Key Takeaways:
This backyard works because everything is built around how people actually use it, not just how it looks.
— Start with one defining feature. Build the entire layout around something that gives the space direction.
— Design for multiple uses. The more ways people can use the space, the longer they stay in it.
— Break the yard into zones. Separate areas create options and keep the space from feeling flat.
— Think beyond standard details. Materials, edges, and transitions are what change how the space actually feels.
This yard was designed to be the go-to Airbnb in Indio.
Not just because of how it looks, but also because of how much there is to do.
It’s completely packed with features a lazy river, two islands, a jumping rock, hidden spa, slides, volleyball, pickleball, putting green, game room, theater, and more.
There’s something for everyone to do and such a variety of ways to use the space that you never want to leave.
And that’s the point.
It’s designed to be the destination – not just as somewhere you stay.
You don’t need a property like this to get there.
But if you want a yard you actually use, that works for different people, different activities, and all day use, there’s a lot to take from how this outdoor space was designed.
Here are all the details and the features worth pulling into your own space.
The Lazy River
The entire yard is built around this lazy river.
It’s the longest private lazy river in Indio, powered by four pumps and wrapping the full space. That wasn’t something added at the end. The layout, the islands, and the way you move through the yard all came from this decision.
That’s what gives the yard a clear direction. You walk outside and immediately understand how the space is meant to be used.
Most residential yards don’t start this way. They get built piece by piece. A pool goes in, then seating, then maybe a fire feature, but nothing is really working together.
How to apply this in your yard →
Start with one feature that defines the space and build everything else around it.
That could be the pool layout, a water feature, or a central gathering area. The goal is to give the yard direction early so the rest of the design doesn’t feel pieced together.
Designing a Backyard with Multiple Uses
This yard isn’t trying to feel minimal.
Slides, jumping rock, volleyball, pickleball, putting green, bocce, and multiple hangout areas are all built in. You can have people in the water, people playing games, and people sitting off to the side, all at the same time.
That’s what makes the space feel like a resort. You don’t run out of things to do.
Most yards are designed for one use at a time. Swim, sit, maybe eat, and then you’re done.
How to apply this in your yard →
Add more than one way to use the space so it doesn’t rely on a single activity.
That can be as simple as a second seating area, a small game zone, or one interactive feature that gives people another reason to stay outside.
The Stone Grotto Sets The Tone
The stone grotto is the first thing you see when you walk out back.
It’s a full rock wall with water running through it, and it doubles as a jumping rock. There’s also a spa built into it, tucked behind the water so it feels separate from the rest of the pool. It makes an impact visually, but is also feature-packed for fun.
How to apply this in your yard →
Make the first view into your yard count.
One strong feature near the entry will carry more weight than spreading smaller details across the space. It should be something you interact with, not just something you look at.
Dueling Islands Create Two Distinct, Cozy Zones
Two islands sit inside the lazy river, and they change how the yard functions.
One is set up for gathering with fire features and seating. The other is quieter, with hanging chairs and a more relaxed setup. They’re connected, but they don’t feel the same.
Without them, this would just feel like a large pool.
How to apply this in your yard →
Break the yard into separate areas so it doesn’t feel like one open space.
Give each area a different purpose so people have options. That separation can come from layout, materials, or how seating is arranged.
Designing A Custom, Feature-Filled Pool
This isn’t just a standard pool. It’s custom designed with a variety of built-in features, and ways to enjoy the water.
There’s a beach entry, a Baja shelf that’s large enough to actually use, built-in seating, and a spa that’s set apart instead of attached to the edge.
It’s multi-use for everyone, and makes this entire yard feel dynamic.
How to apply this in your yard →
Design the pool with more than one way to use it.
Add a shallow area that people will actually sit in, incorporate seating, or separate the spa so it feels like its own space.
Design Details That Create That Resort Feeling
A lot of what makes this yard feel like a destination instead of just like a nice backyard, comes down to design decisions that might not seem important. But, it’s the details that can completely transform a space and elevate the yard.
In this space, the turf runs straight to the water, where you’d normally see a standard coping edge. We created rockwork and stones instead of tiles. And we focused on creating an exterior with layers, and levels. There’s a sense of discovery as you move throughout and that’s why it feels immersive.
How to apply this in your yard →
Pay attention to edges, materials, and transitions instead of defaulting to standard details.
Even small changes in how materials meet or how surfaces shift can change how the entire space feels.
Turn Your Yard Into A Destination
If you’re planning to update your yard, start by thinking about how you want to use it.
Spaces like this work because there’s more than one way to spend time outside, and everything is built around that from the start.
We’ll help you take ideas like this and shape them into something that fits your space and how you actually live.
Click below to book a free design consultation and start building a yard you’ll actually use.
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It’s impossible to be bored when you stay at this Airbnb. See everything we added to this epic backyard including:
– Two islands – each hiding hidden features
– Dual waterslides and a ton of areas for sports
– The longest backyard lazy river in Indio, CA
– The finishes & details that make all the difference in this outdoor space
– And more…
Click this link to book your stay at this Air BnB in Indio, CA: https://staywandery.com/LazyRiver/ Don’t forget to use code FOXTERRA for 10% off your stay! (excluding holidays)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes a backyard feel like a destination?
A: People stay outside longer when there’s more than one way to use the space. You can get in the water, step out and sit, switch to a game, then come back again. That’s what keeps it from getting old.
Q: How do you design a backyard that gets used more often?
A: Pick one feature and build the yard around it. Then add a few other ways to use the space so it works for different people and different parts of the day.
Q: Is a lazy river practical for residential backyard design?
A: Most homes don’t need a lazy river. What matters is using one idea to shape the whole yard so everything connects and makes sense.
Q: What are the most important elements in luxury backyard design?
A: Pay attention to how people move through the space and where they spend time. If that works, everything else falls into place.
Q: How do you make a pool more functional?
A: Give people different ways to use it. A shallow area to sit, a place to gather, and a separate spa so it doesn’t all feel the same.
Behind The Blog
Justin Fox
Founder & Creative Director
Founder Justin Fox grew up with a passion for landscaping. After 15+ years building luxury yards and pools as a licensed contractor, he saw the limits of the design/build model. Homes get detailed, architect-led plans, so why shouldn’t yards? In 2019 he convinced brother Nate Fox to join him and launched Foxterra Design to focus on immersive, luxury outdoor spaces.
Foxterra designs immersive outdoor environments that blend architecture, landscape, and lifestyle into one cohesive vision. Our work is rooted in timeless materials, intentional layout, and outdoor living that feels effortless to use every day.
For this story, the Foxterra team breaks down how layout decisions and layered use shape a backyard people actually spend time in.
Nate Fox
Designer
Nate Fox helps shape Foxterra’s creative vision, blending architectural detail with a designer’s eye for proportion and flow. His work redefines the backyard as an extension of modern luxury living.
In recent features, Nate’s perspective has been quoted across leading design publications, including Homes & Gardens and Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living, where he shares practical, design-forward guidance on everything from integrating sculptural moments and sightlines to creating “living wall” effects that soften hard architecture and make compact spaces feel more expansive.
For this story, the Foxterra team shows how building in more than one way to use the space makes it feel like a destination.
