Systems and methods for improving patient comfort and throughput of magnetic resonance imaging by providing at least one patient imaging area outside a bore of a magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging device. An embodiment of an apparatus for providing at least one patient imaging area outside the bore comprises a first shim disposed external to and spaced apart from a first opening of the bore to form a first patient imaging area between the first shim and the first opening, wherein the first shim is configured to direct a magnetic field of the magnet into the first patient imaging area to provide a first magnetic field in the first patient imaging area. Methods of magnetic resonance imaging outside the bore are also disclosed.