It’s hard to beat the relaxation, entertainment, and lasting memories a patio can bring. However, to truly maximize your patio’s potential, dividing your space into functional zones is helpful. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your space.

Common Patio Zones

Lounging Area

Unwind and enjoy the backyard by incorporating a lounging zone on your patio. Utilize cozy outdoor sofas, chaise lounges, or hammocks to create an inviting space perfect for relaxing.

Dining Area

Designate a specific area where you can enjoy delicious meals surrounded by friends. Consider installing a stylish dining set that complements your patio’s aesthetic and provides ample seating for gatherings. If space is limited, opt for space-saving solutions like foldable tables or bar-style seating.

Entertainment Area 

Create an area on your patio for entertainment, ensuring enough room for guests to move freely. You can enhance this zone with fire features like a fireplace or add comfortable seating, such as cushioned chairs or built-in benches, encouraging people to gather and celebrate special occasions under the open sky.

You may want to move your zones around over time depending on factors like the weather, how many people are over, or to spice things up. Here are a few great ways to move your zones:

Simple Ways To Define Your Patio

Patio Furniture

Although it may sound obvious, simple furniture like chairs and couches will help define recreational areas from other patio parts. These can be customized to fit your space’s overall aesthetic and can be moved around whenever you like.

Outdoor Rugs

Introduce a touch of coziness and define separate zones by using outdoor rugs. Rugs can visually delineate each area while infusing warmth and style into your patio design. Make sure to choose weather-resistant rugs that can withstand the elements.

Learn 5 Reasons You’ll Be Floored By Your Outdoor Rug and how to use rugs to elevate your outdoor space.

Movable Partitions

If you desire flexibility in your patio layout, consider using movable partitions like decorative screens or trellises. These versatile dividers allow you to transform your patio’s configuration based on your current needs.

Whether renovating an existing patio or starting from scratch, careful planning and attention to detail will help create the patio of your dreams. So, let your creativity flow and design a patio that allows you to unwind, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors.

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Follow us on social media at @tcpoutdoor for more patio inspiration, and start designing your dream outdoor living space by Booking a Free Consultation.

Are you dreaming of a serene outdoor oasis where you can unwind and entertain? Building or renovating a patio is an excellent way to extend your living space and create a charming retreat in your backyard. If you’re looking for materials that fit perfectly on your patio, here are a few tips to help with your decision:

Assess Your Patio’s Needs

Envision your ideal patio. Are you considering factors such as size, function, and layout? Is your patio on the smaller side or cramped by a pool? How are you planning on using your patio? If your patio will be hosting plenty of family gatherings and neighborhood get-togethers, it may look different compared to a patio meant for time outside with a loved one. Understanding these needs will streamline the material selection process.

Quality and Durability Matter

Since your patio needs to endure the elements as well as foot traffic, it’s crucial to prioritize quality and durability. Invest in high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time. Popular choices like natural stone, concrete pavers, and composite decking can be exceptionally strong and require minimal maintenance. Although quality materials may cost more than anticipated, it can be well worth the price for years of enjoyment.

Consider Climate and Location

Your patio’s geographical location and climate will influence the material selection. In regions like Texas, opt for materials that can withstand freezing winters and scorching summers. Consider factors like water drainage and slip resistance, especially if you experience frequent rainfall. Make sure to do some research and don’t be afraid to ask questions when making these selections.

Create A Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transition

Pick materials that harmonize with its existing elements, whether you have a classic, contemporary, or rustic-inspired house. This creates a cohesive and visually appealing outdoor space to blend the inside and outside of your space.

Explore Other Options

From natural stone and concrete to brick and wood, the world of patio materials offers endless possibilities. Each material has unique characteristics, so explore different options and envision how they will enhance your patio’s aesthetics and functionality. If you’re looking for inspo, check out our recent blog on patio styles.

Seek Expert Advice

While researching is essential, don’t hesitate to contact the patio professionals. Collaborating with experienced contractors or designers can provide invaluable insights, helping you make informed decisions based on your specific requirements and budget.

With meticulous planning and expert advice, you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect outdoor haven for relaxation and entertainment.

Not only does outdoor lighting enhance the aesthetics of your patio, but it also increases safety and functionality, allowing you to extend your gatherings into the night. If you’re looking to upgrade your current patio or embark on a new patio project, let’s explore some fantastic outdoor lighting options to transform your outdoor space:

Overhead Lighting

When you think of big outdoor statement pieces, chances are you’re thinking of overhead lighting. From chandeliers to ceiling fans, these fixtures wow guests with their size and creativity. 

