Draper Outdoor Living Retreat

Project Overview

A Complete Backyard Transformation in Draper

Black Diamond Landscape & Outdoor Living completed a full backyard renovation on a hillside property in Draper, Utah. The project began with a blank slate — a sloped, unimproved backyard — and ended with a fully integrated outdoor living environment designed for year-round use.

The scope included terraced Belgard retaining walls with integrated steps, water-wise landscaping with decorative rock, a flagstone and natural-stone hardscape, a custom rectangular fire feature, a waterfall and water feature, professional landscape lighting, a Trex deck with wrap-around steps, a rough-sawn cedar pergola, and a hot tub.

Every element was designed to work with the site's natural grade and to create a cohesive outdoor retreat that extends the home's living space into the backyard.

The completed backyard integrates a custom fire feature, waterfall, Belgard retaining walls, and professional landscape lighting.

Before

Starting Point: An Unimproved Hillside Backyard

The backyard was an unimproved slope — no usable outdoor space, no hardscape, and no structure. The grade change across the property required significant earthwork and engineered retaining solutions before any outdoor living features could be installed.

The before photography documents the raw site condition: exposed slope, minimal vegetation, and no defined outdoor areas.

Belgard retaining wall block installation in progress — each course is set and compacted before the next level begins.

Retaining Walls

Terraced Belgard Retaining Wall System

The retaining wall system is the structural backbone of the project. Multiple terraced levels were created using a Belgard retaining wall system, with integrated steps connecting each level to create a continuous, accessible circulation path through the backyard.

The walls manage the grade change across the site, creating level planting areas and usable outdoor spaces while providing a clean, architectural backdrop for the landscaping and hardscape above.

Water-wise planting and decorative rock are integrated throughout the terraced retaining wall levels.

Water-Wise Landscape

Water-Wise Planting and Decorative Rock

The planting design follows water-wise principles suited to Utah's semi-arid climate. Decorative rock mulch, drought-tolerant specimen plants, and low-water planting beds are integrated throughout the terraced levels, reducing irrigation demand while maintaining a polished, maintained appearance.

The water-wise approach complements the Belgard retaining wall system and provides a low-maintenance landscape that performs well through Utah's dry summers.

Hardscape

Flagstone and Natural-Stone Hardscape

Flagstone and natural stone are used throughout the patio and circulation areas, providing a durable, natural-looking surface that integrates with the retaining wall system and the surrounding landscape.

The concrete patio provides a level, low-maintenance surface for the fire feature and outdoor seating area, while the flagstone detailing adds texture and visual interest to the overall hardscape design.

The custom fire feature and waterfall are positioned to be visible from the pergola and deck areas.

Fire and water elements within the same outdoor living space create a dynamic, resort-style environment.

Landscape lighting extends the usability of the fire and water feature well into the evening hours.

Landscape Lighting

Professional Landscape Lighting

Low-voltage landscape lighting is integrated throughout the property — step lights on the retaining wall stairs, uplights on specimen plants and the pergola structure, accent fixtures on the fire and water features, and path lights through the planting areas. The lighting system allows the full outdoor living space to function comfortably after dark.

Deck, Pergola & Hot Tub

Trex Deck, Rough-Sawn Cedar Pergola, and Hot Tub

A Trex composite deck with wrap-around steps connects the home to the outdoor living areas below. The low-maintenance deck surface provides a durable, weather-resistant platform that transitions seamlessly from the interior to the backyard.

A rough-sawn cedar pergola provides shade and structure over the deck and hot tub area. The natural cedar character complements the stone and concrete materials used throughout the project, and the pergola's open structure allows filtered light and mountain views while defining the outdoor room.

The hot tub is integrated into the deck design, positioned under the pergola for year-round use with views of the surrounding landscape.

The Trex composite deck and rough-sawn cedar pergola provide a covered outdoor living area adjacent to the hot tub.