10 Modern Backyard Ideas That Win in Texas

You’ve found your Texas forever home. You love the interior — now, it’s time to bring your outdoor space into the present. Let our design-build experts jumpstart your renovation inspiration with beautiful, modern backyard ideas.

We’re Allied Outdoor Solutions. Since 2009, we’ve transformed 25,000+ Texas backyards into dream outdoor living spaces with custom designs and modern craftsmanship. Our service in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio has earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

In this article, we’ll teach you the 4 aspects of a great modern backyard ideas. Our outdoor living designers share 10 outdoor renovation ideas. Then, we’ll show you how we delivered a custom, modern outdoor space for some happy Texas homeowners.

What Defines a Great Modern Backyard Idea?

We asked our team of Outdoor Living Designers and Construction Coordinators to define the meaning of a truly modern backyard idea. Here are the 4 concepts they find most important:

1. Seamless outdoor design
2. Timeless, durable materials
3. Indoor/outdoor living
4. Smart technology integration

Don’t wait! Schedule your free design consultation today.

Seamless Outdoor Design

Back door to patio to pool deck to lawn — your outdoor space should provide a free-flowing pathway anywhere you want to go. Much like open floor plans dominate modern interior design, seamless layouts are the backbone of modern backyards.

Work with an outdoor living designer to strategize your new outdoor layout. Find creative ways to ease movement throughout the space and leave plenty of room for cooking, entertainment and relaxation.

Texas design tip: Create clear separation between outdoor zones without bulky barriers or walls. This allows each space to fulfill its intended purpose — no pool guests in the outdoor dining area, for example. Use a small step, changes in hardscaping color or selective landscaping features to create distinct visual borders.

Create vertical separation to add usable space to smaller lots in places like Dallas. Terraced areas and retaining walls allow you to zone your space without cutting into square footage.

Indoor/Outdoor Living

Good backyard renovation ideas flow seamlessly with your existing outdoor spaces. Great ideas create an effortless connection between every aspect of your property — including your existing home and its architectural style.

Create opportunities to transition indoor living into outdoor spaces. Outdoor living rooms, floor-to-ceiling glass doorways and attached covered patios are strong options.

Texas design tip: Be sure to incorporate a shade structure over your space — gable and hip roofs are great at diverting rainwater away from your patio, while leaving ample headspace for increased ventilation. Add smart ventilation onto your solid ceiling, or choose a louvered pergola for control over sun and shade.

Timeless, Durable Materials

Look closely at modern and transitional design, and you’ll see some familiar materials. Aluminum, concrete, cedar, natural stone — these timeless design materials are still the foundational building blocks of great outdoor spaces.

It’s all about how these materials are used and presented. For example, modified concrete overlay is a versatile material that can mimic brick, stone and pavers — but with greater heat and moisture resistance.

Look for ways to incorporate sleek lines and clean structure into your space. You’ll achieve a modern look with the classic materials you know and trust.

Texas design tip: Locally sourced natural stone (like Lueders limestone) saves money on shipping. Choose heat and moisture resistant materials for patio and pool deck flooring — Carvestone is a great modified concrete overlay option formulated to match your existing architecture. Light colors help mitigate direct sunlight and keep surfaces cool.

Utilize materials that complement your region’s style and aesthetic. Wrought iron and terra cotta colors look great in San Antonio, while natural limestone and cedar thrive in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. 

Need more design inspiration? Check out our before & after project gallery!

Smart Technology Integration

Integrate wireless and responsive technology into your outdoor space — make it a space you enjoy, not a space you have to manage.

From lighting to overhead fans, lawn and landscape irrigation, to outdoor water features, control the design features in your revamped backyard space with the touch of an app.

Texas design tip: Smart lighting is ideal for modern backyard design. Set your on/off schedule, brightness, and desired color with a touch on your app. For outdoor kitchens, choose a grill or outdoor range with wireless applications for temperature probes and heat control.

10 Design Features for Your Modern Backyard Upgrade

Trying to incorporate all your modern backyard ideas at once is overwhelming. We’ve simplified the inspiration process for you — we asked our outdoor living designers to list 10 valuable design features to consider for your renovation.

Which of these fit best into your dream outdoor living space? 

Need some extra guidance? Schedule a free conversation with our Texas experts.

Patio Shade Structure

Every thoughtful modern outdoor space begins with a durable patio shade structure — especially in Texas. It’s a crucial addition that provides shade, security and functionality to your outdoor lifestyle for decades.

