A Southern California luxury home is not complete without an elegant backyard space for entertaining all your friends, family, and neighbors.

These 7 backyard design ideas are meant to inspire your imagination and help you decide on how to improve your home with a balance of beauty and functionality.

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Check Out What A Happy Homeowner Had to Say

After an intense process of finding the right Design Build company we choose Eco Minded Solutions for a large home remodel project for our Carlsbad home. From the initial consultation to the completion of the project, everything ran smoothly. The crew was always on time and often worked longer than expected to keep the project on track. Loving our newly remodeled home and would highly recommend Eco Minded!

What does your home need?
An outdoor eco-friendly water feature, a classy fire pit, or maybe that top-of-the line outdoor cooking space typically reserved for an executive chef?

Learn more in our image slideshow gallery below and click the image or button to see the full gallery for each type from our creative landscape designers.

1. The Classic Barbeque, Patio & Lawn

This gorgeous backyard is based on drought-tolerant landscaping ideas and located in Del Mar. This patio is a great example of the perfect barbecue venue for the summer holidays with an open and airy outdoor kitchen and dining area for entertaining/impressing friends.

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2. Backyard Kegs & Mini Putt

This backyard was designed not only for family and friends, but also for sinking putts to make sure you’re ready for the next round with the in-laws. Could also be used for putt putt tournaments during a barbecue or get together this summer!

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3. Open Space with a Hardscape

Hardscaping is one of the most functional backyard design ideas, and one of the best looking! This patio and pool design creates a resort-style feel in th

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4. Natural Stone and Custom Outdoor BBQ!

This is one of our favorite backyard design ideas with the use of natural stone and concrete pavers for the floor surface. With a unique overhead shade structure and dining island, this smaller size backyard received a full spa resort treatment for better entertaining.

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5. Cold At Night? Let there be Fire!

The water feature & fire pit enhancement is one of the more unique backyard design ideas with an extra flare. Enjoy the cool evenings with additional warmth or add life to your landscape with a waterfall, pond, or fountain for a comfortable and inviting entertainment space.

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6. Swim, Stand, or Sit in Style!

This project in Del Mar portrays a variety of outdoor furniture for use with different backyard design ideas. With use of drought tolerant plants, paver design and installation, jacuzzi, fire pit, and water feature, this design is ready for any type of backyard Summer fun.

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7. Backyard Bar Grill & Shade

The overhead arched pergola type structure is great for shade to the cook and guests to enjoy their meal during a hot summer day! Soak in all of the fun of being outside without getting sunburnt or getting sun in your eyes while you hang in the shade.

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Featured Backyard Design

Just your typical outdoor bar or super cool secret disappearing TV? This client got the best of both worlds. Now they’re able to watch football, movies, or enjoy a barbecue and beverages with friends and family outside in the comfort of their very own Eco Minded backyard!

Tips for Eco-Friendly Grilling

While thinking about outdoor backyard design ideas for parties over the summer and beyond, here are some ideas to consider when shopping for a new BBQ grill.

  • Gas grills are great for their quick start time, but use non-renewable fossil fuels. They emit less smoke and particulate matter directly onto the cook site and offer minimal clean up. If using a gas grill make sure to invest in an energy efficient model with refillable gas tanks.
  • Charcoal/wood grills are embraced for the taste added to food but studies show release twice as much carbon as a gas grill. Lighter fluids are also harmful to the ozone layer. Use lump charcoal, as opposed to briquettes, to reduce additives such as sodium nitrate and a charcoal chimney instead of lighter fluid. Produced from wood and trees, lump charcoal takes up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • Electric grills have similar cooking time, temperature and flavor as a gas grill, but have the highest GHG footprint (depending on the origin of the electricity). Great choice if your power is from green sources rather than traditional home electricity.
  • Pellet and hybrid grills are beginning to emerge to optimize electricity, but accommodate small amounts of wood or charcoal to add extra flavor. Hard to find, but these grills are the next best thing in eco-friendly backyard BBQs.

Backyard Design Ideas – Eco-Friendly Approach

Whether interested in eco-friendly bathroom design ideas, elegant whole home remodeling, or just a backyard redesign, our designers specialize in creative techniques that save you money and while helping preserve the environment.

Contact our design team for a free consultation in the San Diego and Southern California area.

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