Key Takeaways:
This backyard started as a blank slate with an unusual shape, but the final design proves how much potential can be unlocked when the layout is built around real lifestyle.
— Let the lot shape drive the design. Instead of forcing a standard layout, the pool, spa, and Baja shelf were designed to follow the angles of the yard, turning an awkward footprint into one of the strongest features.
— Anchor the yard with a true family zone. The coastal oak, open turf lawn, and play space created a foundation that keeps the yard usable every day, not just when guests are over.
— Create outdoor rooms that feel intentional. The sunken fire lounge and California room give the backyard structure, making it feel like multiple living spaces instead of one big open patio.
— Make the pool a full experience. In-water daybeds, fire elements, and a massive Baja shelf transformed the pool into a resort-style centerpiece built for lounging, gathering, and hosting.
This is what it looks like to bring the resort into your own backyard.
This project was inspired by our client’s love for the Rosewood in Santa Barbara. That influence shaped everything from the architectural detailing to the warmth of the materials, and it ultimately became the foundation for a modern hacienda backyard that feels timeless and lived-in from the moment you step outside.
What makes the transformation even more impressive is what the yard started as.
This was a blank slate. A standard tract-lot backyard with an unusual shape, a challenging layout, and no existing structure to build around. But instead of forcing the space into a predictable plan, we allowed the property lines, view corridors, and natural flow of the yard to guide the design.
The result is a modern hacienda backyard design that feels cohesive, functional, and genuinely enjoyable to use. It’s a space designed for family life, for hosting, and for quiet evenings outdoors, all within a setting that feels elevated and intentional.
Keep scrolling for all the details.
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Maximizing The Existing Lot
One of the defining challenges of this project was the shape of the yard. It wasn’t the typical rectangular layout that makes planning straightforward. Instead, the property line angled and shifted, creating a footprint that required a more thoughtful approach.
That shape also offered something valuable: an impressive view line and a sense of openness that wouldn’t have existed in a standard layout.
From the beginning, the design strategy was to work with the yard’s geometry rather than fight it. That decision influenced how each space was positioned and how the entire backyard was experienced from multiple angles.
And as with most successful projects, we started with the most important zone first: the area designed for everyday family life.
The Family Zone: A Coastal Oak, an Open Lawn, and a Luxury Play Space
The first feature that truly anchors the backyard is the tree.
Before the transformation, this portion of the yard felt like a big empty void. Now, it’s centered around a coastal oak that immediately changes the character of the space.
It brings shade, maturity, and structure, and creates a natural focal point so that the yard feels established.
Beneath the oak is a seating area positioned to take advantage of the view and overlook the open lawn. It’s a simple concept, but an important one. This is the kind of space where you can sit comfortably and still feel connected to everything happening in the yard, especially with kids playing nearby.
The lawn itself is large and intentionally open. It creates flexibility and gives the backyard room to breathe. And the client’s family room to run around.
One of the smartest choices here was turf. In a family-focused backyard, turf is a great option. It’s a surface that stays usable without constant maintenance.
This is also where the play space was integrated. It’s a high-end play set built with PVC, designed to be comfortable underfoot and durable over time. It includes multiple slides and a small playhouse area. And, because it was planned as part of the overall layout, it feels like it belongs within the design rather than sitting on top of it.
A Sunken Fire Lounge That Feels Like Its Own Room
Just beyond the lawn is feature number two: a sunken seating area designed to feel like a true outdoor room.
This space is approximately 15 by 15, and the sunken layout immediately creates a sense of separation and intimacy. It feels inviting in a way that standard patio seating rarely does.
The finishes here were selected with durability and cleanliness in mind. The floor is a porcelain tile that mimics white oak, and that same porcelain finish carries through the caps and seating surfaces. It’s a cohesive material palette that holds up well outdoors while still feeling warm and elevated.
At the center is a double fire feature. This allows the space to function from multiple sides, which is especially important when the goal is to create a lounge area that supports both everyday use and entertaining.
One of the best aspects of this seating area is what it overlooks. From this spot, you can see the play lawn, the spa, the pool, and the daybeds. It becomes a natural gathering place because it offers comfort while still maintaining connection to the rest of the backyard.
