Custom Patio Blog

Small patio spaces give us the idea that we don’t always need a large space to live big. Here are five small patio ideas which you can recreate in your own patio.
Rocking Living Room

Spending time on a rocking chair while catching up with your loved ones is an incredible way to unwind. In this set up, everyone gets their own rocking chair and space while still being close together. This outdoor living room truly rocks in making this small patio a valuable extension of the home life.

Kitchen Strip

Sometimes, all you need for an outdoor kitchen is a tiny strip by the side of your patio. A small addition to your patio and voila! You have enough of an outdoor kitchen to cook a great feast which you can share with your family and friends. Sunday BBQs and weekend get-togethers aren’t so hard to prepare for now that you can cook and entertain at the same time.

Tea Patio for Two

Make your tête-à-tête more intimate by limiting the seating furniture to two. This way, your patio becomes a refuge for those serious conversations without having to be inside a stuffy room.

A Conversation Pit

Sometimes the thing that prevents people from enjoying their outdoor space is the stark coldness they encounter. A fire pit conveniently solves that heating problem and makes your small patio as warm as your indoor. It can be a simple strip of fire pit, atop a table or a fireplace built against the wind to add more barriers to the biting breeze.

Patio Living by the Poolside

Feel like you’re always on a tropical holiday with a petite patio space filled with pool furniture. From beach chairs to chaise longues and umbrellas and a couple of small trees or shrubs that evoke the tropical feeling, a small patio can feel like a paradise with the right design.

Reclaim your outdoor space with outdoor rooms designed to reflect your outdoor lifestyle. In this article we give you 3 different outdoor room themes with which you can start planning and designing your own outdoor living area. Combining the right elements can give you the outdoor space you never knew can exist right in your own yard. So, read on and be inspired by these three outdoor rooms.

Rustic Resting Area

If you love being in the midst of nature, incorporate natural materials such as wood and natural stone in your outdoor room design. From wooden pergolas to a stone patio surface like flagstone, feel a bit closer to nature with all these natural elements used in your outdoor room. You can also incorporate a water feature to resemble a brook gently streaming by your rustic resting area.

Decadent Deck

Enjoy the soft golden tones of the afternoon in your decadent deck. You can have a raised deck made of pallet or a concrete one with pavers or bricks as the patio surface. On clear nights, enjoy a view of the starry galaxy beside your roaring fire pit or fireplace. You can also have built-in seats or even an outdoor kitchen for merry gatherings.

Pretty Pergola-Covered Patio

For gardeners, get a sweet retreat in the midst of your plants and flowers by having a pergola-covered patio. Let beautiful flowering vines grow and thrive on the beams and pillars of your pergola. Depending on the plants chosen, you can also attract a drove of bees, butterflies and birds to make your pergola-covered patio a true haven not only for you but for these small but beautiful creatures, too.

Need more inspiration for outdoor room themes? Head over to our patio gallery to see more of our patio work or call us today and let’s brainstorm together for the perfect outdoor room theme for your patio!

Fire pit extend your stay in your outdoor rooms by providing warmth and comfort all year round. One common misconception though is that a fire pit only has one design style. In this article, we give you 3 styles for your fire pit that will fit different patios and outdoor areas.

Fire Bowl

A modern take on the fire pit, a fire bowl is usually made of concrete with smooth curves. It can be large enough to be the focal point of your yard or as small as a table centerpiece. You can also have the fire bowl be fueled by gas, propane or wood. While premade casts are available in the market, having a customized bowl will give you the freedom to choose the material, color and design on the bowl.

Fire Hearth

Sometimes mistaken as a fireplace, a hearth is a small and compact design meant for small outdoor spaces. It usually sports a wall to project the warmth to a single side. This fire pit style is ideal for an outdoor area expecting to entertain a small group of people.

Fire Table

If you love an outdoor meal with friends, a fire table is one of the best strategies to keep your guests comfortable while at your outdoor table. A fire table is also dual-purpose in that it functions both as a source of warmth and a grill. You can also easily have it fueled with a propane tank easily stored and hidden underneath the base pillar.

You can also make the traditional circular fire pit into a fire table by asking your contractor to make the rims wider. You can also have seats built in such as concrete stumps or semi-circular concrete.

To help you determine the right fire pit style for your outdoor room or patio, call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation!

Love grilling but do not have the proper space to do it? These 5 outdoor BBQ spaces show you no matter how large or small your backyard is, there’s always enough space for a BBQ grill. See how we make the space work for your grilling needs below.

Straight Countertop

With the smart use of space, all you’ll need for your own BBQ spot is as small as this stretch between your home’s exterior and patio pillar. With this stretch, you can fit in the grill, a small sink for washing and enough counterspace for food preparation.

A longer stretch gives you a bigger version of every feature in the first picture and additional storage and equipment. You can have your grilling utensils stored near the grill, sauces and condiments, and plates and other cooking utensils you need.

