Custom Arvada Backyard with Stamped Concrete and Built-In Water Features

The Goodman Project in Arvada is a great example of how hardscape, masonry, water features, and an established landscape can be brought together to create a truly custom outdoor living space. Rather than installing one simple patio, the backyard was developed as a series of connected outdoor rooms that follow the natural elevation of the property.

The finished project combines multiple stamped concrete patio levels, custom steps, masonry walls, built-in seating, a decorative fountain, garden water features, river rock, and mature landscaping. Each element was designed to feel connected to the architecture of the home and to the surrounding trees, shrubs, grasses, and lawn.

The result is a backyard that feels established and comfortable while offering several different areas for dining, entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the landscape.

Multi-Level Stamped Concrete Patio

One of the defining features of the Goodman Project is the extensive stamped concrete. Rather than forcing the entire outdoor living area onto one elevation, the patio was constructed across multiple levels to work naturally with the existing grade.

The upper patio creates a large gathering and entertaining area directly behind the home, while a lower patio establishes a separate destination farther into the landscape. The different levels are connected by broad stamped concrete steps that make movement between the spaces feel comfortable and intentional.

The concrete was finished in warm earth-tone coloring with a natural stone-inspired stamped pattern. Variations within the texture create the appearance of individual stone while maintaining the strength, stability, and continuous surface of poured concrete.

The warm brown and tan tones complement the home's stucco exterior, stone veneer, surrounding mulch, natural rock, and mature landscape.

Raised Patio Construction and Custom Steps

The changes in backyard elevation required careful construction of the patio levels and transitions. Raised concrete sections create flat, usable outdoor spaces while allowing the landscape to retain its natural contours.

Wide stamped concrete steps connect the upper and lower patios. Using the same texture and coloring throughout the patios, steps, and exposed edges keeps the hardscape visually consistent.

The transitions were designed as part of the outdoor living space instead of being treated as simple utility stairs. Their width and placement make the different patio levels feel connected while creating strong visual lines through the backyard.

Custom Masonry Fountain

A built-in masonry fountain creates one of the most distinctive focal points of the project. The fountain was incorporated directly into a curved architectural wall overlooking the lower stamped concrete patio.

The fountain base features natural stone-style masonry veneer with a broad curved concrete cap. A coordinating stone backsplash rises behind the basin and is topped with an arched cap that mirrors the flowing shape of the surrounding wall.

This combination of curved stucco, stone veneer, and formed concrete creates a substantial architectural feature that feels permanent and fully integrated into the backyard rather than looking like a freestanding fountain placed on the patio.

The fountain introduces the sound and movement of water into the seating area and provides a calming focal point that can be enjoyed from both the lower patio and the surrounding landscape.

Custom Seat Wall and Built-In Seating

A coordinating masonry seat wall was constructed beside the fountain to create permanent seating along the edge of the lower patio.

The wall uses the same stone veneer and custom concrete cap as the fountain, allowing the two elements to read as one continuous design. Its gently curved profile follows the shape of the surrounding patio and architectural wall.

Built-in seating adds functionality without requiring additional furniture and helps define the lower patio as its own outdoor room. It also provides a comfortable place to sit near the fountain and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.

Curved Architectural Wall

Behind the fountain and seat wall, a flowing stucco wall creates a dramatic backdrop for the lower patio. Rather than using a straight wall, the top rises and falls in a gentle curve that works with the organic character of the surrounding landscape.

The smooth stucco provides contrast against the textured stone veneer while coordinating with the architectural finishes of the home.

This wall also helps visually separate the patio from the landscape behind it without creating the closed-in feeling of a tall privacy wall.

Custom Bar-Height Landscape Feature

Another unique detail within the project is a long raised counter-style feature positioned along the edge of the upper patio and water-garden area.

The smooth colored concrete top is supported by rounded stucco columns and creates a strong architectural accent between the patio and surrounding landscape.

Its placement provides a transition between the formal stamped concrete outdoor living area and the more natural rock and water elements beyond it.

Integrated Water Garden and Pond Area

Water is used in more than one part of the Goodman Project. In addition to the masonry fountain, the surrounding landscape includes a natural-style water-garden area integrated into the rock and planting beds.

Natural stone, river rock, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and aquatic-style plantings help the water feature blend into the landscape. Rather than creating a highly formal pond, these materials give the area the character of a small Colorado garden oasis.

The water feature can be viewed from the patio, seating areas, and upper outdoor living space, giving the homeowners multiple places from which to enjoy it.

Masonry and Stone Details Throughout the Backyard

Stone veneer is repeated throughout the project to visually connect the outdoor structures with the existing stonework on the home.

The fountain, seat walls, planter areas, and architectural features use coordinating gray, tan, and earth-tone stone. Custom concrete caps provide clean finished edges while introducing another layer of color and texture.

Repeating these materials throughout the backyard helps the entire project feel intentional and unified instead of looking like individual features were added at different times.

Stamped Concrete Outdoor Dining and Entertaining Area

The upper patio creates a substantial outdoor living space directly outside the home. Its broad surface provides plenty of room for dining furniture, grilling, entertaining, and everyday use.

Because the patio extends along the architecture of the house, it creates a comfortable transition between the indoor living space and the backyard.

The stamped concrete provides a decorative finish appropriate for the detailed landscape while still offering the durability needed for outdoor furniture, foot traffic, grilling, and Colorado weather.

Landscape Integration

What makes the Goodman Project especially successful is the way the hardscape was integrated into an already substantial landscape.

Mature deciduous trees provide shade and vertical structure throughout the property. Established shrubs, flowering plants, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, mulch, natural stone, and lawn soften the edges of the patios and masonry features.

The hardscape was shaped around these landscape elements instead of simply replacing them. This allows the finished patio to feel like part of the garden rather than a separate concrete area surrounded by landscaping.

Natural Rock, River Rock and Planting Beds

Natural stone and river rock were incorporated throughout the landscape to create texture and provide transitions between the patios, water features, mulch beds, and lawn.

Larger accent boulders help anchor planting areas and reinforce the natural Colorado character of the backyard. Smaller cobble and river rock provide a clean surface around water features and drainage areas.

The combination of different stone sizes creates depth while maintaining a natural appearance throughout the property.

Mature Trees, Grasses and Seasonal Color

The surrounding landscape includes a layered mixture of mature trees, ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials, and lawn.

Large shade trees create comfortable areas around the stamped concrete patios, while grasses and lower plant material soften the masonry and rock features.

The variety of foliage colors, plant heights, and textures gives the property interest throughout the growing season and helps the custom hardscape feel established within the landscape.

One Complete Arvada Outdoor Living Environment

The Goodman Project demonstrates what can be accomplished when landscape construction, stamped concrete, masonry, water features, planting, and elevation changes are treated as parts of one overall outdoor design.

The upper patio provides room for dining and entertaining. The lower patio creates a more intimate destination surrounding the fountain and built-in seating. Custom walls and masonry define the different spaces, while water, natural rock, mature trees, grasses, and planting connect everything back to the landscape.

The completed result is a distinctive Arvada backyard designed for entertaining, relaxing, enjoying the landscape, and spending time outdoors in a setting that feels both highly finished and naturally integrated.