rough sketch of the existing layout with dimensions would help people help you

What are your ideas of what a rustic/farm backyard are? Those terms can cover a wide variety of notions. For some that might lean more chicken coops, others might be more Italian villa. And probably a whole lot of other too.

Nice trees. What are they? Are you planning on keeping those? Where are you thinking of adding in a cooking area, and what kind of cooking? By a spa do you mean a hot tub, or something else?

In my mind I’m thinking along the lines of wine barrels or Napa possibly. Currently we have mostly citrus to include lemon, apricots and peach possibly. I think we would keep some of the trees. In my mind I thought a nice longer table on the concrete with jacuzzi in one corner and cook area in other. I’m thinking to include a smoker, bbq primarily possibly cooler and some storage.

The red wood planter wall I thought maybe replace with paver sitting wall

If you want help with that, you need a to scale drawing of the backyard with dimensions.

Where are you planning on removing all the kid equiment to in able to start making space for cooking and spa? Do you have a garage or something you are planning on moving it to?

IMO we need all of the above and rustic is not in any of those pics but you need to provide a lot more info. Wine barrels do not scream rustic / farmhouse to me but we need context . Plan to scale , lots of pictures of the space and the house . all posted in commnets here do not start another post. A spa is IMO not ever farmhouse or rustic. This is what comes to my mind when you say rustic farmhouse

You might be able to find an outdoor wine or whiskey barrel style hot tub. They aren't terribly common, but they are out there. Go for wood furniture rather than metal, glass, plastic. If you plan on a smoker, you will need to consider some things like prevelant winds and how the smoke moves or not in the yard. Your yard is fairly enclosed, your cement has a roof over it, and I would guess you might have neighbors that might bear some considertion. Smokers do tend to put out more smoke than grills.

Thanks for the feedback! I will get some pictures of the back of house and of backyard to attach here. In addition to maybe acouple showing style I’m thinking of

Given the criteria you mentioned, as well as accommodations for children’s needs, the first thing I’d do is consult with a landscape designer to discuss budget, wish list, and ideas (provide your inspiration pictures). They would provide advice/design a plan incorporating everything you are trying to fit in (perhaps suggesting going further into yard). Consider priorities/updating in stages (say hot tub) regarding budget if needed.

Have to admit I've never seen a farm house with any of that kind of stuff (spas, pergolas, outdoor kitchens) in the back yard, much less a rustic one. A rusted out pickup truck up on blocks would do much more to create the rustic farmhouse ambiance. A tractor and a few farm implements are de rigeur for achieving the look.

I'm speaking tongue in cheek of course, but honestly I think most of the people on this site have never seen either a real farm or actual Shaker woodworking.

Roadshow I like the first picture and last you included. Our patio concrete extends from back door to within about 4 feet of back vinyl fence. Our artificial grass is to right of patio and kind of teardrop like shape

Roarah I ment sorry, I hate spellcheck

What to include and where to site it is impossible to determine from the paucity of information provided here. And a random online discussion forum populated by few, if any, actual landscape design professionals is unlikely to produce any meaningful advice or suggestions.

I am guessing you are located somewhere in California. CA is filled chock-a-block with skilled landscape designers. At the very least, hire one for an onsite consultation to help you determine if your intentions are even reasonable given the space and your budget and if they are, how best can the space be utilized.

This is not something that can be resolved online with positive results. Hire a local design professional!

" This is not something that can be resolved online with positive results."

Agreed and when people ask strangers to choose how they should decorate, paint and such,I shake my head in disbelief then shed a tear in sympathy. How my place looks is personal reflection of me and I enjoy using original ideas getting there. I gained a renewed appreciation for my home and property after my sister-in-law spent two weeks with us last Summer. She lives in a gated homeowner association community outside Phoenix where every house and yard look like sterile clones and believes anything different is low class. rwlegand said comments were tongue in cheek but in Texas it's common to see old tractors and farm implements displayed in front yards. There are several items displayed in my outdoor entertainment area dating back to my parents and grandparents.

You would get more appropriate advice with a floor plan showing dimentions of the area to work with and more pictures or the existing.

You lost me a the fake grass in a farmhouse yard sorry but I think you need to undersyand what you actully want and not just have aname for something.

First you need to have someone come out and give you some options. things can be done but you want, plumbing, electrical and possibly gas. You need to really hire someone, we can all say do this to that but code, space planning etc really need an landscape contractor.

mik974 I just want to say that I think I might share/understand your vision of what "rustic" looks like...I also love the idea of the wine barrels....to me I think apple orchard meets winery type thing. And I do think that can fit in with a farmhouse theme. But I'm not a designer or pretend to be lol. I'd love to know how your plan is going bc we probably want the same "idea". And I too LOVE the first picture Roarah posted. I have admired that before.

Thanks! It’s hard cause we want to save and keep the artificial grass, citrus trees and alumawood patio cover but need to change other areas. Would like to incorporate a spa and outdoor grill and fire pit as well

Would u have any suggestions for incorporating those items?

Hey mik, how is the yard looking? It's been a few months.

Leave it until the kids are old enough to either put their toys away or don’t need the toys. It doesn’t look like you have enough space for a kid area and an adult area. I would just upgrade seating and a grilling station for the time being. That way the kids can be kids in that space and you aren’t worried about them getting into the spa or turning on the gas fire pit etc. 🙂

Bees we haven’t done anything yet to the backyard. Currently trying to finish our second bathroom remodel. I don’t know where to begin lol