A U-shaped or C-shaped kitchen is preferred by ones who love and need one thing in their kitchens—storage. Due to its enclosed layout, it also is the most efficient layout for the one in charge of the grilling or cooking as all the main areas of the kitchen are near to each other. In this layout, there is enough counterspace in between the grill and sink so you can easily put down your meats or plates with ease.

Another ingenious way of using an L-shape layout, this BBQ grill setup has everything you need within an arms’ reach. Can you believe this small L-shaped outdoor kitchen has storage, grill, sink, and cooler?

While a small space can fit all that, a larger space gives you more counterspace and larger grilling equipment. An L-shaped kitchen also fits an open space layout. You also get to have separate areas for washing and cooking, lessening the chances for contamination.

We hope these 5 kitchen layouts inspire you to design yours. For more design ideas and inspiration, browse our outdoor kitchen galleries.

Interested in planning a custom patio that fits your outdoor personality? Here are key criterias you should supply first before talking to a patio contractor. This will also help you and your contractor in finalizing a custom patio design that will give you a patio you’ll enjoy for all seasons.

Location of the Custom Patio

A space near the master’s bedroom can best be transformed into a personal outdoor lounge. If it’s close to the kitchen, an outdoor kitchen or dining area might be a better option. If it’s close to the pool, an outdoor grill area and lounge space fit for sunbathing is an idea you can explore.

Primary Use of Space

Should it be a lounge where you can unwind and relax? Will it be an entertaining space where you can host friends and guests? Do you want to spend more time eating your dinner under the stars or do more Sunday barbecues?

Connectivity

The outdoor patio and the entry to it should be able to handle enough foot traffic wherein people can pass by each other with ease. Consider the entry/exit points of your house and the location of the patio. If you’re planning to install an outdoor kitchen or fire pit, consider the gas and water lines to make the installation and building process simpler and easier.

Outdoor Theme

Do you want a spa-like ambiance? Or a minimalist and low-maintenance space? Would you want a secret garden or an outdoor space bursting of greenery? Imagine the outdoor look you want or create a mood board and show it to your outdoor designer. This will help you better envision the outdoor look you want, pick the most important details you must have and let go of the others which might seem out of your budget and can easily be skipped.

From these 4 custom patio features, you can start visualizing the patio and outdoor space you always wanted. To bring it into reality, call us today and let’s start building that custom patio of yours!

Formed through a sedimentary process, flagstone is a natural stone option for your patio surface. Available in a wide array of shapes, colors, and thicknesses, here are 5 benefits of having a flagstone patio.

Classic & elegant look

Flagstones are derived from natural sedimentary rock deposits. Due to the formation process it undergoes, a flagstone evokes a quiet elegance which makes it a popular choice for most homeowners.

Highly durable & permeable surface

While the hardness and strength of a flagstone can vary, it is naturally a long-lasting patio cover which have been used since the early 1900s. It is naturally resistant to heat which can make your patio stay a bit cooler. And when the rains come in, flagstone being a permeable patio surface easily let the water pass through to the ground.

Easy installation and maintenance

Depending on the patio area and function it will serve, flagstone can be directly laid out or mortared into place. It can be installed upon a bed of sand and gravel or put in place on top of a concrete slab. Depending on the amount of foot traffic, floor use or patio furniture that will be put in the area, your contractor may suggest either way of placing the flagstone. Once installed and properly sealed, flagstone only need regular sweeping to keep the stone’s natural colors from fading.

Allows easy custom placements

That is if you’re going to use an irregular patter or the ‘crazy paving’ technique in placing your flagstone. However, flagstone can be customized to fit any shape or area you may have. Particularly for the crazy paving technique, you can install it in such a way that you can grow the ground cover of your choice in between the stones. This makes for a well-integrated patio surface that easily works and blends well with your landscape.

Colorful

Flagstone is quarried all over United States and Canada. This makes the coloring unique for each region. Flagstone naturally sports natural colors in varying shades and speckles. You can wonderful blue-grays to yellows and pinks. Its natural mosaic color alone is enough to make your patio look so put-together.

Do you find yourself always looking for the perfect spot in your home to take a breather and decompress? Maybe the place you’re looking for isn’t inside your home but outside. There’s no need to go out for a walk or drive when you have a peaceful and relaxing patio space just like this 4 spots.

A relaxing nook by the patio, spend quality time by yourself or with your family or friends in your patio. A light patio furniture like this can easily be moved to the right spot and avoid too much sunlight. Brighten the whole setup by propping up a colorful throw pillow and get ready to chill in a matter of seconds.

On a sunny afternoon, relax by the pool or lounge after a cooling swim underneath the shade of some trees. Take advantage of the shady spaces in your patio and put some weather-proof patio furniture below that. Enjoy the airy and cozy ambiance it gives and feel like you’ve discovered your own hidden paradise right in your patio.

