I always go up to the ranch with a bit of a plan… and almost every time, it shifts. This past weekend was supposed to be all about getting our new fence panels up. We had everything ready — panels delivered, space cleared, ideas in place. But the weather was beautiful, the neighbors were out, and before we knew it, we were doing what everyone does up there… slowing down, visiting, and just enjoying it.
Update: We’re heading to the ranch this weekend to start building the fence — I’ll be sharing the full transformation and what we learned very soon.
That’s the thing about our tiny retreat. It doesn’t run on strict timelines like our main home does. You prep ahead — gravel gets dumped, fence panels get delivered, lumber gets stacked — and when you make it back out, you pick up where you left off. Or you don’t. And honestly, no one cares.
👉 I shared more about how we started shaping this space in our Tiny Retreat Living: Gravel Ranch Update.
There’s something really special about that kind of lifestyle. With over 1000 lots, everyone’s on their own schedule, but somehow things always come together. If you need a hand, someone’s there. Even someone you’ve never been introduced to yet. It’s relaxed, it’s a little unpredictable, and it’s exactly why we love it.
So while the fence didn’t go up this weekend, it did give us time to think through the bigger picture — how we want this space to feel, how we’ll create more privacy, and what we’re planning around it. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about putting up a fence… it’s about turning this space into a private little retreat that feels calm, simple, and completely ours.
👉 If you’re looking for more ways to create that same feel, I shared some of my favorite ideas here: 10 Simple Patio Ideas to Make Your Tiny Retreat Feel Like a Resort.
The Fence Plan (Simple, Practical, and Long Overdue)
We do already have fencing around parts of the lot, but after the last windstorm, it became pretty clear just how much it needed attention. A tree came down two lots over — which was honestly a bit scary, but not totally uncommon after a strong wind up there — and it gave me a clear view of just how worn out some of our panels had become.
The newer panels we ordered are about a foot taller than what we’re replacing, which will make a big difference for privacy right away. They also have a nice valence along the top, so they feel a little more finished and intentional compared to what we had before. It’s a simple upgrade, but one that will completely change how the space feels.
We’re focusing the replacement where it matters most — around the fire pit area and along the right side where the neighboring lot is closest. That’s where the old panels were really starting to fall apart, and where the extra height and structure will have the biggest impact.
The patio area, on the other hand, still has solid panels, so we’re leaving those as is for now. It helped keep costs down and honestly just made sense — not everything needs to be done all at once.
It’s one of those projects that isn’t overly complicated, but it’s going to make a huge difference. And after seeing the condition of the old fence up close, I’m really glad we decided to move forward with it.
Real Life at the Ranch (Why Projects Don’t Always Go as Planned)
One thing we’ve learned pretty quickly is that projects at the ranch don’t follow the same kind of timeline as they do at home — and that’s actually part of the appeal.
You can have everything ready to go — materials delivered, tools on hand, a clear plan in mind — and still choose to slow things down when you get there. Not because you have to, but because you want to.
That shift has been one of the biggest differences for us.
At home, it’s easy to feel like every project needs to be finished as quickly as possible. Out at the ranch, it’s more about progress over time. You prepare ahead, pick away at things when you can, and let everything come together a little more naturally.
It also changes how the space feels overall. Instead of rushing through updates, we’re able to think through each step — what we actually need, how we want it to look, and how everything will work together long term.
And in a community like this, where everyone is working on their own timelines, there’s a shared understanding that things don’t have to be done all at once.
The fence is a good example of that. It’s important, and it’s happening soon — but it’s also part of a bigger plan that we’re building over time, not rushing to finish in a single weekend.
Landscaping Ideas We’re Planning Around the Fence
Once the fence is in place, that’s really when the space starts to come together. For us, it’s not just about adding privacy — it’s about creating something that feels intentional, functional, and still very relaxed.
We actually made a bit of progress on the landscaping side this past weekend, which helped us start visualizing how everything will work together.
You Might Also Love
If you love creating a space that feels relaxed, functional, and a little like a getaway, these ideas might inspire your next project:
- Tiny Retreat Living: Gravel Ranch Update
A simple way we started shaping the space and making it more usable. - 10 Simple Patio Ideas to Make Your Tiny Retreat Feel Like a Resort
Easy upgrades that instantly make your outdoor space feel more inviting. - Coastal Neutral Decor Ideas That Feel Like a Vacation
Soft, calming design ideas inspired by natural textures and tones.
1. Creating a More Intentional BBQ Area
One of the first changes we made was moving the BBQ from the left side of the lot over to the right side of the shed. It just made more sense for how we use the space.
Jason leveled it out on pavers, and we added a row along the front of the shed to give it a bit more structure and detail. Even that small change made it feel more put together.
The plan now is to extend those pavers further out and create a proper BBQ zone. We’re adding a long, narrow prep table that will run along the back of the trailer and connect into the planter near the push-out.
We also plan to build a removable false wall underneath the push-out for extra storage — one of those simple solutions that makes a big difference without taking away from the look.
2. Built-In Planters for Structure and Balance
To keep things feeling cohesive, we’re planning to mirror the planter design on both sides of the push-out so everything feels balanced.
At one point we considered using cinder blocks for the base and finishing them with cedar to match the roof, but the more we thought about it, the more we realized sticking with wood throughout would feel warmer and more in line with the overall look we’re going for.
