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12 Backyard Ideas from Southern California Homes
From outdoor kitchens to plunge pools and fire-smart borders: ideas that work in real yards, and what to check before you build.
By the American Home editorial team
- Treat the backyard as another room you use all year.
- Shade comes first: a pergola, a covered patio or a big tree.
- Low-water planting and gravel save water and work well with fire-safe design.
- Gas, water, electrical, covered structures and pools usually need permits.
- Start with utilities and hardscape, then add furniture and plants.
Southern California yards get used year-round, so the best ideas treat the backyard as another room. Here are twelve that work in real lots, from small side yards to full backyards, with what to check before you build.
1. A covered outdoor kitchen
Design conceptA grill, a counter and a sink under a solid roof turn the patio into the place everyone gathers. Keep the cooking zone close to the house door, and leave room to set plates down on both sides of the grill.
Good to know: Gas, water and electrical lines each need permits, and a solid roof cover usually needs a building permit in Los Angeles. See our outdoor living cost guide for typical prices.
2. A pergola lounge for afternoon shade
Design conceptA pergola over deep outdoor sofas gives you shade without closing in the yard. Wood beams feel warm, while aluminum needs less upkeep. Add a shade cloth or louvered roof if the sun hits hard in the afternoon.
Good to know: Attached pergolas, and freestanding ones over 120 square feet, generally need a permit in Los Angeles.
3. A sunken fire pit circle
Design conceptA fire pit set a step down into gravel, with a built-in bench around it, feels like a separate room. It works in a corner of the yard, away from the house and from trees.
Good to know: Choose gas or wood with fire safety in mind. Keep fire features well away from the house and overhanging branches, and check local burn rules.
4. A drought-tolerant garden
Design conceptAgave, lavender, grasses and boulders, with decomposed granite paths between them, look good year-round and use far less water than a lawn.
Good to know: Many Southern California water agencies offer rebates for replacing lawn. Check with yours before you remove the grass.
5. A long table under a tree
Design conceptA dining table for eight under a big shade tree is one of the simplest upgrades. Gravel underfoot drains well and keeps the space casual.
Good to know: Give the tree roots room. Avoid pouring concrete close to the trunk.
6. A plunge pool instead of a full pool
Design conceptA small, deep pool cools you off in summer and takes up a fraction of the yard. It pairs well with a couple of lounge chairs and a privacy wall.
Good to know: Pools and spas need permits, and California requires drowning-prevention safety features for new ones.
7. An outdoor shower
Design conceptA slatted screen, a stone floor and a wall-mounted shower head are perfect after the beach or the pool. Place it near an existing water line to keep costs down.
Good to know: Plan for drainage and check whether your city requires a plumbing permit.
8. A citrus courtyard
Design conceptPotted lemon and orange trees, patterned tile and a small bistro table make even a narrow side yard feel like a destination.
Good to know: Use large pots with drainage holes, and place them where they get at least half a day of sun.
9. A compact deck for a narrow yard
Design conceptA low deck with two lounge chairs and planters along the fence makes the most of a tight space. A shade sail overhead keeps it usable at midday.
Good to know: Platforms more than 30 inches above grade are treated as decks in Los Angeles and need permits and guard rails.
10. Raised vegetable beds
Design conceptRaised steel or wood beds with gravel paths between them are easy to plant, water and harvest, and they look tidy year-round.
Good to know: Put them in the sunniest part of the yard and run drip irrigation to each bed.
11. A backyard studio or ADU
Design conceptA small backyard unit can be a home office, a guest room or a rental. It is the biggest project on this list, and often the most valuable.
Good to know: Read our guide to building an ADU in Los Angeles for costs and rules.
12. A fire-smart border around the house
Design conceptA band of gravel or pavers in the first five feet around the house, with plants set farther out, looks clean and keeps embers away from the walls.
Good to know: Read what the state’s Zone 0 rules would mean for your yard.
Before you start
- Decide how you want to use the yard: cooking, lounging, playing, growing or working.
- Start with the parts that are hard to change later: utilities, drainage and hardscape.
- Get two or three itemized quotes, and check the contractor’s license before you sign.
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