Case Study: 8 Tips for Planning a Backyard From Scratch

As with any interior space, a beautiful backyard is all about those personal touches. Unlike with living rooms, however — where furniture swaps and family accessories make a big impact — turning a blank concrete slab into a distinctive outdoor retreat takes more than just an updated patio set; it requires a few unique design elements and a whole lot of creativity.

Jim Coffman, president of Coffman Studio, started this Phoenix project from scratch. Initially a pool monopolized the backyard; the homeowners wanted it replaced with something useful and low maintenance. Coffman achieved this by creating a series of outdoor rooms with different functions. The new design includes a dining room, living area, fire pit and lawn, with good flow from one space to another.

Here's how to create the same cohesive, fun vibe in your own outdoor space.

Think about how you will use your yard. Do you like to entertain? Play soccer in the yard? Eat outdoors? Your preferences should dictate the design more than anything else.


And who will be enjoying it. Be sure to have something for everyone, including kids and pets, in your refreshed outdoor space. In this instance the homeowners have two large dogs, so Coffman included a synthetic lawn. The artificial grass even has an antimicrobial treatment for quick cleanup.

Ceramic agave: custom, James Sudal; brown paint: Tea Bag, Dunn-Edwards; yellow paint: Rubber Duckie, Dunn-Edwards; artificial grass: ForeverLawn


Properly divide your rooms. Resin panels on both sides of the fire pit help define that area, distinguishing it from the outdoor living room. Dramatic uplights also enhance the nighttime ambience.


Create an all-weather, all-day space. Coffman wanted the homeowners to enjoy the backyard rain or shine, so he incorporated different shade variations: a fully covered dining space, a partially shaded living room and an open-air fire pit. Carefully placed uplights and the fire pit make the spot just as enjoyable at night.


Mix up your materials. The client loves rusted metal, so Coffman included a rusted fire pit and a pergola with a painted steel frame and a galvanized metal hat channel topper. He added Trex decking, stucco walls, resin panels, synthetic turf and acid-washed concrete to complement — though not overwhelm — the industrial accents.


Don't let strict HOA guidelines deter you. The homeowners live in a development and can't modify or attach anything to shared walls, so Coffman got creative. He incorporated freestanding yellow stucco walls for color, character and spatial definition.


Add an artistic focal point. This ceramic agave, which wasn't part of the original plan, quickly became an integral part of the design. For more personality, the piece is paired with yellow and turquoise accents, colors pulled from favorite paintings inside the home.

Ceramic agave: custom, James Sudal; deck: Trex; turquoise paint: Stone Bridge, Dunn-Edwards


Leave some breathing room. Although it might be tempting to use every inch, don't: The patio can quickly look cluttered. Coffman purposely left some simple turf space in the middle to avoid an overwhelming feel.

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