We wanted a pickleball court for Cowboy Club.
The yard had other opinions.
It was small, tight. The kind of space that usually ends up with a sad patch of grass and a line in the listing that says “outdoor area” and hopes for the best.
Instead of forcing the yard to become something it wasn’t, we looked at what it could do.
Designing around constraints instead of fighting them
The idea wasn’t to build a regulation court.
No one is flying in a referee. Guests aren’t measuring lines. They just want something fun.
So we split the space: half basketball, half pickleball.
Enough room to play, argue over first serve, and get competitive in the way group trips always do.
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The court became a feature because it acknowledged the limits of the space and worked with them. That decision alone changed how guests interacted with the yard.
Turning ignored space into something guests use
Once the main yard was working harder, we looked over at the side yard. Empty. Dusty. Just sitting there.
A little turf changed that. We rolled out a putting green and suddenly the side yard had a reason to exist.
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No more “dead space.” Now it’s a feature. And another reason to click Book Now.
That’s usually a good sign you made the right call.
Why small changes add up
Both moves had a clear purpose, and size had nothing to do with it.
Instead of one underwhelming outdoor area, the property ended up with multiple places guests could use at the same time.
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Originally, Cowboy Club was projected to bring in around $200,000 a year. It’s now tracking closer to $260,000.
That’s the Funkit way: Squeeze potential out of every inch.
Turn “no room for that” into “can’t believe they fit that.”
Looking at your property differently
Every property has at least one space that’s underperforming.
A yard no one uses. A corner that feels forgotten. An area that exists but doesn’t add to the experience.
Those spaces don’t usually need a full overhaul. They need a clear idea and a decision to stop treating them like leftovers.
Once a space starts earning its keep, guests notice. They talk about it. They use it. And it becomes part of why the listing gets chosen.
That’s how design decisions start showing up in revenue, without shouting about it.
