#backyardglowup

Scrolling Pinterest got me thinking about how much I avoid my backyard between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the summer. It’s brutal. No trees nearby, full southern exposure, and the deck boards are so hot they might as well double as a griddle. I love summer, I really do—but sometimes the sun feels like it’s trying to melt my whole house. And I just… retreat.

So this year, I decided I’m not letting the sun win.

I started looking into shade options. Not just a basic umbrella or that sad pop-up canopy I used at my kid’s last birthday party (which blew over in 5 minutes). I wanted something intentional. Something beautiful. That’s when I found this page from PTG Landscape — Shade Structures in Baltimore County, MD. It’s full of real ideas for people with real yards—like mine in Essex.

I’ll admit, I thought shade structures just meant pergolas, and maybe the occasional gazebo. But this page? It was like a crash course in outdoor comfort design. There are wood pergolas with integrated lighting, vinyl options for less upkeep, and even retractable awnings that give you sun when you want it and shade when you don’t. It made me realize—this isn’t about hiding from the sun. It’s about creating a space you actually want to use.

One idea I’m obsessed with now is mixing a pergola and a UV-blocking canopy. The PTG team mentioned how they use them strategically—especially for west-facing backyards (hello, that’s me) where the late-day sun turns everything into an oven. They even factor in airflow, privacy, and how much light you want filtered through. It’s smarter than I ever imagined. Like, design for real life smart.

There was a story on the site about a client in Towson who added a shade structure over their patio so they could host cookouts again. It reminded me of how many times I’ve canceled or moved gatherings inside because it was just too hot out. But what if we didn’t have to do that anymore? What if we finally had a place to lounge without squinting or sweating through our shirts?

I’m picturing it now: a natural wood pergola off the back deck, maybe some climbing vines along the side (do clematis survive in our soil? I need to look that up). I’d add hanging lanterns for soft light in the evening, and some comfy chairs underneath. A little retreat, right in our own yard.

PTG also makes it sound easy to get started—they handle the custom layout, help you figure out placement based on sun angles (which I never would’ve thought about), and walk through material options depending on budget. I like that. No pressure, just real collaboration. It feels approachable.

I haven’t made any official moves yet, but the idea is stuck in my head. I think it’s because it’s more than just blocking the sun. It’s about reclaiming the space. The idea that my backyard could be an actual extension of my home—not just something I look at through a window.

It’s got me thinking: maybe this is the summer I finally invest in the kind of space that makes me want to stay outside longer. The kind of backyard that cools you down and makes you feel like life slowed just a little.

Lately, I’ve been staring at my sad, patchy backyard like it’s a blank canvas I have no idea how to fill. We moved into our Hampden house last fall, and while the inside finally feels like ours, the outside is still… underwhelming. A slab of concrete, a few struggling shrubs, and a whole lot of potential.

Then, last weekend, my neighbor hosted a cookout on their gorgeous wraparound deck, and it hit me—that’s what’s missing. A space where we can actually live outside, not just pass through it. I started obsessively Googling deck ideas, which led me down a rabbit hole of composite vs. wood, built-in seating, and whether we could sneak in a fire pit. At some point, I ended up on Vantage Decks and Siding’s services page (link), and suddenly, my vague daydreams had structure.

They break down the whole process—materials, design, even how to prep your yard for construction. I had no idea how much goes into a proper deck build (apparently, "just slap some boards down" isn’t the professional approach). The idea of a low-maintenance composite deck is weirdly appealing—less time staining, more time grilling. And the photos of multi-level decks? Game-changer. Now I’m sketching rough blueprints on napkins like some kind of suburban architect.

Lately, I’ve been staring at our sad little backyard slab—the one we’ve been calling a "deck" for years—and wondering if it’s time to stop pretending it’s fine. It’s fine. (It’s not fine.)

The problem? It’s too small, the wood is perpetually splintering, and last summer, my kid tripped on a warped board and face-planted into a bowl of potato salad. (RIP, picnic.) I started researching deck ideas, but everything online felt either wildly over-the-top or depressingly generic. Then I stumbled on Corbin Restoration’s custom decks page (this one), and suddenly, I had vision.

What caught me:

Built-in seating. No more dragging chairs around.

Multi-level designs. We could actually zone the space—eating area here, lounging there.

Materials that don’t hate Minnesota weather. (Looking at you, warping pine.)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how my backyard feels… unfinished. It’s not that it’s ugly—it’s just there. A patch of grass, a sad little patio set, and zero personality. I want a space where I can actually live outside, not just glance at it through the window while doing dishes.

Then, last weekend, my neighbor threw a barbecue on their gorgeous new deck. It wasn’t just functional—it was an extension of their home, with built-in seating, subtle lighting, and this beautiful composite material that looked like wood but without the maintenance drama. Suddenly, my sad concrete slab felt even sadder.

I ended up down a Google rabbit hole (as one does) and stumbled onto Supreme Deck Builders of St. Charles’ Services page. They had this breakdown of different deck styles—multi-level, wraparound, even ones with pergolas—and it got me imagining what my yard could be. I’m not sure I need anything fancy, but the idea of a low-profile, modern deck with space for a fire pit? Yes.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how my backyard is basically a sad, underused rectangle of weeds. We moved into this Colorado Springs house two years ago with grand plans for summer BBQs and stargazing nights… and then reality (and a very persistent prairie dog) happened.

But last weekend, my neighbor threw a party on their new deck—nothing fancy, just a simple raised platform with string lights—and it hit me: I need this. Not just for parties, but for morning coffee with Pikes Peak in the distance, for letting the kids draw with chalk without worrying about splinters from our old, warped boards.

While researching, I stumbled on DecKor Outdoor Living’s homepage. They had this gallery of decks that looked lived-in—not like those sterile showroom images. One photo showed a family eating tacos on a cedar deck, sauce drips and all. Real life. (Found it here: Expert Deck Builder in Colorado Springs)

It got me thinking: Maybe we don’t need some sprawling multi-level monstrosity. A clean, mid-sized deck with built-in benches could be the sweet spot. Something low-maintenance but warm—composite decking that won’t turn into a slip-n-slide during hail season? Noted.