Wednesday, June 17, 2026 · Phoenix, AZ
Valley Home & Living

Arizona's Home, Outdoor & Lifestyle Report

The Section

Outdoor Living

In Phoenix, the backyard is the most-used room in the house. We cover how it gets built, cooled, lit and maintained.

Nowhere in the country is outdoor space more central to daily life than the Arizona desert — and nowhere is it punished more relentlessly. Eight months of sun, monsoon dust storms, and a fifty degree daily swing from January night to July afternoon shape every material decision, every plant selection, every piece of equipment a homeowner installs.

Our Outdoor Living desk covers the pools, patios, shade structures, kitchens and landscapes that Valley homeowners are actually building in 2026 — and the trades behind them.

Recent Features

Pool Trends

The Quiet Return of the Classic Play Pool

After a decade of resort-style remodels, Valley designers are reporting renewed interest in simple, swimmable rectangles — and the equipment packages that keep them low-maintenance.

6 min read · Coming soon

Shade

Pergolas, Louvered Roofs & The 4 PM Problem

Anything west-facing in Phoenix has a 4 PM problem. We break down the shade structures actually surviving the desert and the brands worth the spend.

7 min read · Coming soon

Outdoor Kitchens

Building an Outdoor Kitchen That Won't Cook Itself

Stainless gets blistering. Cabinets warp. We talked to Valley fabricators about materials, layouts and budgets that hold up past year three.

8 min read · Coming soon

Landscape

Why Artificial Turf Is Quietly Losing Ground

Surface temps exceeding 160°F, HOA pushback and a new generation of drought-tolerant lawns are changing what Valley yards look like.

5 min read · Coming soon