The Outback Blog

Imagine the glow of a fire warming your face as you chat with friends on a crisp fall evening. Or, what about enjoying the taste of roasted marshmallows as you tell stories around the flames?

The ways you can enjoy your backyard fire pit are pretty endless — if you have the right design, fire pit size, location and construction from the start, that is.

So before you start imagining all of the ways your fire pit will enhance your outdoor space, here are some important things you better think about first.

This guide covers everything you need to know about planning your perfect backyard fire pit, from safety tips to choosing the best material, and how to find the right team for installation.

Remember when your patio looked so pretty? Smooth, clean and weed-free?

What the heck happened?

Now it's a jungle out there, with weeds and grass sprouting between the pavers like a primeval forest.

How to keep weeds from growing between pavers? How to get rid of grass between paving stones?

Is there a way to prevent them from sprouting in the first place?

We have your weed-free patio answers, step by step.

Thinking about adding a pergola to your backyard, but not sure which material to choose? You’re not alone. Whether you’re after rustic charm, modern clean lines, or something in between, the right pergola material can make or break your outdoor space — and your budget.

Pergolas have been turning heads for over 3,000 years (yes, really — ancient Egyptians were rocking pergolas before it was cool). These days, homeowners typically choose between three main materials: vinyl, fiberglass, or wood.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make about your landscape is which hardscape material to choose for your patio and outdoor areas.

Unlike plantings and furniture, patio materials aren’t easy to change once installed — so it’s a big commitment. Many of our clients ask, “What is the best patio material for my Idaho Falls home?”

The answer? It depends on your style, budget, and how you’ll use the space. Let’s compare pavers vs. natural stone vs. concrete patios so you can decide what fits best with your landscape vision.

At Outback, we get a lot of calls from potential clients asking us about planning a design/build project. Their biggest question is: How long does it take to create a design plan?

We tell them that the actual design/build process doesn’t take as long as they think — even though it can depend on varying factors, such as the project size, grade changes, time of year, etc.