Totally get where you’re coming from. VR’s a solid tool for indoor planning—being able to move walls or furniture around virtually saves a ton of time and second-guessing. But yeah, outdoors is a whole different beast. I’ve tried using VR for patio layouts, but the lighting just never feels right, and it’s tough to judge how trees or fences will actually cast shade. I still end up walking the yard with stakes and a tape measure, just to be sure. Maybe one day the tech will catch up, but for now, nothing beats actually standing in the space and seeing how it feels.
I still end up walking the yard with stakes and a tape measure, just to be sure.
That’s honestly still my go-to for outdoor stuff. VR’s great for getting a sense of flow inside, but outside, there’s just too many variables—sun angles, tree growth, even how the ground feels underfoot. I usually mark out patio edges with string and walk around at different times of day to see where the shadows actually fall. Have you tried using those sun path apps to get a rough idea of shade before you start measuring, or do you just eyeball it?
