![A modern yard with an elevated fire pit, deck, pergola, and outdoor tv.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/yard-design-pergola-firepit-outdoor-dining-modern-landscaping-280820-1126-01.jpg)
A landscaped backyard can add value to any house, and this modern backyard by Brookside Landscape Design together with Ocotillo Design Group, is a good example of what can be done.
The backyard is divided into different areas. First, we’ll take notice of the alfresco dining area, which is defined by travertine pavers and a pergola made from steel and rough cedar slats.
![A modern yard with an alfresco dining area located underneath a steel and cedar wood pergola with travertine pavers.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/yard-design-pergola-outdoor-dining-280820-1126-02.jpg)
Artificial turf replaced grass for lower maintenance and less water usage, while an Ipe wood retaining wall runs along the property and provides a backdrop for the weathering steel planters. At one end of the yard, there’s a small raised deck for a couple of outdoor rocking chairs.
![A modern yard with a wood retaining wall, steel planters, raised decks, and a steel and wood pergola.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/modern-yard-design-planters-landscaping-280820-1127-03.jpg)
The other end of the yard features a secondary raised seating area. This time, concrete steps lead up to a wood deck with a built-in bench made from the same material, while a custom board-formed elevated fire pit is the focal point.
Nearby, there’s an outdoor television mounted on the retaining wall and above the flower-filled steel planters.
![A modern yard with a raised seating area with a fire pit.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/modenr-backyard-firepit-built-in-seating-280820-1127-04.jpg)
Concrete pavers connect the seating area with the Bocce court, that’s located along the side of the house.
![A modern yard with a raised seating area and fire pit, and a bocce court.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bocce-court-yard-design-landscaping-280820-1127-05.jpg)
Here’s a look at the backyard as seen from above and it’s layout.
![A modern yard with seating area, fire pit, built-in benches, steel planters, alfresco dining under a pergola, a bocce court, and artificial grass.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/landscaping-backyard-design-from-above-280820-1127-06.jpg)