The Backyard Guide

Where the grill goes: clearance, wind and workflow in a small yard
The most common outdoor kitchen mistake is not the equipment. It is putting it somewhere that makes the rest of the yard unusable while you cook. Read more...
What actually survives outside: rugs, cushions and covers
Almost everything sold for outdoors will survive one summer. The question worth asking is which things are still worth looking at in year three. Read more...
Lighting a small backyard so it still works after dark
Most city yards get used in the evening, and most of them are lit by one floodlight bolted to the house. Here is how to fix that in three layers. Read more...
Barrel, cabin or infrared: choosing a backyard sauna
Three very different products get sold under one word. Here is what actually separates them. Read more...
Do you need a permit for a pergola or a sauna?
Nobody can give you a universal answer, but there is a reliable way to find yours in about ten minutes. Read more...
How to size a pergola for a small city backyard
The single most common reason a pergola gets returned is that it did not fit. Here is how to get the measurement right before you order. Read more...