Here are the 4 ways a covered patio modernizes the way you live outdoors:

1. Heat mitigation: Reduce direct sunlight, heat and UV exposure on your outdoor patio. This protects you, your guests, your outdoor furniture and appliances.
2. Climate protection: A sloped patio roof (hip or gable roof) diverts rain away from your patio. 
3. Moisture protection: Keep humidity and damp conditions away from your natural stone, brick, outdoor TV and sound system.
4. Overhead integration: A solid patio roof allows you to install smart overhead fans, lighting or other features on the ceiling. (More on this later in our list!)

North Texas pro tip: Consider Class 4 weather-rated shingles for your patio roof. Shingles with Class 4 impact resistance increase your protection against hail events and high winds.

Outdoor Living Room

Add more structure around your attached patio to create a true outdoor living room. A solid patio cover and wall structures (or patio privacy walls) provide framework for a space that limits exposure to heat and weather.

In the project shown above, we created an outdoor living room complete with a full sofa set, outdoor television, outdoor fireplace, storage island and a Big Green Egg.

Outdoor Kitchen

Nothing’s more Texas than a backyard BBQ. So why not incorporate a modern outdoor kitchen into your patio or pergola space?

Stainless steel appliances look great in a modern design aesthetic and provide the heavy-duty construction needed to withstand hot summer heat and occasional freezing events. Add a grill island or bar island for flexible seating.

Statement Hardscaping Feature

Choose a hardscaping feature that says, “This is my personal outdoor design!” Not only do you create a visual statement and enhance your property’s curb appeal, you cut down on the time needed for landscaping and lawn maintenance.

Here are some great ideas for statement hardscaping features:

• A custom stone waterfall (pictured above)
• Patterned or dual-toned patio or pool decking
• Outdoor fountain
• Custom emblem or design in concrete flooring
• Custom surrounds for your patio roof supports

Refinished Inground Pool

Upgrade your cracked, outdated pool shell with professional refinishing. Match your new pool materials’ texture and colors to your patio and pool deck hardscaping.

Elevated materials like blue quartzite plaster add enhanced protection (and beauty) to your refinished pool. Porcelain tile, blue glass tile and pebble finishes are also great options.

Poolside Cabana or Pergola

Create a dedicated space to dry off and relax with a poolside cabana or pool deck pergola. It provides a structured environment to gather next to the pool. This is a great feature for pool parties — collect everyone in one area instead of kids running everywhere.

Your new cabana also creates potential for an outdoor TV, sound system or small grill. Add a table and lounge chairs and enjoy drinks by the pool. The possibilities are endless!

Custom Fire Feature

Texans have gathered around the fire since before the state was founded. Modernize this timeless tradition with a custom fire feature — you’ll create an instant conversation piece, gathering place and a dynamic visual statement.

Consider these outdoor fire feature options for your modern backyard:

• Custom fire pit: for gathering, open-air warmth and making s’mores
• Custom fire table: for poolside warmth with the safety of tempered glass
• Outdoor fireplace: for patio and outdoor living room gatherings

Native Plant Garden With Paver Pathway

Native plants are the modern solution to smart gardening and landscaping. They evolved to thrive where you live — that means less maintenance and less money spent on garden and lawn irrigation.

Here are some native plants that work great in modern Texas gardens:

Add a paver pathway to your garden or between walkway gardens. You’ll create a defined flow between outdoor zones and reduce landscaping maintenance with a hardscape area.

Smart Lighting Fixtures

Who wants to head inside when the sun goes down? Keep your outdoor entertainment going into the evening with smart lighting fixtures. Preset timers, adjust brightness and colors directly from your smartphone.

Landscape uplighting is a gorgeous way to amplify your garden beds and exterior home facades at nighttime. Illuminate your space with the hue of your choice.

Smart Fans and Ventilation

Whether it’s 100+ days of 100°F heat in Dallas or blazing humidity in Houston, Texans know the feeling of “too hot to go outside”. Add in the heat and smoke of outdoor grilling, and it’s easy to see why ventilation is crucial to a modern outdoor space.

Integrate smart fans under patio and pergola covers, especially in outdoor kitchen and grill areas. Lattice and slatted pergola roofs provide natural ventilation options, but offer less protection against rain and UV radiation.

