Outdoor Living

The most popular and highest-value combinations in DFW are: outdoor kitchens (usable 10 months a year in this climate), pergolas and shade structures, fire pits and fire bowls (extend outdoor use from October through April), fire-and-water walls, and covered patio areas with outdoor lighting. The best designs treat the pool and outdoor living space as one cohesive project — not separate additions.

Yes — always. When the pool and kitchen are designed together, the materials match, the layout is optimized, and the gas, plumbing, and electrical are planned as one system. The ideal distance from pool edge to outdoor kitchen counter is 10–15 feet, with the kitchen oriented to face the pool so the cook stays connected to the gathering.

Granite, quartzite, and porcelain tile hold up best as counter surfaces in DFW heat and UV. For cabinet structure, use stucco-finish concrete block or steel-stud framing with cement board — never wood as the primary structure near a pool. Travertine and natural stone pavers work well for decking. Every DFW outdoor kitchen needs a shade structure — cooking in direct Texas sun in July without one is miserable.

A built-in gas fire pit runs $4,000–$12,000 including the gas line. Fire bowls cost $2,500–$7,000 each. A fire-and-water wall runs $8,000–$25,000+ depending on size and complexity. All fire features we install are gas — natural gas or propane — because gas fires are actually used every week. Wood fires next to a pool introduce ash and embers into the water.

A swim-up bar is a counter at pool level with submerged bar stools on the pool side — swimmers approach from the water, guests from the deck. It works well in residential settings when the pool is large enough and the bar is designed as part of the overall pool and outdoor kitchen from day one. A basic swim-up bar runs $12,000–$25,000; a fully integrated kitchen and bar combo costs $35,000–$60,000+.

Yes. Every outdoor kitchen we build includes a shade solution — pergola with fabric, solid-roof patio cover, or connected to the home's roofline. We design and build the full outdoor living space as one project, including decking, landscaping coordination, lighting, and shade. Call us at (972) 335-2777 to discuss your backyard.