Sarah Mitchell never imagined herself as someone who would spend thousands of dollars on landscaping. Five years ago, her backyard was what she calls “aggressively boring”: a flat expanse of patchy grass, a crumbling concrete patio, and the typical suburban fence that did absolutely nothing for privacy or aesthetics. Today, her backyard is the envy of her entire neighborhood, complete with multiple seating areas, mature plantings, and a stunning fire feature that draws friends and family like moths to a flame.
We sat down with Sarah on a crisp autumn afternoon in her transformed backyard to talk about her journey from outdoor-space-avoider to backyard enthusiast, the mistakes she made along the way, and why investing in professional help was the best decision she ever made.
So Sarah, take me back to the beginning. What made you finally decide to do something about your backyard?
Honestly, it was the embarrassment. We’d been in the house for three years, and we kept making excuses about why we never hosted anything. My husband and I would go to friends’ houses for barbecues and parties, and their yards were just so inviting. Meanwhile, we were actively hiding our backyard from guests. We’d talk about having people over, and then one of us would look out the window at that depressing patch of dirt and weeds and just say “maybe next month.”
Eventually, I got tired of always being the guest and never the host. I realized we were letting this neglected area of our property dictate our entire social life, and that felt ridiculous. It was like we were paying a mortgage on a space we refused to acknowledge existed.
That’s a pretty powerful realization. Did you jump right into a major renovation, or was it more gradual?
Oh, it was definitely gradual, which in hindsight was probably a mistake. At first, I thought I could DIY the whole thing. I spent weeks on Pinterest creating boards and watching YouTube videos about hardscaping and plant selection. I convinced myself that hiring professionals was wasteful and that I could figure it out on my own.
So I started small. I bought some plants from the big box store and tried to create a little garden bed along the fence line. Within two months, half the plants were dead, and the ones that survived looked completely out of place. I had no concept of scale, timing, or what would actually thrive in my yard’s conditions. The whole thing just looked sad and random.
What changed your approach?
My neighbor, actually. She’d recently had her front yard redone by a local landscaping company, and the transformation was incredible. I kept walking past her house and thinking about how cohesive and intentional everything looked. Every plant seemed to belong exactly where it was placed. The hardscaping flowed naturally. It told a story.
One day, I swallowed my pride and asked her about the process. She gave me the name of her landscaper and encouraged me to at least get a consultation.
She basically told me I could keep spinning my wheels and throwing money at things that might not work, or I could just hire someone who does this for a living and actually knows what they’re doing. That really resonated because I’d already blown through a few hundred bucks on my failed attempts.
Walk me through what happened after you made that call.
The consultation itself was eye-opening. I expected someone to show up with a clipboard and give me a quote, but instead, I got this really thoughtful conversation about how we actually wanted to use our backyard. The landscape designer asked questions I’d never even considered. Did we want to entertain large groups or have intimate gatherings? Were we morning coffee people or evening wine people? Did we want high maintenance or low maintenance? How much privacy did we need from neighbors? He even asked about our daily routines and what times of day we’d most likely be outside. It felt less like hiring a contractor and more like working with someone who genuinely wanted to understand our lifestyle before proposing any solutions.
The designer walked every inch of our property, taking notes about sun exposure, drainage issues I didn’t even know we had, and sight lines from inside the house. Then he started talking about creating “rooms” in the backyard: different zones for different activities. That concept completely changed how I thought about the yard. It wasn’t just a patch of grass. It could be a living, breathing extension of our home.
What did the final design include?
The plan was ambitious. We decided to remove most of the existing grass and create three distinct areas. Near the house, we’d have a large paver patio with an outdoor kitchen setup that included a built-in grill, some counter space, and storage. The middle section would be a conversation area with comfortable seating surrounding a custom outdoor fire pit installation that would serve as the focal point. Then further back, we’d have a more casual, open area with native plantings and a small putting green for my husband, who’s a golf obsessive.
The whole design prioritized flow and functionality over just looking pretty. Every element had a purpose. The fire pit area, for instance, was positioned to take advantage of the best sunset views while being tucked away enough from the house that smoke wouldn’t drift toward our windows. Details like that make all the difference between a space that looks good in photos and one you actually want to spend time in.
Let’s talk about that fire feature specifically. Why was that such a priority for you?