Tying it All Together: A Modern Backyard Design Case Study

Let’s take a look at a recent Allied Outdoor Solutions project that combines the major elements of an ideal modern backyard design.

From shade structure to refinished pool, custom fire feature to local plants and smart lighting integration, discover what makes this elevated outdoor space a timeless backyard retreat for decades to come.

Key Design Considerations

Each Allied Outdoor Solutions client is provided their own project management team: an Outdoor Living Designer, Construction Coordinator and Construction Supervisor. Homeowners benefit from direct points of contact and clear communication at every project stage.

The homeowners presented their dedicated design-build team with a thoughtful wishlist of “must have” features for their backyard renovation:

1. Seamless indoor/outdoor design. The space had to feel like a true extension of their existing home. Colors, materials and functional layout were all considered.
2. Custom design features. No “cookie cutter” solutions here. From a unique hardscaping design on the pool deck to separate outdoor kitchen and living room areas, these homeowners wanted a truly personalized outdoor living experience.
3. Functional outdoor zoning. Although the overall design is seamless, each zone is clearly defined and separated. 
4. Unique relaxation options. Sure, there are lounge chairs on the pool deck — but what about loungers in the pool? We also built a skylight feature into the patio roof to deliver sunlight without added heat.
5. Low maintenance landscaping. Native plants, shrubs and trees are equipped to thrive in this backyard — that means lower irrigation costs. Extended hardscaping areas reduce the overall time spent on mowing the lawn.
6. Smart lighting throughout the space. From patio to outdoor kitchen, spa to custom fire pit area, every LED light in this backyard is controlled by one app.

Materials Used

We used the following outdoor building materials for this modern backyard project:

• Patio and pool decking: Carvestone modified concrete overlay
• Refinished pool and spa: Porcelain tile
• Outdoor kitchen countertops: Black granite
• Shade structure: Aluminum
• Custom kitchen island support structure: Steel tubing and cement board

Features and Design Elements

These “must-have” features and design elements are incorporated into the completed design:

• Sleek, lightweight aluminum patio cover with built-in skylights
• Custom grill island with heavy-duty stainless steel grill
• Custom fire pit and seating
• Custom Carvestone two-toned pool deck
• Elevated circular spa with built-in lighting
• Refinished inground pool with in-pool loungers
• Semicircular border shrubs and xeriscape plants in concrete pillar urns
• Plush beige outdoor sofas and lounge chairs
• Outdoor dining table for 6
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass back doors 

The outdoor oasis you’ve imagined? We’ll help make it real. Schedule your free consultation. 

The Finished Outdoor Space

These Texas homeowners instantly fell in love with their renovated outdoor space. Five distinct outdoor zones (outdoor living room, outdoor kitchen, custom fire pit, pool and spa, and lawn space) provide clearly defined function.

The off-white, beige and gray color palette throughout the hardscaping, furniture and design elements allows for endless customization. Add seasonal pops of color throughout the year, or retain the neutral color scheme to let the lush green landscaping shine through.

Low-maintenance features and smart tech integration make owning this outdoor space a breeze. Most surfaces are easily cleaned with a garden hose or low-pressure power washer. Every light in this backyard is controlled with the touch of your smartphone.

Texas’ Most Trusted Outdoor Living Design-Build Experts

Here’s how other happy Texas homeowners reviewed their outdoor renovation experience with Allied Outdoor Solutions:

“We had a complete patio addition and extension in our backyard with outdoor kitchen. We also leveled out the current patio to one even level with Carvestone overlay. We are beyond thrilled with the end product. Allied Outdoor Solutions seamlessly handled permitting, inspections, and coordination with timing, materials, demo, rebuild and reframing.” – Benita F.

“"Services provided by Allied include an outdoor kitchen, extended patio and Carvestone added to our existing patio. They were excellent at leading the projects and keeping us informed as to the timing. They also responded quickly when we had questions and concerns. We are very happy with the outcome of our projects and recommend them." – Dawn B.

Turn Your Modern Backyard Ideas Into Reality

The best modern backyard ideas provide seamless indoor/outdoor living, thoughtful design features, timeless material selection and smart technology integration. 

At Allied Outdoor Solutions, we customize outdoor living spaces that continue to feel modern years after installation. Our design-build professionals deliver clear communication, construction insights and local expertise to every project.

Are you ready to turn your backyard dreams into your new way of life? 

Talk to us. The consultation’s free, and the way you’ll feel is priceless.