Another by the poolside setup, this patio has been custom-fitted with a mini-bar and poolside chairs to look like a retreat. There’s also a built-in grill for some quick grilled snacks after a refreshing swim. Who said you have to go away to experience a vacation? With a few installation here and there, you can easily transform your patio to a staycation spot.

Do you meditate regularly to decompress and refresh your mindset? This patio setup is for you. With a minimalist fountain neatly tucked in a nook, you can use this spot to do your yoga routine or meditation any time of the day. A compact seating area is also perfect for an afternoon coffee or a chat with a friend.

2019 is just around the corner and with the new year comes a new collection of design trends you should watch out for. If you’re still in the dark about what these trends are, read on and find out which ones you’d like to follow and do for your own yard below!

Go Big on Color

Design experts are saying that 2019 is a year that’s welcoming a bold statement by favoring vibrant shades displayed in all their splendor. From faded oranges to the color of the year, living coral, 2019 is all about choosing colors that uplift the mood. So, when planning for your outdoor or garden palette, don’t be afraid to choose lively, vibrant colors. Being outdoors gives you more room, literally and figuratively, to play with colors that may otherwise feel too much for an indoor setting.

In with the Old, Mix in the New

2019 is more embracing of the past in terms of furniture. Designers say that instead of taking your old furniture out, simply put some new touches to complement it. Whether you have steel chairs or more rustic and traditional ones such as woven rattan, feel free to decorate it with newer accessories such as throw pillows with the Pantone color of the year shade.

Look Forward to a Patio Overhead

Exterior spaces are made to feel more intimate with a patio cover overhead. Whether it’s designed in the modern style with fabricated steel or a rustic pergola made of treated wood, a patio cover will not only provide good shade, it’ll also make the space more serene, relaxed and protected.

These are just some of the trends 2019 brings. See which fits your design style and follow it if you like. Just remember that trends come and go, style remains forever.

It’s the holidays once again! Have you started decorating? While most people focus on their interior decorations, your outdoor spaces also need to be in sync with the holidays. Now if you’re running out of ideas how to design your small outdoor space for the holidays, read on and find 5 holiday hacks you can try!

1. Use lights to reveal the outline of your house, walkway, or landscape.

It doesn’t take up much space and beautifully draws out your home. Create an elegant and classic look straight out of a Christmas greeting card for your home with neatly lined lights.

2. Place your Christmas trees in a container box.

Whether it’s a small tree or a bonsai one, placing it in a container box limits the space it takes yet brings in holiday cheer for your small outdoor space. You can line the box with lights for a grand spotlight or stick holiday ornaments on the container’s sides.

3. Decorate with sticks and twigs for a minimalist approach.

If a Christmas tree is still too bulky or a bonsai too expensive, try a rustic chic version using sticks and twigs. If you have a plant in full winter barrenness, wrap its barren branches with lights instead.

4. Deck out in holiday colors.

You don’t always need to use holiday ornaments to get the look of the holidays. By simply using holiday colors for your outdoor furniture, you can already achieve the holiday look and feel. From fresh shades of green and red, usher in the holiday season with this festive palette!

5. Wrap grand garlands on your exterior posts and plants.

Glittery garlands are a sight to see even at night. Its glittering surface is perfect for a bright, festive look. You can also create different kinds of garlands. From a string of season-appropriate poinsettia to socks and candy canes, garlands pack quite a punch when it comes to bringing the holiday look for your outdoor space.

The right patio material is the first step to a smooth and safe driveway for your home. If you’re leaning towards installing pavers for your driveway, here are 5 tips when installing pavers!

1. Pavers are perfect for your patio, driveway or walkway.
With its wide range of design, shape and colors, you can use pavers for all of these and still end up with interesting outdoor spaces. You can install interchanging light to dark tone paver bricks to create patio surface patterns and change the look of your outdoor setting instantly.
2. Pavers can be installed on its own without a mortar base.
If you’re using precast pavers and have sand or gravel for a yard, pavers can easily be installed on it without the need of constructing a base for it. You can also set it in place by hand without the need of special equipment if your outdoor space is of uniform shape.
3. Pavers are perfect for those with more stringent building codes.
If your neighborhood or residential area requires a zero runoff for outdoor spaces, permeable pavers will solve that for you. This means no pooled stagnant water on your driveway or patio which can make your outdoors more dangerous.
4. Pavers can cover any outdoor space, regardless of its size.
Due to its easy installation with no need for special equipment, pavers are a favorite patio paving material especially for those narrow side entrances and walkways. It can also accommodate space in between patterns for a strip of greenery to grow and break the solid surface.
5. Paver patterns can impact the cost of your project.
Whether it’s circular, herringbone or running bond, the pattern will affect the cost of your pavement project. Curious about how much it might affect your project cost? Call us today for a free quote and consultation!