13 Best Backyard Ideas

Idea #1)  A Covered Outdoor Living Space
A freestanding structure as a destination away from the house Many feel they want a covered space attached to their house but free-standing covered structures make great destination
a)       Gable style
b)      Hip & Ridge style
c)       Traditional gazebo style
d)      Lean-to style
e)      Pergola
I would recommend a covered structure that fully protects you from the elements & extends your seasons a little bit - in all weather. You could have heaters, add a fireplace, then a kitchen to your current structure and suddenly, it becomes a true four-season outdoor living area.
Idea #2) An Outdoor Kitchen
Not a standard application for this idea - I want you to think about adding more to your outdoor kitchen. Kitchens are amazing destinations outdoors. If you have a grill, that's great but you can add a griddle right next to it or you can add a side burner. Maybe a pizza oven?  Don’t forget a refrigerator, and ice maker in your outdoor kitchen. These amenities keep you outside a little bit longer. How about a smoker or green egg? These are extremely popular as a secondary cook surface. Get creative with your outdoor kitchen. It doesn't have to be the standard grill anymore - take it to the next level.
idea #3) Create a Relaxation Spot
What would relax you in your outdoor space? Yes, it’s personal - so think about some ideas in the landscape you would like to get away to. A little water feature, a very soothing little spot you can relax and let the stress of the day melt away. It could also be a little garden spot in your landscape. Gardening is known to be therapeutic and to relax as you. So maybe a little raised garden bed for you to be able to go out and putter in after a long day of work.  It can be a hot tub or sauna.
Idea #4) Another one that makes my list for the best backyard ideas is a Firepit. Not the typical fire pit – there are many different styles of firepits. Pack it full of people & kids- the main thing you're thinking about is how to get out and use your space. You want to have it as that destination to get people over and get a break from the TV and apple devices.
Idea #5) My favorite backyard idea is an outdoor sauna. I use my Sona all the time - three times a week minimum. It’s a nice little meditation spot too - a private Oasis.
Idea #6) I always sneak a bar in my outdoor designs. Outdoor bars attract people. I love a bar because you can put a bar in almost any space. They look great and do not hinder people's flow through the living space. So a bar in an outdoor living space cannot be understated.
Idea #7) One of my top ideas for your outdoor living space is an outdoor TV or an indoor TV that you move outside. Another fun idea:  an outdoor projector with a movie screen. Surprisingly, these are not very costly, but they add such an amazing summer evening environment. This is one of my favorite things to do: summer movie nights! We put up an inexpensive movie screen, have a very inexpensive projector - and enjoy evenings with lots of family and friends out watching movies under the stars together. Some people mock us because we are moving things outside but I just love being outside. If we watch movies - at least we're outdoors hanging out together.
So, 7 great ideas here. I'm sorry to say but I was only able to get the first seven ideas in this video - but I do have the other six and because I fooled you saying it was 13 . . . (ran out of time) I’m gonna give you a bonus idea in the next video! Thank you very much for watching!

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[tedtimmis]

For larger backyards, gravel paths are cool along with edible landscape, if done _tastefully_ (no pun intended).

[Redeleiser]

Yeah 13 best outdoor ideas for rich people!

[kaliehall-toim]

That to think about go outside relax smart idea

[lewisdow]

I really like your stance on detached outdoor area, never thought about the pros of it until you discussed it. Thank you

[CPTWalt]

I was actually looking for high dollar upgrades to my house, some of these projects could be done for as little as 100K. :)

[nancydrew]

Down here in the deep south, just stepping outdoors in the summer is a sauna.

[mach]

Depends on climate but a covered outdoor living space in cold climates makes more sense than free standing. I want to use mine in the winter even if its just to grill and dont want to walk through a foot of snow to get there.

[atrialy]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 congratulations for your video

[lesleydennis]

Love the free-standing ideas with overhead lights installed. I have a large backyard I would like to break up with part of it to be an entertaining area. Thanks for the ideas!

[phillipturner]

Great ideas for the outdoor destinations

[michellebetcher-hill]

Wow these spaces are breathtaking and I am sure extremely expensive but so stunning!

[melhillman]

I love your work, my husband has been I’ll with dementia and has he to go to a Memory Care facility, we have a good size back yard and it would be wonderful to transform it so I can maintain it. I find it very difficult to keep up the maintenance by myself that was something my husband always loved to do. Thank You for doing what you do and inspire people to dream and work towards making the dream come true. A relaxing space now wouldn’t that be magic

[fiongee]

I love water, fire and plant features. I don’t have an eye for design but I love watching your videos that gave me some great ideas. Thank you 😊

[cindyquintero]

I love the work you guys do !! I love how you utilized every single area and as well how you add all the elements (fire, water etc )
We are original from Colombia but we live in San Antonio, Texas !! Definitely looking forward for you guys to make your magic in our backyard ❤️

[grantthornley]

Really like your approach in the utilization of space. I agree with you, create destinations which pulls/attracts people towards different locations and functionality

[AfrikQ]

My idea of an outdoor place includes a moderate kitchen with a bar area, in the backyard. landscape plants 🪴, for 🐦birds, a swing, and yes a hammer, a small/ medium fish pond. I prefer a gazebo in the front yard or somewhere not to far from the front yard with lots of flowers and plants 😀 nicely landscaped.

[patricianealfarley]

I’m sorry… very nice but it’s like a second house. I live in the cold north. I need something a little closer before trekking thru the ice & sub zero temps. Unless I had a tunnel. I have a heated attached mini greenhouse I’ve used all winter. Tropical bliss. 🥰

[Willthethrill]

Problem with these outdoor spaces is mice, birds and critters in general end up ruining the furniture

[DirkBelig]

So many of these ideas seem limited to people in Southern areas where snow isn't a thing. Here in Michigan the usable span of outdoor time is pretty much May thru October, only five months (if you're lucky).

My house's previous owners were landscapers who did an elaborate deck with koi pond and stream. Unfortunately, they were followed by a guy who bought the house cheap and utterly neglected everything for 15 years before dying. A neighbor said they did a massive jungle clearance before selling it to me, but I'm left with reed-choked mosquito breeding ponds and a rotting wood deck.

I think a complete clean sheet redesign is going to be required, but I'm having heart palpitations at what this will cost. But it needs doing, so I want it to be cool.

[cherrone]

Really awesome ideas and I'm crushing on the host!