Silver Lake - Virtual Backyard Design

This family was ready to transform their exterior space to better suit their lifestyle. They had several goals in mind:

• A new garage that would serve as a man cave and storage for motorcycles and tools while mimicking the design of their existing home for a cohesive look

• A revamped backyard with functional outdoor living space

• A three-season sunroom and deck with a built-in grill

• A pet-friendly design that worked well for their dogs

• A seamless entryway for clients visiting the wife’s home hair salon

To bring their vision to life, I developed three distinct design concepts, each offering a unique approach to their needs. Through virtual backyard design, we explored different layouts, styles, and materials to ensure they could confidently move forward with the best option.

Concept 1: A Detached Two-Car Garage with a Cohesive Look

The garage in this concept featured a sloping roof on the front line, supported by two columns.

For the new sunroom, this concept incorporated full-length black frame windows, adding a sleek, modern touch. A black pergola extended over the entire length of the patio, creating a cohesive and shaded outdoor area. The outdoor living space included:

• A stone fireplace that matched the existing brick of their home

• A dining table centered on the fireplace

• Two conversation areas flanking the dining space

Concept 2: A More Compact Garage with White Accents

The garage in this concept was a one-and-a-half-car structure, pulled closer to the street, creating a small walkway between the house and garage. This layout allowed for a deeper structure, which in turn provided more green space behind the garage for their dogs to roam. The garage featured a wood-tone garage door and man door, with a trellis-style structure above them to add character.

The sunroom featured white-framed windows and white railings, creating a bright and airy aesthetic. A white pergola stretched the full length of the patio, again creating a cohesive, shaded outdoor area. To complement this, I included:

• A seating area in front of the fireplace

• A larger dining area adjacent to the fireplace

• A different fireplace and stone paver combination, offering them a variety of style options to consider

Concept 3: A Connected Garage and a Balance of Open and Covered Spaces

In the third design, I connected the garage to the existing structure, adding a covered corridor to provide protection for clients entering the salon. This structure featured:

• A gabled roof on the sunroom (as opposed to the flat roof in the other concepts)

• A sloped overhang along the back of the home, providing weather protection for salon clients

• A more traditional-style pergola, covering just the dining area instead of the whole patio

• A fire pit with Adirondack chairs in an uncovered section of the patio

This option was the most traditional, offering a connected, streamlined structure while maintaining flexibility in outdoor areas.

The Power of Virtual Backyard Design

Each of these 3D design concepts allowed the homeowners to truly visualize their options before making any final decisions. They could see how different materials, layouts, and landscaping choices would impact their home’s exterior.

Beyond just visualizing the space, this process also provided tangible plans they could take to contractors for bids and construction. Having these detailed renderings meant they could compare quotes more accurately, eliminate guesswork, and move forward with confidence knowing they had chosen the best layout for their needs.

By incorporating elements tailored to their lifestyle, pets, and business needs, we ensured that every aspect of the design was both functional and beautiful.

Planning an Exterior Makeover?

If you're considering an outdoor transformation, virtual backyard design can help you make informed decisions before construction even begins. Let’s work together to bring your vision to life!