special event coming up? Or just want it done before summertime? Check out our timing schedule:

How much room do I really need? Great question… But you need to ask yourself a few more questions. What do you want to use the space for?

Do you want just a couch and chair to hang out and watch TV… plan on about 200 SF— you need room to move around the furniture but be placed far enough from the TV for the perfect view.

Do you want to have a small dining table as well (seating for 4 or 6)? Add another 100/150 SF. Or will you be entertaining more and need a table for more (8-10)? Make it another 200/250 SF.


What about an outdoor kitchen? Just make sure you have room to include a counter area with serving space and plenty of room for the grill master to move around. A good rule of thumb is to measure your indoor living room or kitchen or dining area and plan accordingly. Outdoor furniture takes up the same amount of space as indoor furniture. And you need to make sure there is space on the edges to keep everything dry.

When planning for your outdoor kitchen, you need to think about how much entertaining you will be doing or how you will be using your grill. If you are mainly looking to just grill for your family of 4, then a smaller counter area with limited storage and a small grill will work great. If you like to entertain and have people over, then you need to plan on having
the space available to lay out all the food (either food that you have prepared or dishes the guests bring). Make sure you have plenty of counter space for the buffet.

Lighting – how much light is needed? Once the sun goes down, it gets dark outside… make sure you have enough light on your patio. Can lights overhead (1 per 100 SF) and carriage lights on the columns are a good start. If you have an outdoor kitchen, lighting above the grill is
important so you can see how the steak is doing. Hanging a great chandelier is also a nice add not only for light, but a beautiful focal point.

There are many more things to consider, but this is a great start! Your project manager is there from start to finish, so you can enjoy the process and watch your dream patio become a reality!

Have a project in mind? We work throughout the Houston and Dallas - Fort Worth areas.

Our Customers Love Us

We had very high expectations when Texas Custom Patios began construction on our back patio space. Because our roofline has a steep pitch and the odd location of our chimney, we were concerned about whether the addition would flow seamlessly with the rest of the roofline. Steven and his crews far exceeded our expectations. Professional and attentive to our concerns, Texas Custom Patios created the outdoor space we’ve always wanted – only better.

© 2024 TCP Custom Outdoor Living

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