Backyards · 9 ideas

Desert & Southwest Backyard Ideas

Desert and Southwest backyards take their cues from Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas: earthy stucco and rammed earth, flat roofs and deep overhangs, gravel gardens planted with agave, yucca, cactus and desert trees, and shade structures that make the outdoors usable at noon.

Modern Classic Tropical Mediterranean Modern Farmhouse Mid-Century Modern Coastal English Cottage

Curving Artificial Turf with Fire Bowl Desert backyard

Covered Timber Patio Beside Desert Pool Desert backyard

Tan Shade Sail Over Gravel Patio Desert backyard

Desert Patio Overlooking Fire Pit and Lawn Desert backyard

Desert Patio with Fire Pit and Bench Desert backyard

Desert Pool with Louvered Shade Pavilion Desert backyard

Desert Lounge with Weathered Steel Fire Pit Desert backyard

Slatted Pergola over Desert Dining Patio Desert backyard

Desert Patio with Corten Fire Pit Desert backyard

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About this collection

Desert & Southwest Backyard Ideas, explained.

Notice how the best backyard designs use colour sparingly — a corten wall, a turquoise door, the blue of a pool — against the neutral ground. Save the schemes that match your sun and your soil.

Desert and Southwest design is shade, earth and sky. Look for stucco or adobe in earthy tones, flat roofs with deep overhangs, decomposed granite and gravel instead of lawn, and planting of agave, yucca, saguaro, ocotillo, palo verde and desert wildflowers. Corten steel, concrete and rammed earth handle the sun; ramadas, shade sails and pergolas make midday usable; and lighting stays low so the stars can compete.