#smallspacebigimpact

This weekend I stood barefoot in the grass, coffee in hand, just staring at the edge of our yard — where the grass meets the back of the house. It's that weird space that never really became anything. Not quite a patio. Not quite usable. Just… there.

For years, I’ve told myself we’d get around to it. That I’d make time. That we’d have people over “once we fix it up.” You know the story. Life moves fast, and projects get pushed.

But lately, something’s shifted. I don’t know if it’s the way summer mornings feel softer this year or if I’m just finally ready to give our backyard the love it deserves. Either way, I’ve been diving into backyard design ideas. And somewhere in the middle of scrolling, I landed on this page from Corbin Restoration about their deck work in Dakota County: https://www.corbinrestoration.com/service-areas/dakota-county

It spoke to me.

They had this line about every homeowner deserving a space to relax outdoors — and I actually paused. Because isn’t that the whole point? Not a showroom deck. Not a giant party space we’d never use. Just a place to be — with a chair, a book, a breeze. A space that makes sense for us.

I liked how they described their process. Helping with everything from permitting to planning to the little final touches. That’s always what gets me — not knowing where to start. I can visualize the end result, but the steps in between? That’s the part that freezes me.

Reading through the Dakota County page, though, made it feel… approachable. I didn’t feel like I was being sold to. It felt more like someone had sat down, heard what I needed, and said, “Let’s figure this out.”

One project example they mentioned — working around small or oddly shaped yards — hit home. Ours isn’t huge, and it’s got this funky angle thanks to the garage bump-out. I’ve always assumed it would limit us, but now I’m not so sure. The way they handle tight layouts and odd terrain? It gave me hope that we’re not boxed in. That maybe our backyard can breathe again.

And then there’s the material side of things. I’ve been hesitant about composite decking because I didn’t want it to feel “fake.” But Corbin’s take on it — focusing on low-maintenance longevity without sacrificing look or quality — has me rethinking things. Especially after that time I tried to stain our old deck boards and ended up with a foot-shaped blotch that’s still haunting me.

What I’ve been sketching in my head now is something small but deliberate. A low-profile platform deck that wraps slightly around the corner of the house, with clean lines and a built-in bench or two. Maybe one of those privacy screen panels on the side that faces the neighbors. Somewhere to sit and be still.

It’s funny — for the longest time I thought we needed something big. Big entertaining space, big barbecue zone, big everything. But what I want most now is calm. Somewhere to sit after dinner with bare feet and no distractions.

And this Dakota County guide from Corbin Restoration reminded me that even modest spaces can hold beauty — and that the real magic happens when design meets intention.

I haven’t booked anything yet. I’m still very much in the “scribbling ideas on scratch paper” phase. But for the first time, it feels like more than just a Pinterest board. It feels like a step forward.

Who knew standing in the grass could lead to something so grounded?

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