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Porches & Decks

Need help with my "back yard makeover"

6 years ago

I purchased my town home almost a year ago, and this is my first home, I am wanting to do work on the back since it is summer time. I am decently handy but have little imagination, so I would like your opinions on cost effective ways to improve the areas.

This is the full area of the back of my home, I would like thoughts on if seating would be something that would work back here.

I was thinking of extending the stairs to cover this area, but make it somewhat moveable if I need under the house.

This is the biggest area that needs improvement, the fence separates the neighbor's back and mine. He has his side stained a super bright red, that I am not into, so the thought was to either stain or paint as well as lighting and obviously doing something with the bottom.

Thank you!

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Comments (3)

handmethathammer
6 years ago
What about adding some plants? I would put some pots on that gravel between the fence and your patio and fill the space with colorful annuals and fragrant herbs.

I'm not sure how much work you want to do in a rental, but you might want to kill the grass coming up between the rocks. I don't mind the color of the fence, I just think your patio lacks life.

Add some colorful patio chairs and maybe one of those fire tables, and you have a nice place to sit and relax.
bibliophibian
6 years ago
I think you could easily get a table with 2 chairs back there, or two lounge/Adirondack chairs with a fire bowl. Ikea has some very inexpensive patio options. I agree with handmethathammer that some planters with brightly colored flowers and maybe some herbs if you're a cook would have a huge impact. Get a couple of fairly sizable planters of different heights. Estate sales and thrift stores often have good prices on these. If you get big ones you can put styrofoam in the bottom below the likely root depth to keep the weight and the cost of soil down. Make sure you get plants of varying height (google "thriller, filler, spiller" for an easy rule of thumb) and your local garden store can point you to some plants that do well in your climate. I don't mind the color of the fence--it doesn't look particularly red in the picture. I think it would look great with some wall planters on it with, again, some brightly colored annuals.
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S Rodriguez
6 years ago
You could install trellises next to the fence , covered with vines. A couple of comfy chairs, a side table, and potted plants would look good.

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