We Spent $30K on a Backyard Renovation: 8 STR Upgrades That Moved the Needle

We Spent $30k on a Backyard Renovation. Here's What Actually Moved the Needle.

Eight amenities. One tiny house in LA. A completely transformed outdoor space. Plus, a real-dollar breakdown of every line item.

This week, we're pulling back the curtain on what it costs to build out a backyard that will keep you booked all year long.

But first...

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8 Backyard Upgrades Every STR Host Should Know About in 2026

Most hosts obsess over interior design. Things like the right throw pillows, the perfect living room layout, the gallery wall. But the backyard? It's usually an afterthought.

That's a mistake. Because a well-designed outdoor space doesn't just photograph well, it unlocks a higher ADR (average daily rate), better reviews, and a massive competitive edge over the listings around you.

We recently went all-in on a backyard renovation, and documented every dollar. Here's exactly what we spent, why we chose each amenity, and what you can expect to pay if you're planning something similar. This should go without saying, but the costs we’re about to outline will fluctuate from market to market. So, your mileage will vary.

1) A Mural (or in this case, A bold fence treatment)
Our cost: $~550

Some kind of mural or graphic statement is close to mandatory at this point. For this property, we opted for black and white stripes on the fence instead of a traditional graphic mural, and it made the backyard pop in a way that photographs exceptionally well.

If you go the mural route, the best ones pay homage to the city the property is in. So get specific with your color palette and try to incorporate a recognizable local reference. It gives guests a sense of place (which matters).

Typical cost: $1,000–$2,500 for a custom graphic mural. We kept it simple at $500 labor + $50 paint.

2) String Lights
Our cost: ~$150

The single highest ROI upgrade on this list. A 105-foot strand runs $60, and the nighttime transformation is remarkable. You're not trying to illuminate a baseball field, just enough to make the outdoor space feel alive and inviting after dark.

One pro tip: Don't just hang lights. Add a support wire for tension. The last thing you want is a strand snapping under load. Budget an extra hour or two for a proper install.

Budget $50-70 for lights. Add wire, hooks, and extension cords and you're still well under $150 total.

3) Hot Tub
Our cost: ~$7,350

The industry standard, and still worth every penny if you manage it correctly. Data suggests a hot tub can add up to $50 to your average daily rate. Now, multiply that by annual occupancy and the math gets compelling fast.

I mean, just look at this picture (Courtesy of #1 Airbnb Photographer Barkhurst Studios). Who wouldn’t totally vibe out in this backyard?

A few things worth noting: skip the plug-and-play 110V setup. Go 240V. It heats faster and causes far fewer headaches when you need to refill. And plan for twice-weekly maintenance (weekly isn't enough). A guest checking into a cloudy tub will ask for a refund. Just trust us on this.

Hot tub unit: ~$4,000. Concrete pad: ~$2,600 (though this could definitely be done cheaper).

Wiring: ~$400. Accessories (steps, handrail, cover holder): ~$350.


4) Barrel Sauna
Our cost: ~$5,900

This is the new hot tub. The wellness amenity category is exploding, and a barrel sauna checks every box: It photographs beautifully (see the photo above), it's genuinely a relaxing experience, and it separates you from the competition almost everywhere right now.

We went with the Backyard Discovery Paxton Barrel Sauna. Like the hot tub, it requires a 240V connection. So if you have an electrician on site for one, get quotes for both at the same time.

Assembly is DIY-able IF you're handy. We hired a couple through Facebook Marketplace who knocked it out in about six hours for $600.

Unit retail: ~$4,899. Wiring: ~$400. Assembly labor: ~$600. Pro tip: Check HostGPO for group purchasing discounts on this exact unit (the savings are significant). If you tell them Host Camp sent you, you’ll get a free 3-month membership.
5) Outdoor Kitchen
Our cost: $6900 Installed

This one is genuinely game-changing if you're trying to build a premium backyard experience. We went with the Range Outdoor Living Emory 9FT kitchen island — professional-grade grill insert, outdoor fridge, collapsible sink, and full countertop. Guests who want to cook outside actually can.

The days of putting a $300 grill on a patio and calling it a "full outdoor kitchen" are over. Those cheap units rust out within a year or two. Quality outdoor furniture and appliances are a longer play. But please note, there are definitely more affordable set-ups out there. This set-up is what we’d consider the cat’s meow of outdoor kitchens.

We also chose natural gas over propane for both the grill and the fire pit. One plumber visit, and you never have to think about propane tanks again. That's a meaningful operational simplification.

Unit cost: ~$6,499. Assembly labor: ~$400. Again, HostGO members can save substantially here.

6) Patio Seating
Our cost: $4,400

An outdoor sectional and a dining table that seats everyone the property sleeps. That's always the goal. Don't underestimate how much guests use outdoor seating. Especially in warmer climates.

Buy quality here. Outdoor furniture takes a beating, and the cheap stuff from Amazon looks rough within a season or two. A good outdoor sectional runs $1,500–$3,000. A quality patio dining table is $800–$1,400. Chairs, $100–$200 per piece.

7) Fire Pit
Our cost: $1,000 Installed

Fire pits are loved by guests and a management headache if you don't set them up correctly. The #1 move: Buy one that converts to natural gas, then hire a plumber to run a natural gas line. No more propane tank complaints. No more guests messaging at 9pm because they can't figure out the setup.

Fire pit unit: ~$500. Natural gas conversion install: ~$400–$500 (a one-time cost that pays for itself in stress reduction immediately).

8) Turf + Mini Putt
Our cost: ~$3,700

This one surprised us. The mini golf element isn't just fun, it photographs like a luxury amenity, while still hitting the family demographic.

We installed roughly 580 square feet of turf, including regrading the yard, for $3,500 (plus $200 for extra dirt removal). Turf typically runs $5–$7/sqft in most markets, though LA tends to be higher. Get multiple quotes. We've heard of people paying $10,000–$20,000 for similar installs that should have cost half that.

Pro tip: Turf is where you can either get a great deal or get ripped off. Facebook Marketplace and local contractors can be a goldmine for competitive quotes.

And there you have it! A full breakdown of the 8 amenities we’re betting on in 2026. Hope you found this useful. If you have any questions, respond to this email and we’ll ping you back!

Want to see every amenity in the actual space? 👉Watch the full video breakdown here.

- Team Host Camp

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