When creating a stunning patio, attention to detail makes all the difference, and the patio column is one element that can transform your outdoor space’s look. These vertical pillars provide essential structural support and great design focal points. 

Whether upgrading an existing patio or building a new one from scratch, exploring various column styles can open up a world of possibilities. Need a refresh on overall patio styles? Check out our blog.

Classical Columns

Drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman architecture, classical columns bring timeless beauty to your patio. The Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian styles offer distinct motifs, from the simplicity of Doric columns to the ornate foliage details of Corinthian columns. These styles blend seamlessly with traditional and contemporary patio designs, adding a touch of history and sophistication.

Craftsman Columns

Craftsman columns celebrate the beauty of natural materials, often featuring exposed wood or stone. These columns emphasize handcrafted details and simplicity, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. Craftsman-style columns are ideal for rustic, cottage-inspired, or eclectic patios, infusing warmth and character into the space.

Modern Minimalism

For those inclined toward modern aesthetics, sleek columns with clean lines and minimalist designs are the way to go. Materials like steel and concrete can create columns that blend seamlessly with contemporary architecture. These columns provide a chic and streamlined look, allowing other design elements to shine.

Mediterranean Marvels

Mediterranean-inspired columns often feature intricate details, such as arches and decorative patterns. These columns can be made from stucco, stone, or terracotta, evoking a sense of old-world charm. Mediterranean columns work well with outdoor spaces that seek rustic elegance and vibrant colors.

Colonial Charm

If you love the charm of colonial-era homes, columns in this style can transport your patio back in time. With square or rectangular shapes, these columns show a sense of symmetry and order. They pair beautifully with brick or clapboard exteriors, offering a nostalgic ambiance to your patio.

Selecting the right column style for your patio is a significant step towards creating an outdoor space that reflects your taste and complements your home’s architecture. Whether you lean toward classic design or want to embrace a modern aesthetic, patio columns can be tailored to match your vision. So, elevate your patio’s allure by choosing column styles that resonate with your design aspirations and transform your outdoor space into a work of art.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on our contact form.

When enhancing your outdoor living space, there’s nothing more rewarding than a well-designed patio. However, to truly make the most of your space, especially in Texas, it’s crucial to consider the impact of heat and the importance of adding a patio cover to provide much-needed shade. Whether upgrading your existing patio or starting from scratch, thoughtful planning can transform your outdoor area into a haven of comfort and style.

Design Around the Heat

With temperatures in both DFW and the Houston areas soaring during the summer, creating a comfortable environment for you and your guests is essential. Consider the orientation of your patio with the sun’s path. Positioning your patio and furniture to receive shade during the hottest parts of the day can significantly reduce heat exposure.

Embrace the Patio Cover

Installing a patio cover is one of the most effective ways to combat excessive heat and create an inviting atmosphere on your patio. A patio cover not only shields you from the sun but also offers protection from rain, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space even during unpredictable weather. We build patio covers with radiant barriers that help reduce the heat produced under the roof.

Time to Fan Out

Whether it’s a patio ceiling fan circulating air or an outdoor fan mounted near seating areas, fans are a great way to stay cool outside. For more info on outdoor fans, visit our previous blog on patio ceiling fans.

Throw Shade

Shade structures like retractable screens can also offer relief from the sun’s rays. Not only do these additions block out the sun, but they can also complement your overall patio design.  

Although shade will make you feel cooler, it doesn’t technically make temperatures cooler. This is because the temperature you feel in the shade is closer to the actual air temperature. Being in direct sunlight can make the air feel 10-15 degrees warmer than it is because of the sun’s rays hitting your body and hitting your skin. To read more about shading, check out our blog on ways to shade your space.

You’ll have to beat the heat to make the most of your patio year-round. So, whether you’re revamping your current patio or starting anew, consider these factors to maximize your patio’s usage.

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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.

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.

A patio is a fantastic addition to any home, providing a comfortable space to relax and entertain. However, pesky insects and relentless mosquitoes can quickly turn your patio dreams into a nightmare. Let’s explore some practical ways to make your patio a bug-free haven.

Screening Solutions

If you want to keep insects out while still enjoying the fresh air, a high-quality screen could be just what you’re looking for. Incorporate retractable screens or sliding glass panels to enclose your patio. These versatile options allow you to enjoy the outdoors and provide a barrier against mosquitoes and other bugs. Opt for fine mesh screens that offer maximum protection without compromising the view or airflow. It’s also worth mentioning that many patio ceilings in the south are painted haint blue in order to repel bugs, however, we can’t confirm that this will solve your insect problems.

Landscaping with Repellent Plants

Strategically planted insect-repellent plants around your patio can repel mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. Citronella, lavender, basil, marigold, and mint are excellent choices. Not only do these plants emit scents that insects dislike, but they also add more greenery to your outdoor space.

Mosquito Misting System

For ultimate mosquito control, consider installing a mosquito misting system on your patio. These automated systems release a fine mist of insecticide at scheduled intervals, effectively repelling and eliminating mosquitoes. Mosquito misting systems are discreet and can be integrated into your patio’s design to provide long-lasting protection.

Water Features and Pond Maintenance

While water can create a serene ambiance on your patio, stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Prevent this by using water treatments or adding fish that feed on mosquito larvae. Regularly clean and maintain your water features to prevent standing water from becoming a pest magnet.

Outdoor Lighting Considerations

While well-placed outdoor lighting enhances the ambiance of your patio, certain types can inadvertently attract insects. Opt for LED lights or yellow bug bulbs, which are less attractive to bugs than traditional incandescent bulbs. Additionally, consider installing motion sensor lights to minimize outdoor lighting during periods of inactivity.

By using these strategies, you’ll transform your patio into a welcoming haven without insects. Whether upgrading your existing patio or building a new one from scratch, incorporating these ideas will ensure you can fully enjoy your outdoor oasis without the nuisance of buzzing pests. Embrace the beauty of your surroundings and enjoy the tranquility of your bug-free patio retreat.