From Bare Backyard to a Fully Realized Outdoor Living Space
This Riverton property had the bones of a great backyard — a generous lot with mountain views — but lacked any real outdoor living infrastructure. The owners wanted a space they could actually use: a place to gather around a fire, listen to water, and enjoy the Wasatch Front backdrop year-round.
Black Diamond Landscape & Outdoor Living designed and built a cohesive outdoor environment from the ground up. The project centered on a custom Belgard paver patio with a built-in fire pit, a natural boulder water feature with a recirculating waterfall, flagstone pathway connections, decorative rock planting beds, and a complete low-voltage lighting system to extend the space into the evening hours.
Belgard Paver Patio with Built-In Fire Pit
The patio is the anchor of the design — a generous Belgard paver field sized for outdoor furniture, a dining area, and a dedicated fire pit zone. The built-in fire pit is constructed with natural gas, eliminating the need for wood storage or cleanup while delivering consistent, controllable flame.
Belgard pavers were selected for their durability in Utah's freeze-thaw climate and their clean, contemporary profile. The patio layout was designed to frame views toward the water feature and the Wasatch Mountains beyond.
Hardscapes & Paving
Natural Boulder Water Feature with Recirculating Waterfall
The water feature is the focal point of the backyard — a natural boulder pond with a recirculating waterfall that creates constant ambient sound and visual movement. Large-format boulders were placed to mimic the natural rock formations found throughout the Wasatch foothills.
The pond is fully recirculating with a submersible pump system, requiring minimal maintenance. Integrated low-voltage lighting illuminates the waterfall at night, creating a dramatic effect that transforms the backyard after dark.
Outdoor Living
Natural Flagstone Pathways and Concrete Transitions
Flagstone pathways connect the patio to the water feature and to the side yard access points, creating a cohesive circulation system throughout the backyard. The irregular flagstone pattern complements the natural boulder aesthetic of the water feature.
Concrete transition elements were used at key grade changes and entry points, providing clean, durable surfaces where flagstone alone would be impractical. The combination of materials creates visual interest while maintaining functional flow.
Decorative Rock Planting Beds and Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting
Decorative rock planting beds frame the patio and water feature, providing a low-maintenance border that complements the hardscape materials. Plant selections were chosen for Utah's climate — drought-tolerant species that provide seasonal color and texture without demanding irrigation.
The low-voltage lighting system was designed to highlight the project's key features: path lights along the flagstone walkways, uplighting on the boulder water feature, and accent lighting around the patio perimeter. The result is a backyard that is as functional at 9 PM as it is at 9 AM.
Landscape Lighting
A Backyard Built for the Wasatch Front Lifestyle
The completed Riverton project delivers everything the owners asked for — a fire pit for cool Utah evenings, a water feature that brings the sound of nature into the backyard, and a paver patio that handles a full season of outdoor entertaining.
Every element was designed to work together: the Belgard pavers echo the color of the natural boulders, the flagstone pathways connect every zone, and the lighting system ties it all together after dark. This is what a complete outdoor living transformation looks like.
What We Built
Custom layout with built-in fire feature
Boulder pond with cascading waterfall
Irregular flagstone connecting all zones
Grade changes and entry point surfaces
Low-maintenance borders with drought-tolerant plants
Path lights, uplighting, and accent fixtures
Planting and water-wise design
The planting beds throughout this project use drought-tolerant species selected for Utah's alkaline soil and dry summers — including native shrubs, ornamental grasses, and low-water perennials. The irrigation system is zoned to match plant water requirements, with drip irrigation in planting beds and a smart controller for seasonal adjustment.
Ready to Transform Your Backyard?
Black Diamond Landscape & Outdoor Living serves Riverton and all of Salt Lake County. Let's talk about your project.