Patios and dining
Leave space for chairs to pull out, people to pass, and doors and gates to open. Discuss surfaces, transitions, wet traction, cleaning, and connections to the existing patio.
Make more of your backyard.
Plan room to swim, sit, eat, and move comfortably between the house and pool. Consider the outdoor spaces together before the layout is settled.
Start with the furniture and everyday use.
A patio can look generous when empty and feel tight once tables, chairs, loungers, and steps are in place. Think about how many people will use it, where you’ll want shade, and the routes that need to stay clear. Those choices help establish how much space to reserve.
Shade and privacy
Consider afternoon sun, existing trees, neighboring views, and where you’ll spend the most time. Shade structures, planting, and screening have different space and installation requirements.
Lighting and future additions
Raise plans for a kitchen, fire feature, covered area, or lighting early. They may affect utility routes, usable space, approvals, and the specialist work needed.
Plan the backyard as a whole.
The pool, patio, landscape, and house share the same space. Review their connections before individual features take up all the room.
- 01
List the activities
Decide where you want to swim, lounge, dine, cook, or gather. Separate essentials from additions that may come later.
- 02
Map the routes
Allow clear movement between the house, pool, seating, gates, and equipment. Check the layout with furniture shown at a useful scale.
- 03
Review the site
Consider grade changes, rainwater flow, sun, shade, and existing trees. Retaining work or drainage solutions may need further evaluation.
- 04
Coordinate the scope
Confirm what is included now, what is being allowed for later, and who will handle structures, utilities, landscaping, and other related work.
Choose materials that suit your home.
Look at coping, paving, and other finishes beside the house and existing patio. Color matters, but so do scale, texture, maintenance, and the transitions between surfaces. Review actual samples outdoors before making final selections.
Your backyard starts with a conversation.
Tell us about your property and what you have in mind. You don’t need a finished plan.