9 Phoenix Outdoor Rooms Designed In Earthborn Elegance With Reclaimed Elements
Phoenix homeowners are embracing a new trend that marries sustainability with style; outdoor rooms crafted from reclaimed materials. These earthy havens offer a perfect escape from the desert heat while honoring our connection to nature. I’ve explored some of the most stunning examples around the Valley, where creative souls have transformed forgotten treasures into breathtaking outdoor sanctuaries.
1. Desert-Inspired Dining Pavilion
My jaw literally dropped when I first stepped into this magical dining space! Old barn doors serve as the pavilion’s roof, filtering sunlight into mesmerizing patterns across the floor.
The centerpiece? A massive table crafted from a fallen mesquite tree that the homeowner salvaged after a monsoon storm. What makes this space truly special is how it captures Phoenix’s essence; weathered wood contrasting with native cacti planted in vintage copper pots.
At night, mason jar lights (rescued from a demolition site) cast a warm glow that makes dinner conversations flow like fine wine.
2. Salvaged Shipping Container Lounge
Who would’ve thought an old rusty shipping container could become the neighborhood’s coolest hangout spot? The owners sliced one side open and installed salvaged window frames to create a breathtaking view of Camelback Mountain.
Inside, the floor is a mosaic of broken concrete pieces arranged in a spiral pattern; all rescued from a demolished shopping center. The genius touch? They’ve installed a misting system made from repurposed copper pipes that keeps the space 15 degrees cooler than outside temperatures.
I’m obsessed with the hanging chairs made from old tractor tires wrapped in colorful climbing rope!
3. Railway Sleeper Reading Nook
Bookworms, prepare to swoon! Tucked beneath a mature palo verde tree sits the coziest reading sanctuary I’ve ever encountered. The homeowner, a retired railroad engineer, collected discarded railway sleepers over decades and transformed them into built-in benches.
What’s brilliant is how the wood has naturally weathered to match the desert palette. Cushions covered in fabric from vintage flour sacks provide unexpected comfort against the rugged wood.
My favorite feature has to be the clever little tables made from old gear wheels; perfect for balancing your iced tea while diving into a good novel during those perfect winter afternoons.
4. Vineyard Barrel Spa Retreat
Talk about upcycling genius! This Arcadia homeowner partnered with a local winery to repurpose oak barrels into the most extraordinary outdoor spa I’ve ever seen. The showstopper is a hot tub crafted from four massive fermentation barrels joined together, still emanating subtle hints of cabernet.
Surrounding the tub, reclaimed flagstone creates a natural-looking deck that seems to have emerged organically from the desert floor. For privacy, they’ve hung old wooden ladders horizontally between posts and trained desert vines to create living walls.
The whole space is illuminated by lanterns made from wine bottles; pure magic when the sun sets!
5. Greenhouse Kitchen From Antique Windows
Holy guacamole! I’ve found outdoor kitchen perfection in this North Phoenix gem. The owners collected dozens of antique windows from historic Phoenix buildings before demolition and assembled them into a greenhouse-style outdoor kitchen that’ll make you weep with joy.
Sunlight streams through colored glass panes, casting rainbow patterns on the cooking island made from a repurposed church altar. Quirky? Absolutely! But it works brilliantly with the sink basin that was once a stone water trough from a pioneer homestead.
During dinner parties, guests can pick fresh herbs from vertical gardens planted in old rain gutters while the host grills on a custom BBQ built into an antique iron bathtub.
6. Hacienda Courtyard With Territorial Bricks
Step back in time! This Paradise Valley courtyard transported me to old-world Arizona with its ingenious use of territorial bricks salvaged during the restoration of downtown Phoenix’s oldest buildings. The homeowners numbered each brick before carefully reassembling them into herringbone patterns that tell a story with every footstep.
Overhead, a pergola constructed from weathered telephone poles supports a canopy of native grape vines. The real conversation piece is the fountain; a massive copper mining pan that once processed ore in Jerome, now bubbling with recirculated rainwater collected from the roof.
Around sunset, the space glows with warmth from iron fire bowls that began life as sugar-beet processing equipment.
7. Schoolhouse Outdoor Theater
Movie nights will never be the same after visiting this backyard cinema in Tempe! The creative homeowners, both former teachers, salvaged materials from their demolished elementary school to create an outdoor theater that’s bursting with nostalgia and clever repurposing.
Old classroom chalkboards form a projection wall, while students’ wooden desks have been reimagined as tiered seating with added cushions. My heart melted when I spotted the original school bell, now used to announce the start of each film.
For added comfort during cooler evenings, vintage classroom maps have been waterproofed and repurposed as cozy blankets; geography lessons have never been so snuggly!
8. Golf Course Greens Meditation Space
Finding inner peace has never looked so stylish! When a local golf course underwent renovation, one clever Scottsdale homeowner snagged the discarded putting greens and transformed them into the most serene meditation space you can imagine.
The artificial turf creates a perfect circular platform bordered by a labyrinth path made from old golf tees pressed into concrete; over 10,000 of them in mesmerizing patterns! Flagsticks have found new purpose as posts for string lights that create a magical canopy overhead.
My absolute favorite touch? Meditation cushions crafted from old golf bags, their leather weathering beautifully in the Arizona sun. Even non-spiritual types would find enlightenment here!
9. Firehouse Alfresco Game Room
Game night just leveled up! When Phoenix’s oldest firehouse was decommissioned, these brilliant homeowners salvaged its treasures to create the ultimate outdoor game room that has become legendary among their friends.
The old fire pole now supports a circular table made from the station’s wooden floor, perfect for card games. Sliding brass poles once used for gear have been repurposed as rails for a rolling bar cart that glides effortlessly across the space.
I couldn’t stop laughing at the clever repurposing of fire hoses; they’ve been woven into weather-resistant hammock chairs that gently sway while you wait your turn at the shuffleboard table (made from an old fire truck ladder, naturally).
