In Texas, the backyard is not an afterthought — it's often another living space utilized throughout the year. A well-designed outdoor space extends your home's square footage into the open air, giving you room to entertain, unwind, and make the most of our long, warm seasons. Whether you are personalizing a new Bloomfield home or reimagining the yard you already have, a few smart choices can turn a plain patio into the favorite spot on your property.

Here are our best tips for creating an outdoor living space that works as hard and as beautifully as the rest of your home.

Start With How You Actually Live

Before picking out furniture or fire features, think honestly about how you spend time outside. Do you host big weekend gatherings, or are you after a quiet morning-coffee nook? Do the kids and dogs need room to run, or is low-maintenance the priority? Designing around your real habits — rather than a picture-perfect ideal you will rarely use — is the single best way to make sure the space gets enjoyed.

Sketch out rough zones: a dining area, a lounge area, maybe a cooking station. Even a modest patio benefits from this kind of intentional layout.

Prioritize Shade and Comfort

In the DFW climate, shade is a non-negotiable. Let's be real, it is what makes an outdoor space usable from spring through fall. A covered patio is the foundation, and many Bloomfield floor plans include one or offer extended-patio options. From there, layer in additional relief with pergolas, retractable awnings, large umbrellas, or shade sails over seating areas.

Comfort goes hand in hand with shade. Outdoor ceiling fans move air on still summer evenings, while string lights and patio heaters stretch the season into cooler months. Together, these touches mean your patio stays inviting well beyond a few perfect days in spring. An outdoor ceiling fan is offered as an option for most Bloomfield plans, check with your community manager!

Choose Materials That Handle Texas Weather

Our summers are hot, our storms can be sudden, and the sun is relentless. Build with that in mind. The right materials will look great for years rather than fading or warping after one season:

•        Furniture: Look for powder-coated aluminum, teak, or all-weather wicker with quick-dry, fade-resistant cushions.

•        Fabrics: Solution-dyed acrylics hold their color under UV exposure far longer than standard outdoor fabric.

•        Rugs and accessories: Polypropylene outdoor rugs add warmth underfoot and rinse clean with a hose.

Lily IV Model Home in Paloma Ranch Estates, New Fairview

Make It an Outdoor Kitchen — Even a Small One

Few upgrades pay off in everyday enjoyment like an outdoor cooking area. You do not need a full built-in kitchen to get the benefit. A quality grill, a prep surface, and a small beverage fridge can anchor an entire entertaining zone. If you are planning a larger build-out, consider a built-in grill, counter seating, and weatherproof storage so you are not running back inside every few minutes.

Position the cooking area where smoke drifts away from seating and where the cook stays part of the conversation. The goal is a space where hosting feels effortless. Bloomfield Homes has the option to install a gas drop line at the back patio (per plan and community)!

Add Greenery and Soften the Edges

Hardscape gives an outdoor room its bones, but plants give it life. Native and drought-tolerant Texas plants — think Texas sage, lantana, and ornamental grasses — thrive with less water and less fuss. Container gardens let you add color without committing to permanent beds, and a few larger potted trees or shrubs can create privacy between you and the neighbors.

If you have the space, a defined garden bed or raised planters near the patio bring greenery within arm's reach and make the whole area feel established.

Layer Your Lighting

Good lighting transforms an outdoor space after sunset and dramatically extends how long you use it. Aim for layers: ambient light from string lights or wall fixtures, task lighting over the grill and dining table, and a few accent lights to highlight landscaping or architectural features. Low-voltage LED systems are energy efficient and easy to expand over time, and solar path lights are an inexpensive way to make walkways safe and welcoming. 

Bring It All Together

The best outdoor living spaces feel like a natural extension of the home — coordinated in style, comfortable in every season, and built to last in the Texas climate. Many Bloomfield homes give you a strong starting point with covered patios and generous lots, leaving plenty of room to add your personal touch. Start with how you live, prioritize shade and durability, and build out from there. Before long, you may find your backyard becomes the room your family gravitates to most. Don't forget to check with your HOA bylaws before making any structural changes!

Plans with Patios

In Bloomfield Homes' Classic Series of floor plans, every plan comes with a covered patio! Our Elements Series has many plans with covered patio or options to add a covered patio. For buyers who have a covered outdoor spaces as a top priority, we would suggest...

Magnolia II with Optional Extended Covered Patio

Magnolia I-III: This plan has the potential for up to 4 covered outdoor spaces. Every Magnolia comes with a large, squared front porch with an angled front door and a back covered patio. There are two elevations that add a second-floor balcony accessed from the game room. For the Magnolia I and Magnolia II, the patio has an option to be massively extended (shown in photo above) and looks great when outdoor ceiling fans are added! And the Magnolia III adds a rear covered deck upstairs off the In-Law Suite. 

Standard Rose Covered Patio

Rose I-III: Another two-story floor plan, this covered patio sits in the middle of the home's rear, flanked by a light-filled breakfast nook and the primary suite. It allows for a nice depth to situate furniture flexibly.

Standard Hawthorne Covered Patio

Hawthorne I-II: One or two-story plan with 4 bedrooms, the Hawthorne has a beautiful spot in the back with windows looking into the long, open family room. It's all the space you need - or easy to extend off of if you ever want a weekend project.