Decorating our backyards can sometimes be even more fun than the inside of our homes. Of course a big part of that is the “fun in the sun” but it’s also the freedom of creative design unaccompanied by fear that we may make a huge design mistake. When we began decorating our home I made a deal with my husband that the interior is mine to decorate and the yard is all his. I’m kind of regretting it now because he is having so much fun.  He’s being nice though and including me.  Our backyards allow for a certain undisciplined look that we can’t get away with inside and I’m learning now that almost any yard that gets care and attention can look beautiful, even without a huge budget.

Over the past few weeks while watching my husband working away on his newest “project” I’ve learned a few things about backyard design which are important to know.

Planning: When starting your backyard the first step should be, as in any other decorating project, the planning process. Think about what you will be using your yard for most; hosting huge parties on the weekends, family fun or a serene place for you to relax. Whatever the case is a backyard is always a place to enjoy so decide what features you want to include to make it the most enjoyable possible. For many this means a swimming pool, others enjoy tons of flowers and some love the sound of a tinkling waterfall. You may need to include exterior lighting, or if you have a pool an outdoor shower. Depending on your desires make sure you have the space and budget to fit in what you love most.

Once your vision for the backyard begins to take shape, the addition of a pool often becomes the centerpiece that ties everything together, offering both a visual focal point and a place for relaxation or entertainment. Beyond its aesthetic value, a well-designed pool enhances the overall atmosphere of your outdoor space, transforming it into a retreat where you can unwind after a long day or gather with friends for summer fun. Choosing the right team to design, build, and maintain your pool makes all the difference, and Poseidon Pools Las Vegas brings that blend of creativity and precision to every project. Their expertise ensures not only a beautifully constructed pool but also one that’s safe, efficient, and tailored to your lifestyle. With attention to detail in everything from water systems to finishing touches, they help homeowners create a backyard oasis that remains inviting and functional for years to come.

Our yard will be used for small BBQ’s for our friends and family and as a relaxation spot for my husband and me. We sit out there a lot drinking our morning coffees, eating dinner or just relaxing. When deciding on what we want in our yard (which is really tiny) we both right away said water. We love water so we wanted to think of a way to incorporate it into our small space. We definitely couldn’t fit in a pool or even a hot tub but the next time my husband went to Lowe’s, our all time favorite store, he found a DIY pond kit. He is now busy working on it and so far it looks great- I’ll show you pictures as soon as it’s done.

That little DIY pond project has truly sparked our imagination—it’s amazing how even a small water feature can transform a space. Of course, while a full-sized pool was out of the question for our yard, it made us realize how much pools themselves require thoughtful care to stay beautiful. For friends and family who do have pools, we’ve seen firsthand how resurfacing becomes essential over time—not just for looks, but to maintain the pool’s structure and safety.

It’s one of those home maintenance things people often put off until it’s too late, but a well-resurfaced pool feels brand new. We came across https://poolresurfacingphoenix.net/ while browsing for ideas, and they’ve got great resources about when and why resurfacing is necessary. Even though we’re sticking with our cozy pond for now, it’s good to know the right contacts when the backyard dreams get bigger!

Seeing how much difference a little pond can make has given us a deeper appreciation for the care that goes into maintaining larger water features. Pools, in particular, need steady attention—cleaning, balancing chemicals, and keeping filters running smoothly all help preserve that inviting, clear-blue look. A little consistent effort not only prevents algae and buildup but also makes every swim feel fresh and relaxing. It’s the kind of upkeep that turns a pool from a backyard feature into a daily retreat.

For anyone looking for reliable support in that area, https://jayspools.com/ offers a full range of professional pool maintenance and cleaning services that make ownership effortless. Their team handles everything from routine washing and debris removal to deep-clean treatments that restore luster and clarity to the water. With the right care and expertise, a pool stays more than just clean—it becomes a long-lasting centerpiece of relaxation and family fun, season after season.

This is a quick sketch of our yard I made . Its just to give us a rough idea of what we are doing. We are not keeping to it exactly but its a good idea to know more or less.

The clearing size: If you plan on having a lot of people over to enjoy your yard you will want to make sure not to clog it up too much. Keep in mind that a lot of bushes and trees expand in width so they will eventually take up more room then you initially realized. Make sure you have enough space for visitors to mill around and sit down.

In our case we have very little space to work with and probably won’t be having more than a few friends or family in the yard at a time. We made the front half of our yard into a patio which opens directly to the kitchen (convenience!) and the back half is grass. The pond will take up the back left corner so the rest of the space is open for us to work with.

Landscape: It’s smart to include some year round plants in your landscape design. This way you will have beautiful flowers and foliage all the time.  Also, it will cut down a lot of the maintenance. I have a friend who loves hydrangeas. She planted hydrangea bushes all along the back wall of her house. It looked beautiful for a few weeks but that’s all! Hydrangeas only peak for a few weeks in the spring/summer and then they are done. So her back fence looked pretty plain the rest of the year.

It’s also a good idea to use some pretty rocks or accessories which require absolutely no maintenance and are very cheap. We plan on surrounding our pond with a low wall of stones. I think it’s a pretty design element and it will define the pond making it the focal point of the yard.

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Once you have all the essential details planned you can start with the project. Even if you are hiring a crew to do it for you get involved- it’s fun!

More picture and updates coming…

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