The backyard design around the pool.
More than a pool yard.
A pool is the centerpiece, but it’s the rest of the yard that determines how often you actually use it. Shade for August afternoons. A kitchen so dinner doesn’t pull people back inside. Fire for the months the pool isn’t the draw. Landscape that survives the desert.
We design and build the whole outdoor environment as one project, on one schedule, with one team. Pergolas, kitchens, firepits, travertine, pavers, lighting, turf, and desert-appropriate landscape, all coordinated so the result feels designed, not stitched together by four different trades.
Outdoor living scopes vary widely, so the proposal is fully line-item. Want a pergola and a fire feature? Quoted. Want the full backyard, kitchen included? Quoted. You pick the scope, we sequence the build.
Hardscape and irrigation work on our projects runs under our own specialty license — CR-21 Hardscaping & Irrigation Systems, ROC #367131 — alongside our KA-5 pool license, ROC #355710. Pergola footings, paver bases, and irrigation lines get the same permitted, inspected treatment as the pool shell. No handshake subcontracting on the parts you’ll walk on every day.
At a glance
The Desertscape difference
Whole-yard design first
Desert-appropriate landscape
Material continuity
Engineered fire & gas features
Lighting that completes the design
Transparent, line-item pricing
a transparent process
Discovery & Design
Site visit, lifestyle questions, whole-yard design direction with 3D rendering.
Week 1Materials & Permits
Confirm decking, kitchen, fire, lighting, and landscape selections. Permits as required.
Week 2Hardscape & Foundations
Decking, pavers, hardscape, and structural foundations for pergolas and kitchens.
Week 3Structures & Features
Pergolas, kitchens, fire features, lighting, and gas/electrical connections.
Weeks 4-6Landscape & Finish
Turf, plantings, final lighting calibration, walkthrough.
Weeks 7-8two ways to build
Desert Living Essentials
Engineered steel & proper plumbing
Smart automation & efficient equipment
Auto-fill & dedicated vacuum lines
Standard interior finish & tile
3D design & line-item pricing
Desert Living Premium
Everything in Essentials, upgraded
Water features & LED lighting
Travertine decking & coping
Outdoor living & landscape add-ons
what homeowners ask
Can outdoor living be done without a pool project?
Absolutely. Many of our outdoor living projects are standalone refreshes for homes with existing pools, or for yards that don't have a pool at all. The whole-yard design approach works the same way.
Can you work with my existing landscape and hardscape?
Yes. We design around what's worth keeping. Mature trees, existing decking that's in good shape, established landscape, all factored into the plan rather than ripped out as a default.
Do you handle the gas and electrical work for kitchens and fire features?
Yes, as part of the build. We coordinate licensed gas and electrical trades so everything is code-compliant and inspected. No piecemealing it out to homeowners.
How long does an outdoor living project take?
3 to 8 weeks depending on scope. A pergola and firepit are quick. A full transformation with kitchen, landscape, and multiple structures takes longer because of sequencing.
How much does outdoor living cost?
Outdoor scopes vary widely. A pergola and firepit might be $20K to $30K. A full backyard with kitchen, fire, decking, and landscape can run $80K+. We'll give you a transparent range and full line-item proposal.