Simple, clean, and consistent.
3. Adding Vertical Greenery Along the Fence
With the new fence being all wood, we don’t want it to feel too heavy or flat — so we’re planning to add a couple of tall, narrow planters along it to bring in some greenery.
The idea is to use a non-invasive climbing plant (still researching the best option) to soften the look without creating a maintenance issue down the road.
Each planter will also include a stake or post where we can hang string lights or a simple cordless light. I love anything cordless — it just makes everything easier — so having both options gives us flexibility depending on the mood.
4. Soft Landscaping with Shade-Loving Plants
We’re also planning to keep the landscaping natural and low maintenance, especially around the water hookup area and along one side of the driveway.
Think ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving plants that can handle the conditions without needing constant attention.
And for me, it has to be real plants. No faux greenery — no judgment if you love it, but it’s just not the look I’m going for here.
5. Keeping It Simple, Natural, and Livable
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to overdesign the space. It’s to create something that feels easy to maintain, comfortable to use, and still visually pulled together.
A mix of wood, greenery, soft lighting, and practical zones — all anchored by the new fence — will give us that balance of function and style without taking away from the relaxed feel that makes the ranch so special.
The Look We’re Going For (Neutral, Natural, and a Little Desert-Inspired)
As we started planning everything out, I kept coming back to the same kind of look — something neutral, simple, and inspired by the tones you see in places like Arizona or parts of Mexico.
Not the bold, colorful side of it, but the softer, more natural elements — warm earth tones, layered textures, and materials that feel like they belong in the landscape.
That said, I have a feeling our version is going to lean a little more practical than styled.
We’re already seeing a lot of cement grey with the pavers and gravel, mixed with cedar accents from the planters and roof, and touches of black from the painted patio structure. It’s a bit more structured than I originally imagined, but still very much in line with that calm, grounded feel.
Where I think it will really come together is in the finishing layers — adding in cream-toned pots, outdoor pillows, and cushions to soften everything and bring in that lighter contrast.
Nothing overly styled or fussy. Just enough to warm it up and make it feel comfortable.
Because at the end of the day, I want it to feel like a space we can actually relax in — not something we’re constantly trying to keep perfect.
What We’ve Done So Far (And What It Already Changed)
Even though we didn’t get to installing the fence this past weekend, we did make a few small changes that are already helping the space feel more organized and intentional.
The biggest one was moving the BBQ from the left side of the lot over to the right side of the shed. It just made more sense for how we naturally use the space, especially with the fire pit and seating area nearby.
We set it on leveled pavers and added a row along the front of the shed, which instantly gave it a bit more structure. It’s a small detail, but it made a noticeable difference in how that area looks and functions.
Seeing those small updates come together actually made it easier to picture the next steps — where the fence will go, how the planters will tie in, and how the whole space will eventually feel once everything is in place.
Sometimes just starting, even in a small way, is enough to get the momentum going.
What’s Next for Our Tiny Retreat
Now that everything is delivered and ready, the next step is getting those fence panels installed — especially around the fire pit area and along the right side where we need the privacy the most.
After that, we’ll start working on the landscaping pieces we’ve been planning:
- Extending the paver area around the BBQ
- Building the narrow prep table and connecting planter
- Adding the mirrored planter on the other side of the push-out
- Creating the small storage space underneath
Once those larger elements are in place, we’ll move into the finishing touches — planters, greenery, lighting, and soft details that bring everything together.
It’s definitely a process, but one we’re looking forward to building out step by step.
You Might Also Love
If you love creating a space that feels relaxed, functional, and a little like a getaway, these ideas might inspire your next project:
- Tiny Retreat Living: Gravel Ranch Update
A simple way we started shaping the space and making it more usable. - 10 Simple Patio Ideas to Make Your Tiny Retreat Feel Like a Resort
Easy upgrades that instantly make your outdoor space feel more inviting. - Coastal Neutral Decor Ideas That Feel Like a Vacation
Soft, calming design ideas inspired by natural textures and tones.
Patio Essentials I’m Loving Right Now
As we start pulling our tiny retreat together, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to the pieces that actually make an outdoor space feel comfortable and usable — not just styled.
For me, it’s all about keeping things simple, neutral, and easy to maintain. Pieces that can handle the elements, look good without trying too hard, and still give that relaxed, resort-like feel we’re going for.
I’ve put together a collection of patio essentials that I either use, plan to use, or would choose again because they fit that exact vibe — think soft textures, warm tones, practical pieces, and a few details that make everything feel just a little more finished.
Nothing overdone. Just pieces that work.
You can browse everything here:
👉 [Simple Patio and Tiny Retreat Finds]
Final Thoughts
This project might not have gone exactly as planned this past weekend, but in a way, that’s what makes it feel right for this space.
Nothing at the ranch feels rushed, and that’s something I’ve really come to appreciate. The projects happen over time, the ideas evolve, and everything comes together in a way that feels natural instead of forced.
The fence will go up soon, and when it does, it’s going to completely change how the space looks and feels. But even now, just having a plan in place — and starting to shape the layout — already makes it feel like we’re getting closer to the kind of retreat we’ve been imagining.
Simple, private, and easy to enjoy.
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