Design the Backyard Your Family Will Never Forget
The best outdoor spaces aren't designed around a budget. They're designed around the life you want to live. Let's discover what your perfect outdoor lifestyle looks like.
Imagine walking into your backyard five years from now.
The kids are laughing. Friends are gathered around the outdoor kitchen.
Dinner is almost ready. The dogs are playing in the yard. Music is softly playing.
No one is looking at their phones. No one wants to go inside.
That's what we're here to build. Not just a backyard. A better way to live.
A better way to plan an outdoor living space
The AE Outdoor Lifestyle Planner™ is a free, guided backyard planner for Arizona homeowners. Instead of jumping straight to pool design, outdoor kitchens, or landscape design, it starts with how your family actually wants to live outside — then translates that into a personalized outdoor living plan.
You'll be asked about your ideal Saturday, the people and pets sharing the space, the features that would matter most, and the memories you want this backyard to help create. From your answers, we generate an Outdoor Lifestyle Profile with recommended spaces, materials, lighting, fire features, water features, turf, and suggested project phases.
No budget forms, no sales calls, no email required to start. Your progress is saved on your device, and you can print or save your final plan whenever you're ready.
Explore The Full Outdoor Living World
Common questions we hear before a project starts
Where should I start when planning my backyard?+
Start with how you want to live, not what you want to buy. The AE Outdoor Lifestyle Planner walks you through your ideal Saturday, who the space is for, what you want more of, and what's getting in the way — before ever touching a product list or budget. That order almost always produces a better backyard.
How much space do I need for a pool?+
Most Arizona backyards can accommodate a pool with room to spare — the question is proportion, not square footage. A 12x24 pool with a Baja shelf works in modest yards; larger lots open up beach entries, swim lanes, and integrated spas. Our pool planning guide walks through footprint, setbacks, HOA rules, and how a pool fits the rest of your outdoor living plan.
How do I design an outdoor kitchen?+
Design the kitchen around how you cook and host, not around appliance catalogs. Start with grill vs pizza oven vs smoker, then plan prep space, refrigeration, seating, and shade. Aim for a working triangle just like an indoor kitchen, and locate it near the house for utility runs and easy service.
What makes a good family backyard?+
Layered zones — a swim zone, a shade zone, a play zone, and a gather zone — connected by durable surfaces and lit for evenings. The best family yards give kids room to burn energy, adults room to relax, and everyone a reason to eat outside.
Should I build everything at once or in phases?+
Both work when the master plan is right. Phasing lets you spread investment while protecting long-term design — as long as underground utilities, drainage, and hardscape base are set up for future features from day one. Your Lifestyle Profile at the end of this planner includes a suggested phasing sequence.
What adds the most value to a backyard?+
In Arizona, shade and water. A well-designed pool with proper equipment and a covered outdoor living space consistently return the most enjoyment and resale value. Landscape lighting, drainage, and durable hardscape follow closely — they protect everything else.
How can I make my backyard kid-friendly?+
Prioritize soft-fall surfaces, glass pool fencing or an ASTM-compliant safety fence, generous shade, and a splash pad or Baja shelf for younger kids. Add a basketball pad or turf sports area for older ones. Design pathways so kids can run without dodging planters.
What features are best for dogs?+
Artificial turf with an AE Pet Turf Infiltration System, shaded run areas, a dog wash near the door, and pet-safe plants. Avoid crushed decomposed granite in main play zones — it tracks indoors and gets brutally hot in summer.
How much shade should I plan for?+
Aim to shade at least one-third of your primary outdoor living zone from mid-morning through late afternoon. A combination of a covered patio or ramada, a mature shade tree or two, and a pergola over dining almost always outperforms one big cover.
Should I finance an outdoor living project?+
Financing lets many families build the right project in one phase instead of a compromised version now and a redo later. AE offers vetted financing partners and can help you compare monthly options — usually alongside a phased build plan so you can decide what fits.