I’m an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I’d never have in my own backyard.

Stamped concrete, which can mimic the look of brick or stone, is usually a budget-friendly option. However, I don’t recommend it over traditional pavers.

Stamped concrete often gets slippery when wet, is difficult to repair, and can crack over time. 

On the other hand, I find most pavers’ natural imperfections visually beautiful. Pavers are usually very durable, making them an investment that adds value to a home.

Hardscaping, or incorporating non-natural elements like stone walls, decks, or fences, can help create functional outdoor spaces for entertaining. These non-natural elements can be especially appealing to people who don’t want to take care of lots of live plants.

However, I find that many designers overdo it with hardscaping — and to me, a wall-to-wall concrete yard with little plant life is a bit sad-looking and challenging to update.

You don’t need to remove all vegetation to have a low-maintenance backyard. I recommend researching native plants or consulting with a landscaper to establish a beautiful, biodiverse garden that’s easy to care for. 

Colorful plastic chairs and tables often feel flimsy and can distract from a yard’s natural beauty.

Unless you’re willing to spring for pieces made from more durable materials like Polywood, which is made from high-quality recycled plastic, colorful furniture will likely fade and wear quickly in the sun.

Instead, I create a timeless garden space using heavy wrought-iron or wooden furniture.

Outdoor rugs are great in dry climates or areas where a portion of the yard is covered. However, they can get moldy and become high-maintenance nightmares in areas with heavy rainfall or high pollen levels. 

Instead, I like to add interest and dimension to a yard using various ground coverings, such as stone, tile, or wood decking. By diversifying my materials, I get the same effect as a rug but in a durable, design-focused way.

I find that solar-powered lights are unreliable and just not bright enough during darker winter months. Instead, I recommend installing path lights or other outdoor fixtures with regular bulbs.

For easy maintenance, select fixtures that allow bulb replacement rather than those that require removing the entire structure. 

Vinyl fencing is popular for its low-maintenance qualities, but I don’t like the look of sleek plastic in a natural landscape.

I prefer traditional wooden fencing, which is sometimes less expensive to install than vinyl and can blend into a yard as it naturally fades.

Instead of painting a wooden fence, I recommend staining it for a long-lasting treatment that matches the yard’s natural color palette. 

I avoid large, fabric-heavy furniture like ottomans and poufs because they need to be protected from the elements during harsh weather and require lots of storage space.

Instead, I opt for woven-rope furniture or high-quality metal pieces with cushions. However, I make sure the cushions are made from durable materials, such as Sunbrella, which is designed to resist fading and UV rays.

These synthetic fibers still need annual cleaning, and the cushions should be stored during rainy days or the offseason. However, these types of pieces are made to last and are more forgiving for low-maintenance backyards. 

I find plastic trinkets, wind spinners, and garden gnomes charming in moderation, but I prefer to use live plants and landscaping as the main decoration.

For a quirky backyard with sophisticated embellishments, I lean toward decor made from natural materials like stone and glass. These materials usually resist sun fading, which can make the decor look shabby. 

This story was originally published on June 24, 2024, and most recently updated on May 21, 2026.