What We Learned Building 100+ Backyards in 2025

Looking Back at 2025

Another year, another hundred-plus backyards transformed. Every project teaches us something—about design, materials, client needs, and the industry. Here's what stood out in 2025 and how it shapes what we're doing in 2026.

Most Requested Feature: Cold Plunge + Spa

I mentioned this in our trends post, but it deserves emphasis: cold plunge requests exploded. About 35% of our pool projects now include dedicated cold plunge—up from maybe 10% the year before.

What we learned: Size the chiller correctly the first time. Undersized chillers run constantly and fail early. We now spec minimum 1HP chillers for most residential plunges.

Biggest Client Regret: Not Planning for Shade

When we do post-project check-ins, the most common regret is 'I wish we'd added more shade.' Clients love their new patios—until August, when sitting outside during the day is unbearable.

What we're doing differently: We now show clients shade simulations showing sun angles at different times of year. Shade isn't optional in LA; it's what makes outdoor spaces usable.

Material That Outperformed: Porcelain Pavers

Porcelain pavers had a great year. They're more expensive than concrete pavers but the performance difference is noticeable:

• Virtually zero water absorption (won't stain or mold)
• Stay cooler in sun than concrete or natural stone
• Incredible durability (rated for commercial traffic)
• Clean, modern aesthetic clients love

For pool decks especially, porcelain is becoming our standard recommendation.

Material That Disappointed: Entry-Level Turf

We saw too many problems with cheap turf—not our installs, but competitors' work we were called to fix. Entry-level turf with minimal infill shows seams, fades faster, and feels noticeably plastic.

What we're doing differently: We raised our minimum turf spec. Our entry-level is now what used to be mid-tier. The quality difference is worth the extra $2-3/sq ft.

Supply Chain Win: LED Fixtures

LED landscape lighting is better and cheaper than ever. Quality fixtures that cost $150 three years ago are now $80 with better specs. Color-changing options are reliable now (they weren't before).

We're including more lighting in base packages because the cost-to-impact ratio is excellent.

The Trend That's Worth It: Multi-Zone Design

Clients who invested in distinct zones (lounge, dining, cooking, play) use their backyards dramatically more than single-purpose designs. It's not about square footage—it's about creating reasons to be outside.

Every corner of our backyard gets used now. The fire pit area, the dining spot, the pool—it all flows together. Couldn't imagine it before seeing the design. — Mary Lou F., via Yelp

What We're Changing in 2026

Based on 2025 lessons, here's what's evolving:

1. Shade planning is now mandatory in design phase, not optional
2. Heat pump sizing getting more conservative (slightly oversized is better)
3. Porcelain pavers becoming default recommendation for pool decks
4. Minimum turf quality raised across all packages
5. More lighting included in base quotes
6. Cold plunge infrastructure offered on all pool projects

Our Team Grew

We added two project managers and a dedicated design coordinator this year. This means faster response times, better project tracking, and more capacity to take on complex projects without compromising quality.

Growth is good when it means serving clients better. We're at a size where we can handle big projects efficiently while still maintaining the personal attention that defines our work.