Growing up, some of my best memories were around campfires at my grandparents’ cabin up north. There’s something primal and connecting about sitting around fire with people you care about. Conversations flow differently. People relax. I wanted to recreate that feeling in my own backyard, but in a way that felt sophisticated and intentional rather than just throwing some chairs around a basic fire ring. My husband and I had talked for years about wanting a gathering spot that would naturally draw people together, and a fire feature seemed like the perfect anchor for that vision. We knew it would be a significant investment, but we also knew it would become the kind of element that defines the entire yard.
We spent a lot of time deciding between a fire pit and a full outdoor fireplace. The fireplace was gorgeous but felt too formal for how we wanted to use the space. We ultimately went with a large, circular stone fire pit with built-in seating on one side and movable chairs on the other. The stone matches the pavers we used for the main patio, which helps tie the whole space together visually.
Underneath, there’s a propane system, so we don’t have to deal with wood smoke or ash cleanup. You just turn it on, and within minutes, you have beautiful flames. It’s become the heart of our backyard.
That sounds incredible. Were there any unexpected challenges during the installation?
About a million. The biggest issue was discovering that our yard had terrible drainage. We’d always known that one corner got soggy after rain, but we had no idea how bad the problem actually was. The landscaping crew had to install a whole drainage system with French drains and strategic grading before they could even start on the hardscaping. That added time and cost we hadn’t anticipated, but it was absolutely necessary. Without addressing that issue first, all the beautiful pavers and plantings would have been compromised within a year or two.
Looking back, what would you tell someone who’s considering a similar project?
I would say budget more than you think you need. Our project ended up being about 30% more than the initial estimate, partly because of those drainage issues but also because we made changes and upgrades as we went. Once you see the possibilities, it’s really tempting to add things. We originally weren’t going to do landscape lighting, but watching the crew work made me realize how much ambiance and safety it would add. Those little additions accumulate quickly. I’d also say to think about the long-term maintenance requirements before you commit to anything. We almost went with a much more elaborate planting scheme that would have required constant deadheading and pruning. Our landscaper gently suggested we scale back and choose heartier, lower-maintenance varieties instead. I’m so glad we listened. I love spending time in my yard, but I don’t want to be a slave to it.
Another thing I learned is to be patient with the process. Landscaping doesn’t look finished the day installation wraps up. Plants need time to establish and fill in. Hardscaping needs to settle. We were so eager to start using our new space that we had to remind ourselves that nature works on its own timeline. Within six months, though, everything had matured enough that the yard looked exactly how we’d envisioned it.
Trust your landscaper’s expertise, too. There were moments when I wanted to override their recommendations because I’d seen something I liked on Instagram or in a magazine. Every single time I pushed back, I was wrong. They know your climate, your soil, your sun exposure. They’ve seen what works and what fails. Listen to them.
How has having this transformed space changed your life?
That sounds dramatic, but it genuinely has. We host dinner parties now. My kids actually want to play outside instead of being glued to screens. My husband and I have our coffee out there almost every morning when weather permits. We’ve gotten to know our neighbors better because they see us outside and stop to chat. Last month, we hosted a small wedding reception for my cousin, and multiple guests told us it felt like we’d transported them to some fancy resort. That would have been unthinkable in our old yard. I think what surprised me most is how much our relationship as a couple has benefited from having this space. We actually talk more now because we have this relaxing environment that encourages us to just sit and be present with each other instead of constantly being distracted by screens or household tasks.
The fire pit specifically has created this ritual for our family. Friday nights, we make s’mores and just sit together talking about the week. Sometimes friends join us, sometimes it’s just the four of us. Either way, it’s become sacred time that wouldn’t exist without that space beckoning us outside. You can’t put a price on memories like that.
There’s also something about having a beautiful backyard that makes you more present and mindful. I find myself noticing seasonal changes I never paid attention to before. The way light hits the plantings at different times of day. The sound of birds that visit our new native plants. It’s made me more connected to where I live in a way I didn’t anticipate.
Any final thoughts for people on the fence about investing in their yard?
Stop waiting for the perfect time or the perfect budget. Yes, it’s an investment. Yes, it’s disruptive while it’s happening. Yes, you’ll probably spend more than you planned. It’s still worth every penny. Your home’s yard is valuable real estate that most people completely underutilize. We spend so much money and energy on our interior spaces, but then we ignore a third of our property. That makes no sense. Life is short. Create spaces that bring you joy and bring people together. You won’t regret it.