You're not alone if your backyard looks more like a ski slope than a family hangout. Here in the Portland metro, it’s common to find homes built on hillsides or lots with uneven grades. While the views are often incredible, the reality is less glamorous: erosion, water runoff, mowing nightmares, and wasted space.

The good news? With the right design and landscape construction, those steep slopes can be transformed into layered outdoor spaces that add beauty, value, and function to your property. Let’s explore how to turn hillside headaches into hillside havens.

If you’ve lived through even one rainy Oregon winter, you know the struggle: muddy shoes, patchy lawns, and the eternal battle against moss. For decades, natural grass has been the go-to choice for Portland homeowners. But lately, synthetic turf has been stealing the spotlight. So which one really wins? 

Let’s break it down in a way that matters to you and your backyard dreams.