You could terrace it but then you'd have to walk outside to view it which isn't a cost effective way to spend your $$. Why don't you try sowing native grasses? I am sure the department of ag or state university has a website. Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

Ohio must be really flat. It's hard for me to imagine you not having anything to look at around your area for inspiration. Come out to Cali for a vacation. Everyone has a sloped lot, but small space, so the retaining walls and landscaping are essential to get any joy or value out of your property. Start by determining what you want to use the yard for. Are there multiple uses? workshops storage sheds gardens play space outdoor kitchen seating entertaining swimming pool Make a simple plot plan layout and designate space for each function. Give ample transitional space for people to flow freely. Plan to build the retaining walls without moving too much dirt. You can create nice flat terraces by working with the existing grade. It is not really a good idea to bring in or take away very much soil. it could cause erosion or drainage issues with your entire lot.

One of the problems of the area that jumps out at me is all the blank wall space on your neighbor's house. It's a primary view that a tree would take care of. On your own house facing the street is some of the same, so another tree is in order. Insofar as giving a sense of privacy while not enclosing, I would suggest a spaced series of small, multi-trunk trees -- like crape myrtle -- that insulate from view anyone who is a distance away on the street while it allows you to see what's close. If you spend some time developing a good trunk arrangement, you'll get more screening (like a visual filter) out of the trees as the trunks develop. To develop the privacy even more and get a sense of protection, place a bed of groundcover below the multi-trunk trees. It should a height that allow your view to easily continue above them. You'll be viewing below the tree canopy and in order to do that, it should start at about 9' or 10' off of the ground. (I pollard crapes to 10' every year.)

Yard, we've hijacked Caroline's thread I think! :-) The bare ground in the 2013 pictures is indeed paths. The Sweet Woodruff almost completely died out in the winter of 2013/2014. Bits are struggling to come back but it's a slow process. Some of the Geranium macrorrhizum fared better and that is a tough plant that Caroline might want to try. I think we're having some semantic issues here :-) Hiding vs. screening etc. I like the 'mystery' of the paths by the shed leading off into 'unknown territory' behind the screening, enticing you to explore along the path to see what's there. Seeing far into the bed would also give you a good view of the neighbour-behind-us's unattractive metal shed on the other side of the fence! It's bad enough to see it in the winter when the leaves are off the shrubs; I don't want to see it in the warmer months. It's too dry under there to plant an evergreen screen of some sort to hide their shed - I've tried.... The yard is big enough that 'hiding' part of it doesn't feel claustrophobic. Backyard layout (ignore the notes....) The property is 75' wide: From the living room window in June: The path around the lawn provides access, makes keeping the grass from spreading into beads easy, and provides a 'racetrack' for dog play! (You can see the neighbour's shed in the background in the picture below.)