Olive trees were placed nearby, adding softness and reinforcing the modern hacienda character. Hanging from the branches are low-voltage lantern lights, and at night, the entire space shifts. Between the lantern lighting, the glow of the fire, and the lighting beneath the seating itself, the atmosphere becomes one of the defining elements of the backyard.
The California Room: A True Extension of the Home
Feature number three is the California room, and it’s one of the most important spaces in the entire project.
This is where the backyard becomes an extension of the home. It was designed intentionally to support daily use, entertaining, and comfort, all while maintaining the same clean architectural language that runs through the rest of the property.
The space includes a built-in bar top, a mounted TV, floating shelves, and layered lighting that was designed down to the details. Even the shelf lighting was planned intentionally so that each section feels balanced and refined, especially at night.
The countertop is Deckton by Cosentino, selected for its ability to deliver a high-end finish with the performance needed for outdoor use. The cabinetry is custom-built and integrated into the architecture of the space, helping the entire wall feel permanent and tailored.
One of the strongest design choices here is the flooring. The porcelain tile mimics white oak and was aligned carefully to create a cohesive transition from the interior flooring to the exterior. That continuity matters, especially when large doors open directly into the outdoor living space.
Above, the tongue-and-groove ceiling adds warmth and dimension. Heaters, lighting, and speakers make the space comfortable and functional beyond the summer months.
A track system was also installed to allow the entire room to close off when needed. This adds flexibility depending on the season, the sunlight, or the presence of bugs, and it ultimately makes the space more usable throughout the year.
A Resort-Style Pool Built for More Than Swimming
Feature number four is the pool, and this is where the resort influence is unmistakable.
The pool was designed with multiple layers of detail, but the standout feature are the daybeds. These daybeds are built into the water, surrounded on three sides, creating a unique experience that feels more immersive than traditional pool lounging.
Between the daybeds is a fire feature, and the combination of water, fire, and lighting creates a dramatic effect, particularly at night.
The pool is also raised, which gives it architectural presence. It feels intentional in the landscape rather than simply placed into it.
Columns were added as a defining architectural element, tying directly back to the Santa Barbara inspiration and reinforcing the modern hacienda aesthetic.
A Baja Shelf That Runs the Length of the Pool
One of the most distinctive features of this pool is the Baja shelf.
In most pool designs, the Baja shelf is located at one end. Here, it runs nearly the entire length of the pool. At approximately 55 feet, it becomes both a functional lounging zone and a strong visual element that carries the eye across the entire yard.
This is also where the unusual shape of the property becomes part of the design language. The pool widens and narrows as it follows the back line of the yard, while remaining parallel to the house. The spa continues that same angle, reinforcing the geometry and making the layout feel cohesive rather than compromised.
Instead of forcing the yard into symmetry, the design allows the shape of the property to create movement and character.
A Swim-Up Bar and Outdoor Kitchen Designed for Hosting
The backyard continues into a second entertaining zone with a swim-up bar and outdoor kitchen.
The swim-up bar includes stools positioned directly in the pool, with a TV placed in view, creating a true resort-style experience. It’s designed for hosting, but it also works naturally as part of the pool environment.
Behind the bar is a full outdoor kitchen with extensive functionality, including drawers, refrigeration, and a dishwasher that was recently installed. The design is meant to support real entertaining without forcing the home to carry the load.
The sound system infrastructure is integrated into the space as well, including a full sound rack. A fan setup was built beneath the barbecue to support the hood system, which is reflected in the structure and depth of the hood above.
Overhead, the patio cover extends approximately 18 feet and is finished in stained mahogany. It includes heaters, speakers, and lighting, and even the lighting style was selected intentionally. Square lights were used instead of round, adding a cleaner architectural look.
Private Resort Living In Your Yard
Projects like this are a good reminder that a modern hacienda backyard isn’t defined by one feature. It’s created through layout, proportion, and the way each outdoor space connects to the next.
When a yard is designed with intention, it stops feeling like a collection of upgrades and starts feeling like a true extension of the home. Somewhere you actually want to be. Somewhere the family naturally gathers. Somewhere that works just as well for quiet evenings as it does for hosting.
If you’re ready to create a backyard that feels like a private resort, we’d love to help.
Book a free design consultation with Foxterra, and let’s bring your outdoor space to life.
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When people think of a luxury yard, they often think bigger, flashier, or more extravagant. At Foxterra, we see it differently.
