Building the Ultimate Backyard

When the Stelfoxes bought their new home it had everything they hoped for … inside. But the backyard was a large, flat rectangle of grass that some might have considered bland or boring.

“I was looking for a place to relax and find some shade; it gets a little hot in the afternoon in Florida,” Robert told Family Handyman. “I wanted a place to have coffee in the morning and a party in the evening.”

A cozy relaxation spot was a priority for Sara too, but a perfect setting in which to host visiting family and friends was at the top of her list.

The Building Process

Where some might have seen a barren backyard, the Stelfoxes — and the Family Handyman editors — saw a blank canvas upon which one couple’s perfect paradise could be painted.

So they got to work.

Hours of sketching, debating and refining plans resulted in a design that would transform the Stelfoxes backyard into the place of respite they pictured when they bought the property. Features include:

• Modern pergola: peace and privacy without isolation
• Lazy day lounger: a clever built-in that provides comfort and extra storage
• Contemporary patio: modern look and feel minus the oversized price tag
• Grill station: a robust cooking console that will last a lifetime

The Result

Sara’s favorite feature is the roomy lounger. Tucked into a corner, it’s a private getaway where she can relax with a book, a glass of wine or both. Conversely, Robert is partial to the pergola. He feels it transformed the backyard space by blocking the Florida sun while still allowing a cool evening breezes to flow through the space.

Building the Stelfoxes the ultimate backyard would normally have cost more than $10k, based on quotes from local contractors. But thanks to the ingenuity and innovation from the Family Handyman team, it came in at just over $4k.

Check out the May 2020 issue of Family Handyman to read more about the ultimate backyard project.