A backyard doesn’t need to be fussy—all you need is a bit of shade, somewhere comfortable to sit, and some grass. In fact, less is often more—too many bright colors or themed pieces can make even a large yard feel cluttered and chaotic.
However, knowing what crosses the line into tacky isn’t always obvious. To help you better navigate this décor conundrum, we spoke to landscaping and design experts about the outdoor elements that can often backfire—and how to add personality to this space without going overboard.
Astro Turf
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Artificial grass is always green, low maintenance, and neat. But there’s a tradeoff: “Astro turf often looks flat and a little unnatural,” says landscape designer Adam Robinson. “It doesn’t have the texture, variation, or life of real grass.”
Despite its fuss-free reputation, artificial turf still requires a bit of maintenance too—namely clearing leaves, brushing fibers, and dealing with seams.
A natural lawn, on the other hand, brings more than just aesthetics. “It helps with drainage, supports insects, and contributes to a healthy soil ecosystem,” he says. It’s actively doing work in your garden, not just sitting there.
There’s also the simple joy of walking barefoot across cool, living grass, which is something that artificial turf can’t replicate. Turf absorbs heat and can get uncomfortably hot, especially during the summer.
Oversized Barbecues
A barbecue is often the centerpiece of outdoor entertaining—but bigger isn’t always better.
“Huge freestanding barbecues have a way of making a backyard feel unbalanced,” says Robinson. “It interrupts the flow of your outdoor area and draws attention away from plants, seating, or other features.”
Instead, integrate a smaller grill into a built-in outdoor kitchen or counter. “When the barbecue sits within a prep space with storage and a dedicated cooking area, it becomes functional, and, as a bonus, looks good,” he says.
Busy Pool Areas
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If you have small decorations or gimmicky water features around your pool, then you might want to consider scaling back.
“[They] can be a fun way to add personality,” says Bram Schad, director of pool construction at America’s Swimming Pool Co. “But a lot of our clients are going for a more streamlined, resort-style look.”
Keep pool features simple and purposeful. “Consider natural stone waterfalls or a sleek, sheer descent that sends a thin sheet of water into the pool,” he says. “They add movement and sound without clutter.”
Infinity pools are another great way to elevate a backyard. “They used to be for high-end builds only, but they’re now more common in residential projects,” he says.
Harsh or Basic Lighting
Lighting can make or break the mood of a backyard. Many older outdoor spaces rely on bright floodlights or standard white pool lights, which are practical, but often harsh.
“We’re seeing more homeowners request color-changing LED pool lights and landscape lighting around plants or stone features,” says Schad. “Those effects help a backyard feel more like an outdoor lounge.”
Try adding a mix of subtle lighting sources to introduce depth, highlight materials, and soften the atmosphere.
Fiberglass Spas
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Spas and plunge pools are a wonderful place to relax, unwind, and cool off. However, they don’t always have the same impact aesthetically.
“I often see fiberglass spas as standalone units in a backyard, which can look awkward,” says Robinson. Because they’re self-contained, they can segment the backyard.
Plunge pools, on the other hand, can be designed to fit with the surroundings. “With carefully chosen materials, landscaping, and edge detailing, a plunge pool can feel like a natural extension of the outdoor space,” he says.
In the end, whatever you add to your backyard should fit in with the rest of the landscaping.
Colored Pebbles and Artificial Finishes
A backyard can start to look tacky when surfaces and finishes look overly synthetic or flat. Plastic tiles, bright surfaces, and colorful pebbles are just a few that experts warn against.
Instead, choose pebble or quartz finishes for pools, natural stone for decking, and textured tiles for hardscaping. These materials complement planting, lighting, and water features, and are timeless.