What to Expect From Your Outdoor Living Design
How to Review Designs, Ask Better Questions, and Plan a Space That Works
You have ideas for your backyard and are ready to see them come together. But what should an outdoor living design actually show you? Is a 2D layout enough, or should you invest in a 3D design? And how do you know whether the space on the screen will work in real life?
In this edition of Beyond the Build, Darby Wilcox and Nick Liput of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Living sit down with designer Jeff Hoolihan to explain what homeowners should expect during the design process.
The goal is clarity: understanding what your project will look like, how it will function, and what needs to be resolved before construction begins.
2D vs. 3D Designs: Which Does Your Project Need?
The right design format depends on your project’s complexity.
A 2D design shows your backyard from above. It helps you understand:
The overall layout
Measurements and dimensions
Placement of proposed features
How different areas connect
For a straightforward planting or landscaping project, a 2D design may provide the information you need without investing in a more detailed visualization.
A 3D design helps you understand the space from different perspectives. It becomes especially useful when your project includes:
Decks and raised patios
Roof structures
Retaining walls and steps
Swimming pools
Significant elevation changes
Height and elevation can be difficult to understand from a top-down drawing. A 3D view makes those relationships easier to see.
Even when the final deliverable is a 2D plan, a designer may model complicated elevations in 3D to work through wall heights, steps, and how the layout fits the property.
A Good Outdoor Living Design Should Reflect Your Actual Property
An attractive rendering is helpful only if it represents the space you are working with.
Your design should account for your home, existing surroundings, and relevant elevation changes. A perfectly flat backyard on a screen may not tell you much about how a project will fit a sloped property.
Depending on the level of design you purchase, look for details such as:
Your home’s relationship to the proposed space
Material colors and textures
Dimensions of patios, decks, and other features
Steps and transitions between elevations
Furniture placement
Not every design package includes the same level of detail. Ask what will be shown before you commit, so you understand what you are paying for.
Your Designer Should Understand What Can Be Built
Design software makes it possible to draw almost anything. Turning that drawing into a usable outdoor space requires construction knowledge.
A qualified designer should recognize when an idea needs adjustment and work with the contractor to explore practical alternatives. That might mean changing a deck configuration, moving a feature, or rethinking how different elevations connect.
A productive conversation includes:
What you want to accomplish
Why the original idea presents a challenge
What alternative could meet the same goal
How that alternative affects function and budget
You should leave the conversation understanding your options. Creative guidance is most useful when it connects your vision with a realistic plan.
Review How You Will Actually Use the Space
A design can look impressive and still be inconvenient to use.
Before approving the layout, picture a normal day in your backyard. Consider:
Is there enough room for your dining table and chairs?
Can people move comfortably between gathering areas?
Do the steps and elevation changes make sense?
Are seating areas located where you want to spend time?
Does the layout support entertaining, relaxing, or family activities?
Furniture placement is particularly helpful. When a design includes the actual furniture being considered, you can better understand how it fits within the proposed space.
The purpose of design review is to evaluate everyday use as well as appearance.
Sunlight and Shade Can Help Guide Decisions
Where you place a feature can influence when and how you enjoy it.
During the episode, Nick shares an example from a pool project in Golden. The homeowner was concerned that placing the pool beside the house would leave it shaded during the months she wanted to use it.
The team used the 3D design software to model sun angles for specific dates and times, helping her evaluate sunlight and shade across the proposed pool location.
For projects where sun exposure matters, ask whether that type of review is available. It can help you make a more informed decision about placement.
Small Details Deserve Questions
The overall layout usually gets the most attention, but smaller details can affect the finished project.
For example, an existing downspout may need to be addressed when a new patio is added. Material dimensions, surface textures, and transitions between features also deserve review.
If something is missing or looks different from what you expected, ask:
Is this detail included in the project?
Does the rendering show the material we discussed?
Is this placement final or still being evaluated?
What information will be clarified in later drawings?
A 3D concept communicates the proposed appearance of your space. Additional drawings follow to provide the information needed for construction.
Understanding that distinction helps you know what the design confirms and what still needs development.
Ask for Revisions Before Construction Begins
Your first design is an opportunity to give feedback.
If a feature feels misplaced or the layout does not match your priorities, explain what you would like to change. This is the stage to explore alternatives and refine the plan.
Changing a design on a screen is generally easier than changing the project after crews have started digging.
However, revisions may have limits. Before design work begins, ask:
How many revisions are included?
What counts as a revision?
When do additional fees apply?
How should you submit feedback?
Clear expectations help you make the most of the process and avoid confusion.
Move Forward With a Design You Understand
Before approving your outdoor living design, make sure you can explain how the space will look and how you will use it.
You should understand the layout, recognize the major material selections, and know which details will be addressed in the next stage.
At Rocky Mountain Outdoor Living, our goal is to help homeowners make informed decisions through practical guidance and clear communication. Explore the Beyond the Build series for more insight into planning your project, or contact our team to discuss your outdoor living ideas.
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