Task Lighting

If you plan to use your patio for activities like reading, cooking, or playing games, task lighting is a must. Consider adding adjustable spotlights or wall-mounted fixtures to provide ample illumination for specific tasks while keeping the area well-lit.

Accent Lighting

Highlight the best features of your patio with accent lighting. Use spotlights or well lights to showcase architectural elements, trees, or beautiful landscaping. Carriage lights attached to your patio’s columns is another elegant way to brighten up your space. 

Path Lighting

Ensure safety and guide your guests with strategically placed path lighting. Solar-powered or low-voltage LED lights are ideal for line walkways, steps, and driveways, making navigation easy in the dark.

Smart Lighting

Take control of your patio lighting with smart technology. Install Wi-Fi-enabled lights that you can control through your smartphone or voice commands. Adjust brightness and color and create lighting schedules to match your preferences.

Ambient Lighting

Perfect for relaxing evenings or hosting gatherings, ambient lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Install soft, diffused lights such as string lights or lanterns. These provide a gentle glow and set a cozy and intimate mood.

When planning your patio lighting, balancing functionality and aesthetics is important. Incorporate a combination of these lighting options to achieve your desired mood. Remember, a well-lit patio enhances your outdoor living experience and adds value and curb appeal to your home.

If you’re ready to transform your patio into a captivating outdoor retreat, our patio experts are here to guide you. Contact us today, and let’s create the patio of your dreams.

For two decades, TCP Custom Outdoor Living has been providing beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our fabulous customers. 

From humble beginnings to becoming an award-winning company, we’ve had the pleasure of working on some of the most incredible projects across the state. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the highlights and express our sincere gratitude to all who have chosen us for their outdoor living needs.

It’s not just about the patios; it’s about the people. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know our customers so we could work together to bring their outdoor visions to life. We’ve had some of the most rewarding experiences with families who now have a backyard to host family reunions, birthday parties, or a quiet night under the stars. It’s been an honor to help create those moments for our customers.

As we celebrate 20 years of TCP, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our customers over the years. We are grateful for your trust in us and are always humbled by the positive impact our projects have on your lives. We’re excited to continue building beautiful outdoor living spaces for many years and hope to develop more unforgettable moments for our customers. 

A handful of the nearly 3,000 projects we’ve built since 2004. 

If you’re considering upgrading or building your patio, contact us today to help write the next 20 years of TCP Custom Outdoor Living. Contact us today!

This residence featured a modest covered space at the rear, accompanied by a simple paver patio. Situated adjacent to a branch of the Buffalo Bayou, the homeowners were eager to transform this area into their dream backyard sanctuary.

Before

This home had a large backyard with plenty of space to create their dream outdoor space.

After

The client wanted to have a pool built and add an updated outdoor living space to go with it.

1,400 Sq Ft of new concrete was poured to accommodate the new covered space and the pool decking. For this request, we resized some of the 2nd-floor windows to build the new covered patio.

The new covered space is about 550 sq ft. and includes the larger area off the end and the smaller covered space along the home. This designed space has plenty of room for a sitting area, dining area, and outdoor kitchen.

The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Experience

Coming off the indoor kitchen and breakfast area, this new space is just a few steps out the back door.

The outdoor kitchen has RCS brand appliances – a grill, fridge, and storage. There is plenty of counter space for prep work and for serving up a great meal. The granite is Colonial Gold from Daltile.

It’s now the perfect setting for relaxation! The ceiling is West Coast IPA pre-stained tongue and groove by Woodtone. The flooring is Loire Beige 24X36 porcelain pavers from QDI and the stone used throughout the project is Chopped Blanco with color from Rock Materials.

Reach out for a free consultation, and let’s make it happen. Contact us today!

Check out our latest Outdoor Living Area project, a practical and stylish addition to elevate your outdoor space.

Covering around 300 square feet, the new patio features a pre-stained pine tongue and groove ceiling, metal shingles matching the home, and efficient 6-inch seamless gutters with two downspouts for proper drainage.

Before

Structurally, three steel posts and a matching beam provide support, painted to blend in with the house’s hardi soffit and trim. We’ve added an accent wall with a tongue and groove-style facade and handled the removal of four existing posts, fixing up travertine areas for a smooth finish.

After

The outdoor kitchen is designed for functionality and aesthetics, offering a 16-foot linear kitchen with a stone veneer exterior, galvanized steel frame, hardi backer panel, and level 2 granite countertops spanning approximately 52 square feet.

On the electrical side, we’ve installed six 4-inch recessed cans with bronze trim, a dimmer switch for cans, a fan switch, and a sconce switch. Two outlet receptacles and two 110v dedicated circuits complete the setup.

