A backyard retreat should reflect the look that’s present throughout the rest of your home—whether that’s casual-rustic, uber modern, downright elegant, or anything in between. To each their own.

But a blank backyard is usually an unused opportunity. And a poured concrete patio with a grill thrown on one side doesn’t offer the comfort or aesthetic that many homeowners dream of.

Time for an upgrade.

If your landscape isn’t as inviting, practical, or attractive as you think it could be, here are some tips for more luxurious outdoor living:

1. Paver Patio Layout Options

An elegant patio offers comfortable outdoor space, an extension of your home that’s perfect for relaxing with family and good friends long into the evening.

In terms of placement, you have lots of options, depending on your yard:

Close to the house for convenience
A few steps away from the back door, for more of a getaway feel
The best of both worlds—a smaller paver landing close to your back door with a stepping stone path to a large patio space.

Unless you have young children or dogs that need space to run around and burn off some steam, much of your lawn likely remains unused. So consider trading some of that space for an updated patio. Replacing a portion of your grass with a larger and better-designed patio will reward you with a space you love to spend time in—and fully relax.

And while you’re thinking layout, consider the pavers themselves, which infuse a huge amount of personality into your backyard design. Whether smooth or textured pavers, cobblestone alternatives, or pavers of different materials like concrete or clay, your choice will help infuse your outdoor living space with the luxurious look you want: high-end spa zone, comforting cottage vibe, rustic retreat, chic-modern minimalist, or whatever you choose. Today, the options in pavers are vast, and you’re sure to find a style that suits your needs.

2. Burn off the Seasonal Limitations of Outdoor Living

Another advantage of extending your patio can be the number of features you’ll be able to include in the design—more unique outdoor living elements that will increase the comfort and convenience of your new space.

For instance, adding a fire feature to your new paver patio can introduce warmth that you can’t replicate in any other way. Imagine how inviting your patio could be when you can light a fire at any time, either by flipping the switch of your gas-fueled fireplace or testing your fire-making skills in your wood-burning fire pit.

Having the option to start a fire means you can change the ambiance and encourage your guests to linger.

3. Imagine Outdoor Cooking in Style

An outdoor kitchen offers optimal convenience by keeping everything you need to cook outside—and keeping unwanted char or smoke odors away from your indoor spaces.

These days, the options are amazing! You can choose the appliances that meet your high-end tastes, including a gas grill, smoker, refrigerator, and other amenities. Consider adding a wood-fired gourmet pizza oven to your grill station, a wine cooler to chill drinks, or a deep sink where you can clean up happy messes.

For placement, it’s a great idea to protect your outdoor kitchen by positioning it beneath a pergola or gable roof that protects your plans from the weather (more on this below).

Overall, modern outdoor kitchens should reflect the way you really cook, and that’s true outdoors or in. Whether a simple grill station, an L-shaped cooking area with a smoker, a pizza oven, an open bar, or a professional-grade kitchen with a wine cooler, plancha grill, and dishwasher, you have loads of options.

4. Put Up Pergolas and Pavilions

Shelter from the elements is crucial to outdoor living.

Here’s a luxurious tip: for that “been there forever” look, installing on top of masonry pillars will seriously up your pergola or pavilion style. And built-in light fixtures bring an elegant touch along with subtle ambiance.

The main difference between a pergola and a pavilion is that pavilions have solid roofs. So they’re a good option for sheltering outdoor kitchens or a portion of your patio that you’ll want to enjoy in practically any weather. To keep cooler in summer, you can even add a ceiling fan or hood vent.

5. Plan Your Landscape Lighting

The right lighting can completely transform your outdoor spaces after dark, providing safety, security, and of course, ambiance. Lighting design is where art meets technology and science—and the result can be a subtly illuminated space that retains the charm of nighttime.

The right lighting draws attention to special features in the landscape and offers safe yet striking passage through the space. Lighting within nearby trees, for example, can softly brighten the rest of the landscape for an ethereal aesthetic. And by illuminating the patio surface and steps, you’ll help your guests see where they’re going as they enjoy your outdoor home.

Chances are high that you will want to use your luxurious backyard as much in the evening hours as in the daytime, and outdoor lighting does so much to set the mood once the sun sets.

6. Opt for a Natural Stone Look

When aiming for luxury, the last thing you want to do is sacrifice character. A natural stone aesthetic offers an organic but elegant balance.

With an each-its-own look, natural stone pavers keep your renovated outdoor living space from looking like a cookie-cutter copy of someone else’s backyard. Granite, bluestone, and limestone also give your patio an incredibly sophisticated look. Whether you want to re-create the luxurious feel of old-world estates and castles, or embrace the simple luxury of an ultra-modern space, these materials will instantly add glamour to your backyard.

7. Build Up

Don’t forget the verticals: when you look back through history, you’ll see amazing walls made of hand-cut natural stone time and again. These walls have stood the test of time and remain as beautiful today as the day they were completed.

Perhaps nothing says “luxury” like natural stone walls, especially when they’re combined with elegant gates, high-end light fixtures, and decorative touches.

Alternatively, concrete wall units give you nearly endless design options. For an extra touch of luxury, mix several sizes, textures, and finishes that complement your horizontal surfaces while bringing character to vertical elements like retaining walls, seat walls, kitchen walls, fire features, and water features.

Another way to go high-end with a vertical element is to use large-format wall units with a minimalist finish and a neutral color palette. Understated elegance is often much more luxurious looking than busy outdoor spaces.

8. Live it up!

Ideally, you want your outdoor and indoor experience to have the same elegant feel. A dull poured concrete patio and a sophisticated home are incompatible.

Using materials that harmonize spaces is the first step toward creating a cohesive indoor/outdoor aesthetic, and the addition of a few glamorous touches can transform otherwise ordinary spaces.

Getting Started with High-End Backyard Designs & More

Have more questions about high-end backyard designs and ideas? We’d love to discuss the options with you.

For more inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.

8 High-End Backyard Designs & Ideas