How We Helped a Local Family Maximize Their Small Backyard with a Custom Deck in Valley, NE

 

Deck Builds in Valley NE has something different from other places. Close-knit neighborhoods, gold sunsets, and your own backyard as the best place to be on a quiet summer evening. However, the small and uneven yard of a local family was making their dream a bit difficult. They loved their house and wanted to have an outdoor space to relax and entertain, but the sloped backyard made them feel like they lost the space instead of having a retreat.

That’s when we received the call.

At Hunt Home Remodeling, we have encountered many yards in Valley that are like this one – lovely but difficult. The slope of the land, heavy clay soil, and the freeze-thaw cycles that happen every winter make building something stable and that requires little maintenance feel like a puzzle. Nevertheless, it's a puzzle that we have come to enjoy solving.

The Challenge — A Small, Sloped Yard with Limited Usable Space

The family’s backyard was on the slope of a gentle hill — not a steep hill, but just enough to make traditional landscaping difficult. After every rain, puddles were formed in strange places, and mowing that section was always a hard task. They had a small concrete pad that might fit two chairs and a grill, but there was no room for friends, family dinners, or even a good spot to relax after work.

This kind of yard is actually very common in Valley. Most homes here are located on plots where the terrain goes down towards the drainage areas or the edges of the property. If you also take into account the Nebraska weather — humid summers, freezing winters, and spring rains that turn the soil into mud — then you have a recipe for very limited outdoor use unless you plan carefully.

Therefore, instead of struggling with the slope, we chose to build with it.

The Idea — Creating Space Without Expanding the Yard

The homeowners were not willing to dig up their entire backyard or pour a lot of concrete. They wanted something that was simple, functional, and required little maintenance — a place where they could have their morning coffee, a barbecue once in a while, and let their kids play safely.

After a few sketches and conversations over coffee, the idea of a raised custom deck gradually came into being. A deck would make it possible for them to “build up” instead of “build out,” that is, turning the unusable slope into usable square footage. We planned a place that was an extension of their back door and gradually went down to the yard — almost as if the deck was naturally hovering over the ground.

The idea was to have the main level for sitting and dining, a small lower part for a fire pit, and railings with built-in seats. It would be intentional, not forced — a space that belonged to the yard instead of being on top of it.

Our Approach — Smart Design and Local Know-How

Designing for the Terrain

We began by examining the slope. The soil in Valley is quite a bit of a moisture holder, especially after the rains such as the ones that bring in spring. Instead of digging in deep and risking that water pools around posts, we secured our structure with helical piers. They are ideal for Nebraska soil and can easily take care of any shifting that occurs due to dropping temperatures.

After that, the materials got their turn. The homeowners were initially set on having a wood deck but after discussing the long-term maintenance, they decided to go with composite decking. The latter will not splinter, fade or warp even if Valley experiences a hot summer and a freezing winter – and that alone is a great saving in terms of time and money for the upkeep.

Building for Comfort and Longevity

Moreover, we installed an under-deck drainage system, a feature that has brought a huge difference to the area here. It keeps the space under the deck dry and free even in the case of a heavy downpour. That spot can, therefore, be converted into storeroom or even a shaded seating area further down the road.

The little things were important too. We decided on aluminum railings for their durability and low maintenance, LED lights for safety, and left space for planters at the sides. The point of view under which everything was done is that the deck should be as long-lasting as the home without the need for a maintenance weekend every summer.

The Transformation — From Cluttered to Comfortable

It was not only the yard that changed in appearance after the completion of the deck, but also the use of it by the family.

The muddy slope that was there before had been replaced by a lovely two-level deck where dinner could be had, relaxation could be done, or the kids could be watched as they played in the yard below. Together with some string lights, a small bistro table, and some potted plants, the family made that tiny space double in size without them realizing it.

The thing that was most noticeable was the level of connection between everything. None of the yards was overpowering the other; on the contrary, the deck flowed with the yard. The design made the home look bigger and since Valley's weather was taken into consideration while constructing, it is capable of withstanding every season – be it the scorching July sun or the frosty December nights.

Lessons for Valley Homeowners

We learned from this project (and many similar ones) a few things that can help any Valley homeowner when upgrading their outdoor space:

1. Decks are more effective than patios on uneven or small lots. When the ground is not level, decks enable you to make flat, usable surfaces without major excavation.

2. One should go for composite decking because of the benefits if the price is a concern. It is strong enough to handle the temperature changes, heavy rains, and the humid days of the year — and it doesn’t require fixing during your free time.

3. Design according to your conditions, not against them. Do not “fix” a slope by working with it. The right design can give you the feeling that your yard is bigger even if the square footage stays the same.

These lessons are born of our experience — from those countless backyards in and around Valley where we have had the same problems and have found ingenious solutions to make outdoor spaces more inviting.

Tips for Maximizing Small Outdoor Spaces in Valley, NE

If your backyard is too small or awkwardly shaped, here are some ideas that we often share with our neighbors:

Think Vertically

Use rail planters or privacy screens to add green without the loss of floor space. Vertical gardens or trellises can give a feeling of being surrounded by nature and being private even in very small areas.

Choose Dual-Purpose Features

Some examples of dual-purpose features are as follows: built-in benches, storage boxes that double as seats, and foldable furniture which allows for the fullest use of limited space. Every square foot is of utmost importance.

Use Materials Built for the Midwest

Valley’s climate is quite demanding when it comes to materials that are suitable for outdoor use. Composite decking, powder-coated aluminum railings, weather-resistant lighting, are a few of the smart choices that will last long (both in terms of time and elements).

Every Yard Has Potential

What impressed me the most besides the excellent look of the deck was the joy of the family to have finally found a space that fits their needs. They did not move mountains or spend a fortune. They just reimagined the possibilities.

That means the real message for Valley homeowners: every yard has potential. No matter if it is a steep slope, a tiny lot, or a space that just isn’t “usable,” a little creativity and local know-how can do wonders.

In a community like ours where time outdoors and making the most of what we have is of great value, a well-designed deck is not just a project — it is a lifestyle upgrade.

Sometimes, all that is needed is a different view of your backyard to realize how much room you really have to grow.