This project seamlessly combines practicality with a touch of style, turning your outdoor area into a functional and appealing space. Interested in transforming your patio?

Reach out for a free consultation, and let’s make it happen. Contact us today!

This home had a small covered space that needed to give the family more room to spend time outdoors. Their home is also on a neighborhood lake, and they wanted a space built by their boat dock to be close to the water. 

Before

We needed to remove existing columns to create the space they wanted. To accomplish this, we added four hundred square feet of cover and incorporated the old cover into this new larger structure. We built a 12-foot L-shaped kitchen in the corner under the cover, adding a fridge, a grill, and storage with plenty of counter space to accommodate prepping and serving. The granite is Typhoon Bordeaux 3cm from InStyle Granite and Marble, and the stone on the kitchen, firepit, and columns is Ashlar dark cream from Apex Stone. 

After

The flooring is stamped concrete in a travertine pattern. The retaining wall, fire pit top, and tops of the half columns are all light-tumbled travertine pavers from QDI cut to fit. The ceiling is finished in Irish Cream pre-stained tongue and groove by Woodtone. 

We also added a sidewalk down to the neighborhood lake and a patio for sitting out by the water, cementing this landing area as the perfect spot to enjoy the night sky. 

This outdoor living area completely changed the backyard. 

Interested in an outdoor transformation? Contact us today!

This home had a very large backyard and needed a total refresh. The client was already installing a pool and wanted to add an outdoor living room with a kitchen, fireplace, and dining area. 

Before

The new covered patio is at 765 square feet and attached to the garage and the back of the home, removing the long breezeway that was there. The space is split with the double-sided fireplace, creating two separate areas. Both sides have room for lounging around by the fire. The larger side has the dining table and bar area, while the other side has the outdoor kitchen. 

After

The outdoor kitchen is equipped with RCS appliances – a grill, fridge, doors, and drawers for storage. The granite is Black Pearl from Daltile. All of the stone on the fascia of the kitchen, fireplace, and half-column is Autumn Blend Chop thin veneers from Alamo Stone.

The vaulted ceiling is West Coast IPA pre-stained tongue and groove by Woodtone. A Bromic heater was also installed to keep the space nice and comfortable on chilly days and evenings. To top it all off, the outdoor living space is equipped with speakers in the ceiling, perfect for parties. 

This outdoor living area completely changed the backyard. 

Interested in an outdoor transformation? Contact us today!

This home is on several acres and the homeowner wanted a freestanding outdoor living room with a large kitchen and fireplace that matched their home.  The rustic/hill country vibe is just perfect.  The rustic stone and dark stained columns and beams create this stunning outdoor space.

Before

A walkway from the home to the new outdoor space was poured for easy access to the 624 SF freestanding living room.  Everything was built to look original to the home – matching the siding, metal roof and gel-stained Hardie on the columns and beams. 

After

The 18’ kitchen along one side is equipped with a grill, sink, fridge, storage, and a ceramic smoker.  The granite is Fantasy Brown 3cm leather finish from InStyle Granite and Marble.  The raised bar top provides plenty of space for dining outdoors. 

The 18’ kitchen along one side is equipped with a grill, sink, fridge, storage, and a ceramic smoker.  The granite is Fantasy Brown 3cm leather finish from InStyle Granite and Marble. 

The raised bar top provides plenty of space for dining outdoors.  All of the stone on the project is Colonial Monte Vista from Apex Stone.  The hearth and seat walls are topped with Ashton Moire ledge stone also from Apex Stone. The custom-built fireplace is woodburning with storage on either side for wood storage. The ceiling is American Nut Brown pre-stained tongue and groove by Woodtone. 

This home had an existing raised deck without a covered patio. They wanted a lovely covered patio with room for a dining area, a sitting area, and an uncovered patio for a fire pit. Their backyard had a considerable slope, so we added concrete to level the yard and create a space that changed the entire backyard. 

The new space has 900 SF of pavers with a 542 SF covered outdoor living area. This new space is a beautiful combination of materials that gave the homeowner exactly what they wanted to live it out. 

The ceiling is Smokey Bourbon pre-stained tongue and groove by Woodtone. Bromic heaters were installed to keep the space nice and warm on chilly days. The stone on the pony wall, columns, and certain sections of the back wall are Bluebonnet Chopped from Republic Stone. We used 8′ cedar slats with a natural stain for the privacy wall. The travertine pavers used on the flooring are Pave Pro in Silver. 

There are three sitting areas – one for chilling out while watching TV, one off the primary bedroom perfect for morning coffee or a late-night glass of wine, and the third one is under the stars and all set up for enjoying a portable fire pit.