Designing Your Dream Backyard Space: A Planning Guide
Adding an outdoor living space or renovating an existing patio? Make the process a lot easier with our planning tools.
Why Invest in Hardscapes?
Investing in hardscapes for your home isn’t just a lifestyle upgrade, it’s also a smart financial move. Real estate experts estimate that 95% of the cost of a new patio is recovered when the home is sold.¹ Not only will you get years of enjoyment from your outdoor space, but you’ll also increase your home’s street appeal and resale value if you ever choose to sell.
¹ National Association of REALTORS® Research Group's 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features
How Do I Find My Design Style?
Your outdoor space should be much more than simply an extension of your home. It should be your oasis. This doesn’t mean it needs to be a tropical paradise – it just needs to include the features you love and will use.
Whether you’re in the idea phase or ready to start looking for a contractor, our style guide breaks down the process of designing an outdoor living space and making it truly yours. And because lead times for contractors can be long, the sooner you get started the closer you are to getting the most out of your backyard.
How Do I Find the Right Contractor?
Searching for the right hardscape contractor near you can be frustrating and time-consuming. From availability to unreliability, you may need to connect with multiple contractors before you land on someone you trust for your outdoor living space project.
That’s why we’ve put together Eight Tips to Find Your Next Outdoor Living Contractor – including how to vet installers, how (and why) to check references, and how to build out a reasonable timeline that works for both of you.
How Do I Create a Budget?
Start by deciding the maximum amount you’re comfortable spending. From there, it’s easier to see how your vision aligns with your budget. Wondering what typical backyard remodels cost, how much others invest in patios, or where you can save?
Use our backyard project budgeting checklist to plan confidently and bring your vision to life—without surprises.
Need Help Planning for Your Next Patio?
Download the Patio Project Playbook to begin planning for your next hardscape project!