If you've ever looked around your backyard and thought, "I wish this looked nicer...but I don't want another project to take care of," then pull up a chair because I completely understand.
When Brian and I moved into our little mountain home, our backyard was pretty much a blank slate. There wasn't much landscaping, no real outdoor living area, and honestly, it wasn't a space we spent much time in.
But before we started buying patio furniture or planting flowers, we had a conversation that changed the entire project.
Brian looked at me and said, "I don't want to work on the weekends."
And I couldn't have agreed more.
We both love hopping in the RV for a spontaneous trip, going for a bike ride, hiking a trail, or inviting friends over for burgers and game night. The last thing either of us wanted was to spend every Saturday pulling weeds or maintaining a yard that looked beautiful but demanded constant attention.
So instead of designing a backyard to impress other people, we decided to design one that fit the life we wanted to live.
We Started With a Budget
I know budgets aren't exciting, but they save you from making expensive mistakes.
Before we bought anything, we decided how much we were comfortable spending and then made a list of everything we thought we wanted.
Patio furniture.
Lighting.
Landscaping.
Outdoor games.
Planters.
Storage.
It all went on paper.
Then we asked ourselves a simple question:
Does this help us enjoy the space more, or is it just something that looks nice in a picture?
That one question eliminated a lot of unnecessary spending.
We Knew This Wasn't the Final Version
One thing that made planning easier was realizing this backyard is still evolving.
Eventually we'd love to add a fenced area for Winston so he has more room to run.
We've talked about expanding the deck and screening it in.
We may even enlarge the front porch someday and finally pave the driveway.
Knowing those bigger projects are in our future changed every decision we made today.
We didn't want to spend thousands creating landscaping we'd eventually have to tear out.
Instead, we focused on upgrades that improved the space now while leaving plenty of flexibility for whatever comes next.
Sometimes the smartest home improvement is knowing when to wait.
Low Maintenance Was the Goal
Since we love to travel, maintenance mattered just as much as appearance.
We chose weed barrier, mulch, and decorative rock in the areas that needed attention instead of elaborate landscaping that would require constant upkeep.
Could we have planted dozens of flowers?
Sure.
But who would water them when we're camping for a week?
Our goal wasn't to create the prettiest backyard on Pinterest.
Our goal was to create a backyard we'd actually enjoy.
One that looked clean, welcoming, and intentional without turning into another weekend chore.
Buy Once, Cry Once
If you've followed me for a while, you know I'm becoming a big believer in buying quality over buying cheap.
I'd rather save a little longer and purchase something I'll enjoy for years than replace it every other season.
That philosophy guided our outdoor space too.
Instead of filling the yard with trendy pieces, we're adding things slowly and choosing items we truly love.
It's less wasteful, less stressful, and honestly, usually cheaper in the long run.
Small Spaces Can Create Big Memories
Our backyard isn't huge.
There's no outdoor kitchen.
No fancy pool.
No professionally designed landscaping.
But it has something I think is even better.
It has potential.
It's where I drink my coffee in the morning while the mountains are still quiet.
It's where Brian and I talk about our next RV trip.
It's where friends gather around the table for burgers, laughter, and a competitive game night.
It's becoming the place we naturally wander to after dinner instead of automatically turning on the TV.
And that's exactly what we hoped it would be.
Progress Over Perfection
One of the biggest lessons this project has taught me is that your home doesn't have to be finished to be enjoyed.
In fact, I think there's something really special about building it slowly.
Each season we can add something new.
Maybe it's better lighting.
Maybe it's another chair.
Maybe it's a storage bench or a bird feeder.
Every little upgrade makes the space a little more enjoyable without putting us into debt or locking us into a design we'll want to change later.
Build the Life That Fits You
If I could leave you with one thought, it's this:
Don't build your backyard based on what everyone else is doing.
Build it around the life you actually want to live.
For us, that means keeping weekends free, making room for spontaneous adventures, investing in quality over quantity, and creating a place where memories happen naturally.
Our backyard isn't finished.
Honestly, it may never be.
But every time we sit outside with a cup of coffee or invite friends over for game night, I'm reminded that the goal was never perfection.
The goal was creating a space that makes us want to slow down, stay outside a little longer, and enjoy this season of life.
And I think we're well on our way!
I've created a shop-able idea list on Amazon -- you can check it out HERE
Or See My Recommendations on Benable with links to the products I've actually purchased. Check it out HERE!
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