Restore Your Great Outdoors: 5 Ideas for a Brilliant Backyard

Now that the temperatures are starting to move from blistering to balmy, the idea of spending time outside is actually becoming quite appealing...especially when your Sonoran sanctuary is literally in your own backyard. Good news is, you don’t have to do a complete outdoor overhaul to create an oasis. One or two carefully selected upgrades can make for a beautifully modernised look. 

Here are just a few of our favourite ideas to get you thinking:

Cool Pools – Taking a dip is one of the best ways for us Arizonans to feel refreshed (and we get to do it nearly year-round, to boot!). So, why not treat your pool to a little freshening up, too? Consider surrounding the interior perimeter with new ceramic tile. There is a virtual kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and sizes to choose from to immediately enliven the look of your pool. Plaster needs replacing after a time, and if yours is ready, upgrading to a slip-resistant quartz aggregate finish or colored pebble are just two of many beautiful options. And a water feature (rock waterfall, sculpture, etc.) is a great way to add a dramatic focal point to your pool. 

Get Cooking Alfresco – When the weather is gorgeous, there’s nothing better than dining outside. And with an outdoor kitchen, you can prepare and enjoy your culinary creations under the afternoon sun or evening stars. The choices are truly endless, limited only by available space and your imagination. For larger areas, a full barbeque and prep station, complete with bars, seating areas, storage and grills is a great way to recreate the restaurant experience alfresco. Smaller backyard? Not to worry. A sink and prep counter for mixing drinks and putting finishing touches on food or a clay brick pizza oven are both lovely additions, as well. 

Be Shady – Most all desert patios are built with some level of coverage. However, this is perhaps the one instance where the saying “less is more” doesn’t really apply. Shade is always at a premium, and building an extension over your patio is an excellent way to maximise it. Materials can range from wood and steel to woven or reflective shade cloth, all depending upon your current or desired outdoor décor.

Perfect Pergolas – Even if you aren’t familiar with the name, you’ve no doubt seen these structures in desert backyards. Pergolas consist of columns that support a roofing grid of beams and rafters and can be left open or covered to create an area sheltered from the elements. They can be attached to your home or built as a freestanding piece, and can make a wonderful entertainment lounge or dining area. 

Welcome to the Jungle – All right, so perhaps that’s a bit of an over the top way of suggesting the idea of planting new greenery to refresh your backyard surroundings. However, my lovely wife Victoria apparently had a mission to recreate a tropical rainforest during the early days of everyone staying at home 24/7…and we are now known as the “Jungle Jameses.” But in all seriousness, desert-friendly plants are one of the easiest – and least expensive – ways to change the look of your yard. 

Whether it’s a full backyard makeover or just a few tweaks to your scenery, Team C&C is happy to chat with you at no obligation. We’re ready to explore your options when you are!