So many of the best parts of being at home happen in small moments. Sitting outside with a cup of coffee. Enjoying a moment in relative privacy while the sun and fresh air revive you. Spending time with family and friends in a space big enough for everyone. 

More homeowners in Austin are shaping their backyards around those kinds of moments. Instead of thinking about big, one-time upgrades, the focus is on making the space easier to use on a regular basis.

Fortunately, the cost of making your outdoor space more livable doesn’t have to be huge. A new study by Alan’s Factory Outlet highlighted the most popular backyard improvement projects of 2026.  It found that, right now, homeowners are often working within a modest budget, and they’re prioritizing comfort and function over how it might look in a listing photo.

Your Backyard Isn’t Just a Backyard Anymore

Backyards are becoming part of everyday life. Homeowners are thinking more intentionally about how they use that space and what would make it more enjoyable.

What’s driving those decisions is simple: how it feels to be out there.

• 62% prioritize relaxation

• 38% want more time with friends and family

• 31% are thinking about home value

There’s also a practical lens shaping these upgrades.

• 34% see their backyard as a functional outdoor area

• 31% see it as a place to relax

• 22% see it as an extension of indoor space

Wellness plays a role here, too. Half of the homeowners surveyed say their backyard is “very” or “extremely” important to mental health

For many homeowners, the backyard has become a place to reset, recharge, get exercise, and spend time in a way that feels more natural.

What Homeowners Want Most in 2026

When you look at what people are actually prioritizing, the most popular upgrades are the ones that get used often and improve how the space works.

• 62% prioritize landscaping and aesthetics

• 48% plan to upgrade outdoor seating

• 38% are considering raised garden beds

• 35% are adding firepits

• 19% are upgrading sheds

• 19% are improving storage

Landscaping is often the starting point because it changes how a yard feels right away. Seating areas follow because they give you a place to actually spend time. Garden beds and firepits add both function and personality.

Wellness features are also gaining traction, especially for homeowners who want more out of their space.

• 12% plan to add hot tubs or plunge pools

• 5% are considering outdoor saunas

Some upgrades are more specific to lifestyle; 8% of surveyed homeowners are exploring pickleball courts. 

Outdoor kitchens, backyard gyms or courts, and hobby spaces are also becoming more common, depending on how people want to use their space.

What These Projects Actually Cost

Costs vary, though most homeowners are working within a defined range.

• Median backyard budget: $1,500

• 38% plan to spend under $1,000

• 27% plan to spend between $1,000 and $2,500

• 23% plan to spend more than $5,000

Here’s how common upgrades tend to break down:

• Landscaping: $3,517 average

• Seating areas: $1,500 to $10,000+

• Raised garden beds: $300 to $1,500

• Firepits: $200 to $3,000

• Shed upgrades: $2,000 to $15,000+

• Storage: $500 to $3,000

• Hot tubs: $2,000 to $11,000

• Plunge pools: ~$28,000

• Saunas: $3,000 to $10,000+

• Pickleball courts: $20,000 to $50,000

Some trends are also picking up attention online:

• Cold plunge: 1.08M searches, 227K TikTok posts

• Raised garden beds: 1.16M searches

How to Decide What’s Worth It

With so many options, it helps to keep things simple. The best upgrades are the ones you’ll use often. A few questions can help guide your decisions:

• Will I use this every week?

• Does this make my space easier to enjoy?

• Does it fit my budget?

If you’re planning to take on some projects yourself, it’s worth being realistic about the work involved.

• 9% reported a DIY project that didn’t go as planned

• Successful DIY projects averaged $1,928

• Failed DIY projects averaged $818

Starting with the basics tends to make the biggest difference. Landscaping, seating, and layout improvements create a foundation you can build on over time.