Example of a mid-sized classic backyard concrete and custom-shaped natural pool design in Salt Lake City

Design ideas for a large southwestern drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Phoenix.

This luxury San Diego backyard remodel features a custom pool and spa, entertainer’s outdoor kitchen, porcelain paver patio, and drought-tolerant landscape design. At the heart of the design is a beautifully remodeled swimming pool and spa, surrounded by expansive outdoor living spaces that seamlessly connect the home to the landscape. Large-format porcelain pavers create a clean, modern terrace around the pool while natural flagstone walkways add warmth and character throughout the property. The pool deck flows effortlessly into multiple seating areas, including intimate lounge spaces and fire features that create inviting gathering points in the evening. A custom entertainer’s outdoor kitchen anchors the main patio and was designed for both functionality and style. The space features premium appliances, generous preparation areas, and a striking decorative tile backsplash that adds texture and visual interest. Adjacent dining and lounge areas allow guests to gather comfortably while enjoying views of the pool and surrounding gardens. The front and rear landscapes were designed with a low-maintenance planting palette that feels both elegant and natural. Sculptural succulents, citrus trees, ornamental grasses, and layered plantings are set within river rock and gravel beds, creating a drought-conscious landscape that complements the architecture of the home while maintaining year-round visual interest. Carefully integrated lighting throughout the property highlights architectural elements, specimen trees, and pathways, allowing the outdoor spaces to transition beautifully from day to evening. The result is a cohesive outdoor environment that blends resort-style comfort with timeless landscape design, perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying Southern California living.

Inspiration for a large mediterranean full sun backyard stone landscaping in Los Angeles for summer.

Elegant beige two-story wood exterior home photo in New York with a shingle roof

Photo of a large craftsman drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit for fall.

ForeverLawn synthetic grass softens this unique space just off the pool house.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone landscaping in Raleigh with a fireplace.

Photography: Gerardine and Jude Vargas
This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Phoenix for winter.

Photo of a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern front yard mulch landscaping in Detroit.

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Inspiration for a large southwestern backyard water fountain deck remodel in Albuquerque with a pergola

Pool - large transitional backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped lap pool idea in Miami

This is an example of a transitional landscaping in San Francisco.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary full sun front yard brick driveway in Detroit for spring.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard landscaping in Denver.

This welcoming and unique property is adjacent to the Diablo Country Club golf course, nestled at the foot of Mt. Diablo. The grounds needed updating to compliment the home's transitional farmhouse-style remodel. We designed a new pavilion for a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. The pavilion houses a cozy kitchen & grill, sleek bar, TV, ceiling fan, heaters, wall speakers, and inviting dining area. A pergola and trellis flank the modernized swimming pool and spa, the larger pergola featuring a square fire pit. To the expansive lawn we added two natural stone patios, clean gravel and stone pathways, retaining walls and fresh plantings.

Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in New York.

Photo of a large modern drought-tolerant and partial sun hillside gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin.

Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola This lovely landscape sports a poured in place concrete slab patio with drought tolerant sedum plants between the slabs. This sedum mix is sold in sheets then cut to fit but it’s actually grown for green-roof application. It works perfectly in this hot environment too as it is extremely drought tolerant and can go a month without water. Because the water runoff is absorbed between the slabs the patio drainage works perfectly and there are no need for drains.The swimming pool is of the fiberglass variety. Though the initial investment is greater than that of vinyl pools the ROI is greater over a 10 year period. Fiberglass pools retains more heat as the pool shell is all one piece and they don’t ever require a new liner.. This fiberglass pool has cool built-in benching and steps. And there is even a swim jet built into one side great for those cardio blasting swims. The pool interior colour is grey though it shows a soft blue/grey when water is added due to the reflection of the sky and other surroundings. The pool coping is natural stone with rock face edge. The steel arbour was custom made. Metal (steel) was chosen for it’s slim strength as wood placed here would have been too chunky. The best rooms (indoors or our) have a subtle layering of textural elements. To me this landscape needed a structure here to define the “rooms” It will look even better in a few years when the vines reach the top and the Miscanthus on either side reaches its 7′ height!The 12′ x 16′ pavilion is also made of steel and houses an alfresco dining table and sofa set. The pavilions built in cupola makes the warm breezes comfortably pass through with no need for a fan. It’s also sunken 2′ from the pool/patio height and nestled nicely in the corner. I must also mention the large slim planters with “Red Shades” Canna lily within. They are the perfect boldness/balance!Step through the arbor and a linear pond with “floating” natural stone step is revealed! Two smooth flow scuppers are responsible for the quiet waterfalls either side. A wood deck overhangs the pond adding softness to the setting. A modern retaining wall with natural stone cap runs the full width of the pond and pool adding interest and dimension. In the covered outdoor living area this wall is the perfect seat wall - adding lots of extra party seating!