Before You Put Away the Grill, Plan Next Year's Backyard

In this article:

• Why should you plan next year's backyard before you put away the grill?
• What frustrated you about your backyard this summer?
• How do you turn those frustrations into a backyard wish list?
• Why should a backyard plan start with how you use the space?
• Which backyard upgrades fix common summer problems?
• Do you have to tackle your whole wish list at once?
• How can Fine Touch Services help plan your backyard?
• What else should you know about planning next year's backyard?

Why should you plan next year's backyard before you put away the grill?

Fall is when most homeowners clean off the patio, cover the grill, and stop thinking about the backyard until spring. But right now, at the end of a full season outside, you know exactly what worked and what didn't.

In this video, Jake Morris, founder of Fine Touch Services, explains why that fresh memory is the best starting point for planning next year's backyard. Planning now isn't about rushing a project. It's about capturing what you learned this summer before you forget it.

What frustrated you about your backyard this summer?

Jake asks homeowners to think back to how the backyard actually worked this summer. A few common frustrations come up again and again:

• Too little shade: Were you moving chairs around to find shade?
• Cramped seating: Did everyone squeeze onto the patio when you had company?
• No privacy: Maybe you wanted more privacy from neighbors or the street.
• An awkward cooking area: Did cooking mean squeezing past guests every time you needed something?

Jake Morris:
"Those frustrations are a great starting point for a better backyard."

Small annoyances like these are easy to shrug off in the moment. Written down, they become a clear picture of what your outdoor space needs.

How do you turn those frustrations into a backyard wish list?

This fall, Jake recommends making a simple wish list. You don't need a design or a budget yet. Just follow two steps.

Start with what bothered you most

Put your biggest frustrations at the top. If you avoided the patio on hot afternoons, shade goes first. If hosting felt crowded, seating space goes first.

Separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves

Next, sort the list into must-haves and nice-to-haves. A must-have solves a problem you dealt with all summer. A nice-to-have is an upgrade you'd enjoy but could live without for now. This keeps the plan focused on what will make the biggest difference.

Why should a backyard plan start with how you use the space?

Before talking about what to add, Jake wants to understand how you use the space. Do you host big gatherings or quiet family dinners? Do you cook outside often? Do you spend more time out there in the afternoon or after dark?

Starting with how you live outdoors helps avoid a common mistake: adding features that look great but don't fix the problems that sent you indoors. To see how this works in practice, read about the Fine Touch Services customer process.

Which backyard upgrades fix common summer problems?

Once your priorities are clear, Jake might look at options like these:

• A larger seating area for gatherings that outgrew the current patio. Explore patio and hardscaping services.
• A shade structure such as a pergola or gazebo. See decks, pergolas, and gazebos.
• Privacy planting to screen views from neighbors or the street. Learn more in our guide to planning a better backyard privacy screen.
• A better layout around the grill so cooking doesn't compete with foot traffic. Read how to plan an outdoor kitchen or fire pit.

The right fix depends on your yard and your list. Jake's job is to match the solution to the problem, not to sell you every option.

Do you have to tackle your whole wish list at once?

No. As Jake puts it, you don't have to tackle everything at once. A good plan puts your top priorities first and leaves room to add the nice-to-haves later.

Working in phases can make a bigger backyard vision more manageable. For larger hardscape or landscape projects, Fine Touch also offers financing options.

How can Fine Touch Services help plan your backyard?

Fine Touch Services helps homeowners across Indianapolis and the northern suburbs, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville, turn backyard frustrations into a clear plan. See all of our service areas.

Ready to talk through your backyard wish list? Call (317) 771-2332 or request a free quote from Fine Touch Services, and let's get started.