True luxury comes from designing an outdoor space that feels intentional, personal, and completely removed from the outside world. In this video, we break down the core principles behind our approach to luxury outdoor design, including:
– How we create intrigue as you move through a space
– How immersion transforms a yard into a sanctuary
– And why the most meaningful luxury yards are deeply personal to the people who live in them
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a modern hacienda backyard style?
A: A modern hacienda backyard blends warm, old-world Mediterranean influence with clean modern lines. Think natural textures, timeless materials, and outdoor rooms that feel architectural, comfortable, and easy to use every day.
Q: What is a California room in outdoor design?
A: A California room is a covered outdoor living space designed to function like an extension of the home. It often includes features like built-ins, lighting, heaters, and entertainment zones so the space feels finished and usable beyond a single season.
Q: What is a Baja shelf pool feature?
A: A Baja shelf is a shallow lounging ledge inside the pool. It’s designed for relaxing in the water and can also help make a pool feel more resort-like. In this project, the Baja shelf runs nearly the entire length of the pool.
Q: How do you make a backyard feel like a private resort?
A: A backyard starts to feel like a private resort when it’s designed as a series of connected outdoor rooms. Layout, comfort features (like shade, fire, and lounge zones), and intentional lighting are what create that “destination” feeling at home.
Q: Why choose porcelain tile outdoors, especially a wood-look porcelain?
A: Porcelain tile is a strong outdoor finish because it’s durable and stays clean-looking over time. A wood-look porcelain gives you the warmth of an oak tone in a finish that’s well-suited for exterior conditions.
Q: Why use Deckton for an outdoor bar countertop?
A: An outdoor bar top needs a finish that can handle weather and regular use while still looking elevated. Deckton is often chosen for that reason, and it delivers a clean, high-end look for outdoor applications.
Q: What makes a sunken seating area feel more comfortable than a standard patio?
A: A sunken seating area naturally feels like a room because it creates separation and intimacy. When you pair that with a fire feature and durable finishes, it becomes a space people actually settle into, not just pass through.
Q: How do you design around a backyard that isn’t a perfect rectangle?
A: The best results come from designing with the property lines instead of fighting them. When the pool, spa, and seating areas respond to the yard’s geometry, the “awkward shape” can become one of the most distinctive design features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a modern hacienda backyard style?
A: A modern hacienda backyard blends warm, old-world Mediterranean influence with clean modern lines. Think natural textures, timeless materials, and outdoor rooms that feel architectural, comfortable, and easy to use every day.
Q: What is a California room in outdoor design?
A: A California room is a covered outdoor living space designed to function like an extension of the home. It often includes features like built-ins, lighting, heaters, and entertainment zones so the space feels finished and usable beyond a single season.
Q: What is a Baja shelf pool feature?
A: A Baja shelf is a shallow lounging ledge inside the pool. It’s designed for relaxing in the water and can also help make a pool feel more resort-like. In this project, the Baja shelf runs nearly the entire length of the pool.
Q: How do you make a backyard feel like a private resort?
A: A backyard starts to feel like a private resort when it’s designed as a series of connected outdoor rooms. Layout, comfort features (like shade, fire, and lounge zones), and intentional lighting are what create that “destination” feeling at home.
Q: Why choose porcelain tile outdoors, especially a wood-look porcelain?
A: Porcelain tile is a strong outdoor finish because it’s durable and stays clean-looking over time. A wood-look porcelain gives you the warmth of an oak tone in a finish that’s well-suited for exterior conditions.
Q: Why use Deckton for an outdoor bar countertop?
A: An outdoor bar top needs a finish that can handle weather and regular use while still looking elevated. Deckton is often chosen for that reason, and it delivers a clean, high-end look for outdoor applications.
Q: What makes a sunken seating area feel more comfortable than a standard patio?
A: A sunken seating area naturally feels like a room because it creates separation and intimacy. When you pair that with a fire feature and durable finishes, it becomes a space people actually settle into, not just pass through.
Q: How do you design around a backyard that isn’t a perfect rectangle?
A: The best results come from designing with the property lines instead of fighting them. When the pool, spa, and seating areas respond to the yard’s geometry, the “awkward shape” can become one of the most distinctive design features.
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.
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.
