Create a Backyard Oasis

If a water feature you can assemble in a day is more your speed, this is the project for you. This fountain is designed around a stone from which the water will flow out of into a gravel-filled reservoir below, and circulate back up through the rock with the help of a pump. You can either look for a rock, that comes pre-drilled, at local stone suppliers, or you can drill a hole through it yourself with a rotary hammer drill. Best of all, this water feature requires very little maintenance because it was designed to not require a collection pond. Locating it out of the sun reduces algae growth, keeping the water fresher. To learn everything you need to know to build this fountain, click here.

Nothing says summer like firing up the grill with friends and family. This 'grillzebo' allows you to keep an eye on the grill without leaving your guests; with ample room for seating, your guests will be comfortable and cool while you flip the burgers. It only takes a weekend to build this structure, and if you use Western red cedar like we did, it will last for years with a little upkeep. Plus, it's designed to fit most standard grills while also being small enough to fit on existing patios. You can customize it to your liking with room for coolers, storage and dishes. Read the full how-to here.

There's a time and place to fraternize with the neighbors, and that time isn't necessarily when you're trying to kick back and enjoy a little quiet time on the patio. We built an airy, attractive screen that serves as the perfect solution to achieving a little outdoor privacy for homes a bit too close for comfort to the neighbors. Plus, its unique look will enhance any yard. While it may look like a big project to tackle, most of the work is cutting boards to length and screwing them together. It measures 12 ft. long and 7 ft. tall at its highest point, but it's easy to adapt it to your yard. All the steps you need to construct this handsome outdoor privacy screen are here.

Expand your home's living spaces with a screened porch, perfect for hot summer days where you want some of the breeze and none of the bugs. It's a multi-day project, but you'll get many seasons of use per year out of this DIY addition. Built with standard dimensional lumber available at home centers, we designed this project not to have heavy beams or complicated joints. Straightforward construction plans make this project ideal for someone who is comfortable building decks or sheds. And the exposed rafters and open soffit make the whole project look attractive and professionally done. It may seem like an intimidating project to tackle, but we've broken down all the steps and tips you need to know here.

A fire pit is an upgrade that can be enjoyed by the whole family, whether it's rounding out a barbecue or fired up specially to make a batch of s'mores. Skip the store-bought models, which are often flimsy; for about the same price, you can DIY your own masonry version. It's easy to clean out, maintenance-free, and long-lasting. A project such as this also serves as the perfect introduction to masonry. While it will require a few days of work, much of that is setting time for the footing and mortar. Before getting started, check fire pit codes in your area; they may require the fire pit to be a certain number of feet away from any structures or overhanging trees. Click for the full set of instructions.

If you've always dreamed of hearing the sound of moving water from your property, we've got the project for you. It's possible to create a pond and babbling brook in your own yard using preformed shells, simplifying the project without compromising on sound effects. By using two preformed shells, one positioned a few inches higher than the other, and a pump, filter and hose, water can flow seamlessly and continuously from one and into the other. Once you've completed the project and it's filled with fresh water–we'll show you the whole step-by-step here–you can begin to fill in your new landscape feature with plants and aquatic wildlife.

A deck doesn't need to be big in size to be big on features. We've got the plans for everything you've ever wanted in a deck: cantilevered seating nooks, a cedar pergola for shade, detailed horizontal railings and cascading stairs, to name a few. It's the perfect space to fire up the grill, read a book, enjoy breakfast or set up a hammock for afternoon open-air naps. It's a big project, but one that you could complete in about two weeks if you've got some carpentry skills and a buddy. We've mapped out all the steps you need to achieve this unique, dreamy outdoor space–get the plans here.