Top Green's Outdoor Remodeling Process: The Trinity

Chris Aleman
4 days ago
4 min read

An AI generated image of a cobblestone path that curves through a garden, bordered by lush green grass and soft lantern glow. A pergola and chairs are in the background. These elements together display the 3 elements that are included in this blog post.

What if the best room in your house hasn’t been built yet?

If you find yourself consistently avoiding your outdoor spaces—because the layout is awkward, the design feels distant, or you’re staring at nothing but dirt and weeds— you're not getting the most out of your property. We believe your backyard should be an area that makes you feel peaceful, intimate, and energized! Whether you have a clear vision or need to start from scratch, it might be time to consider an outdoor remodel to reinvent those areas to align with your personal vision.

It can be intimidating to think about where to start, and searching online can become overwhelming fast! With so many different ideas and opinions, it can be easy to give up.

Let me share with you how we guide our customers through the outdoor remodel process.

Intention vs. Aesthetics: The First Step of the Outdoor Remodeling Process

An AI generated image of a landscaping plan sketch with a pencil on the left, green garden design on the right. Text: Intention (left), Aesthetics (right). This image is used to represent the extremes when choosing designing with intention in mind and aesthetics. The left side is detailed and every element has an intention. The right side is displaying how something can look aesthetically pleasing but chaotic at the same time.

The first thing we focus on is intention. What is the intended use of the space? How do you see yourself using it?

We start every consultation with a conversation to discover what the space has to do or provide for you—the homeowner.

Our customers often tell us that other companies focus purely on aesthetics: How will the space look? What will others think when they see it? While an attractive design is non-negotiable, our primary focus is intention. We believe that design driven by your life—what the space has to do for you, not just how it looks—is the only way to create a backyard that is truly personal, intimate, and sustainable for the long run.

Why the Trinity?

After nailing down the intention, the next step is execution. For years, we struggled to maintain a consistent process. Every project seemed to follow a different path, leading to chaotic design flow, overwhelming our customers, and extending project timelines. The solution came, strangely enough, not on a job site, but in my kitchen.

I was watching an episode of Good Eats, and Alton Brown was explaining the concept of Mirepoix—the simple French foundation of onion, carrots, and celery that creates flavor depth in countless recipes. That was my 'Aha!' moment. If great cooking needs an essential, foundational trinity, what is the outdoor remodeling equivalent?

I realized our most successful projects were always based on the same three essential ingredients working together. We weren't just installing features; we were combining our own Mirepoix to create a streamlined outdoor remodel process: Hardscaping, Softscaping, and Lighting. You would never make jambalaya with just bell pepper, and you can’t create an unforgettable backyard with just one element. These three are not separate services; they are foundational ingredients that must be designed simultaneously to achieve the rich, cohesive, and lasting atmosphere that your outdoor living space deserves.

The Foundation: Hardscaping

An AI generated image displaying a gray paving slabs with scattered dark smooth pebbles in the gaps. The surface shows subtle texture, conveying a calm, minimalistic mood. These are just a few of the elements that can be used in the hardscaping category.

Hardscaping is the bones of your outdoor spaces. Hardscapes include elements that are permanent, are non-living, and provide stability, definition, and flow. Hardscaping that isn't designed well can create a space that feels disconnected.

What does hardscaping include?

Patios and Walkways: Pavers, concrete, or natural stone that create defined gathering areas and guide foot traffic.
Retaining Walls: Essential for managing slopes, creating level tiers, and adding elevated garden beds.
Rock: Essential for many landscapes. This element can also be a creative feature, perfect for installing dry river beds and rock gardens.
Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits: These high-value features transform your backyard into an entertainment hub.

A great hardscaping plan focuses on functionality and durability. When we design for you, we select materials that not only look beautiful but are guaranteed to stand up to our local climate while reflecting your home’s architectural style.

The Soul: Softscaping

An AI generated image of a bright pink peony that blooms amid lush green leaves and grass in a garden setting. The environment feels fresh and vibrant. This image is used to display how using plants intentionally can create a beautiful landscape with order

If hardscaping is the skeleton, softscaping is the skin and life of your design. This is where the color, texture, and natural energy come from. Softscaping involves everything that grows—plants, trees, shrubs, and turf.

While it may seem the most straightforward, great softscaping is all about expert knowledge. It requires understanding:

Regional Climate and Soil: We choose plants that will truly thrive here, not just struggle to survive.
Sun and Shade Patterns: Ensuring the right plant is placed in the right spot for optimal health and growth.
Seasonal Interest: We design gardens that look vibrant in spring, full in summer, and still offer structure and beauty in winter.

The key to an excellent outdoor remodel is to perfectly balance the hard, permanent features with the soft, ever-changing plant material.

The Atmosphere: Outdoor Lighting

An AI generated image of a stone wall lit by a warm, downward light in a dark setting. There are bushes partially visible on the right, creating a serene, moody ambiance. This image is used to display how even in the evening any outdoor space can be enjoyed. It can create a welcoming environment.

The most overlooked element of an outdoor remodel is often the one that provides the biggest return: outdoor lighting. A stunning backyard that goes dark at sunset is a space that’s only 50% utilized. Why invest in a beautiful space if you can only enjoy it fully during the day? Thoughtful lighting design effectively doubles your usable living space.

Lighting serves three crucial purposes for your family:

Security and Safety: Illuminating pathways, steps, and dark corners to reduce trip hazards.
Functionality: Allowing you to use your patio, kitchen, or fire pit well into the evening hours.
Atmosphere: Highlighting key features like a beautiful wall texture or a specimen tree, adding depth and drama to the landscape.

We use layered lighting to intentionally highlight these focal points, ensuring the flow and energy of your landscape continues well past sunset..

Bringing the Pillars Together

An AI generated image of a pavers path illuminated by warm lights at night, bordered by lush plants and purple flowers. There are trees and a dark sky it makes the mood peaceful.

This image is displaying all the elements at play. It shows the hardscaping elements creating structure in the outdoor space. The softscape elements soften the path with natural beauty and energy. The landscape lighting creates a welcoming ambience that really comes to life in the evening.

A truly great outdoor remodel isn't about tackling these three pillars separately; it’s about a unified design approach. Our goal is to create a seamless transition from the inside of your home to the outside, where the stone of your patio, the colors of your plants, and the glow of your lighting all work together to form a cohesive, beautiful environment—your personal outdoor haven. A successful project is one where your outdoor spaces are a true extension of your home.

Ready to transform your backyard with intention? Don't settle for a space that just looks good; invest in a space that genuinely serves your life.

Click here to fill out our consultation request form and let's start designing your personal outdoor haven today!