You love to host. Maybe it’s summer cookouts, Friday night gatherings, or the go-to spot for the whole family on holidays. Whatever the occasion, your backyard sets the tone for every gathering. And if it’s not living up to its potential, we know exactly where to start. 

At Horstmann Brothers, we’ve spent more than 35 years helping St. Louis homeowners transform ordinary outdoor spaces into extraordinary ones. And when it comes to creating a backyard that’s truly built for entertaining, it all begins with one thing: great hardscaping. 

Here’s your blueprint. 

Step 1: Start with Structure — The Patio 

Every great entertaining space needs a strong foundation, and that foundation is your patio. It’s where guests naturally land, drinks in hand, and where the best conversations of the night tend to happen.  

A well-designed patio does more than look awesome. It defines your space, sets the tone for the rest of your backyard, and gives guests a clear, comfortable place to be. Horstmann Brothers works with a wide range of premium paver products, including Belgard, Romanstone, Paverstone, Rosetta, and dry-laid stone. With that many options, your patio can be completely one-of-a-kind, matched to your home’s style and your personal aesthetic.  

Whether you prefer the clean lines of a modern paver patio or the rustic charm of natural stone, the options are nearly endless! The result is a space that feels intentional, polished, and designed with purpose. 

From intimate courtyard-style layouts to expansive multi-zone entertaining spaces, we work closely with you to understand exactly how you use your backyard and design around that vision. 

Step 2: Guide Your Guests — Walkways That Flow 

Great entertaining spaces flow. Guests drift from the patio to the garden, from the fire pit to the water feature. The right walkways make that movement feel completely natural. 

Thoughtfully designed walkways aren’t just practical. They’re an opportunity to add beauty and texture to your landscape. A winding dry-laid stone path through a garden bed or a clean paver walkway leading from your back door to the entertaining area can completely elevate the experience of being in your backyard. 

  • Define separate zones for dining, lounging, garden. Create paths that connect them naturally 
  • Choose materials that complement your patio for a cohesive, designed look 
  • Consider width carefully: entertaining spaces benefit from wider walkways that allow guests to move side by side 

Horstmann Brothers offers walkway installation in a range of paver and natural stone products, so your paths can be as simple or as stunning as you’d like. 

Step 3: Add the Wow Factor — Natural Ponds & Waterfalls 

The secret to an unforgettable backyard? A water feature. 

There’s something genuinely magical about a natural pond or waterfall in a backyard setting. The sound of moving water is instantly relaxing, and the visual impact is undeniable. It creates a natural gathering point that draws guests in. Whether it’s a small bubbling fountain tucked into a garden corner or a full natural pond with a cascading waterfall, water features add a dimension of beauty and ambiance that no other landscaping element can replicate. 

Picture this…
The soft sound of moving water. String lights glowing across the surface. Guests settled in, nobody checking their phone. That’s not a five-star resort. That’s a Tuesday summer night in your backyard.  

Horstmann Brothers designs and installs natural ponds and waterfalls custom-built for each property. We work with you on size, placement, and style to ensure your water feature feels like a natural extension of your landscape. 

Step 4: Set the Mood — Landscape Lighting 

Here’s a detail that separates a good backyard from a great one: lighting. 

Your patio, walkways, and water features look beautiful in the daylight, but the right landscape lighting ensures they look just as stunning after the sun goes down. And for entertainers, that matters. Your parties don’t end at dusk. You might just be getting started! 

Horstmann Brothers offers complete low-voltage landscape lighting design, installation, and maintenance. The right lighting plan can: 

  • Illuminate your patio for safe, inviting evening gatherings 
  • Line walkways so guests can move confidently after dark 
  • Highlight your water features with a soft, glowing accent that makes them the centerpiece of your nighttime landscape 
  • Add warmth and ambiance that turns an ordinary evening into something memorable 

Properly placed lighting also adds security and safety to your property. Which is always a bonus that goes well beyond the aesthetic. 

Why Horstmann Brothers? 

When you’re investing in your outdoor space, you want a team with the experience, the craftsmanship, and the product knowledge to get it right. 

Every project starts with your vision and ends with exactly that. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Every material is chosen with care, and every design is built to be distinctly yours. 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to give your existing backyard a well-deserved upgrade, we can help you design a space that’s as functional as it is beautiful.  

Ready to Build Your Backyard Blueprint? 

Stop imagining it and start building it. Your guests are waiting for an invitation. Give them a backyard worth showing up for! Contact Horstmann Brothers today, and we’ll turn your dream backyard into a reality.