Thanks @K Laurence. I’ll post some in the morning. I just wanted y’all to see the lights.

You said: BTW, moving the furniture under the tree or getting a deck are NOT options.

OK, good to know. What kind of ideas are you looking for, plant selection and landscaping but not $$$ hardscaping. Or ? How much are you willing to spend? How long do you think you'll live there? BTW one of my friends who rents (and has great design taste) gets lots of ideas from Apartment Therapy. I typed "patio" into their search bar and a lot of items popped up. Maybe some inspo there?

Daylight images would definitely help. Also are you able to take one shot that shows the whole area and existing layout?

@girl_wonder, I thought maybe potted plants I could take with me when I move but have no idea which, low maintenance plants that would be able to thrive under the lemon tree. It’s very humid there, which is why I had to move the furniture; it was rotting.

I’ll look up Apartment Therapy. Thanks. And I’ll take daylight pics.

I don't particularly love the lights as they are now -- how about lights IN the tree? And then some big lanterns with multiple candles on the coffee table.

The furniture, of course, doesn't show to its best advantage under those covers, so I don't know what to say about it ... but with all the brick, I'd like to see COLOR in the furniture. Is it paintable?

How about an outdoor rug? Right now's the time to snap up such things on clearance.

You need something on the walls, but I don't know what.

.

I tried to get pics of the full patio but its rectangular shape and its size make it hard. The biggest problem I see right now is the downward slope toward the sides (see back wall). All pics I’ve seen are of flat landscapes.

I would suggest looking on Pinterest for ideas about gardens for rental properties.

Your space is screaming for color. As a renter on a budget, I’d focus on pretty pots w/ plants or flowers you can take with you when you go. Add some big lanterns with candles. I’d suggest a new patio rug – but I’m not sure a rug works in your space. Move that lone chair from the corner and bring it over to your conversation area or toss it if you don’t use it. Maybe add some colorful Adirondack chairs & pillows. I think I’d like the lights if they were more uniform, pulled tighter w/ less slack – but I like the idea above about stinging them in the tree. I don’t think the furniture needs to be protected, just the cushions, right?? The covers –& I get that they’re just covers– they look gross. I’d probably invest in a deck storage box and keep the pillows there. Lots of potential here!!

May I ask your general location and if that is concertina wire atop the wall?

Lanterns, potted plants, anything removable as Paula said is a good idea!

Are you looking for general suggestions or a design layout?

@catlady, I’m an expat living in Medellin, Colombia. The weather is sunny during the day and rainy afternoons and nights. Temperature highs are around 80 and lows 55.

@flores,I’m not sure if I’m looking for suggestions or a layout, as I’m sooo inexperienced and lack design talent. I just know the look is not right and I’d like an inviting back yard.

I would put stepping stones under your seating area to create a solid surface. This is easy and not expensive; I’ve done it several times in various places I’ve lived; they can be pulled up and taken with you. I would then put a very large & light container beside the chair on the left, filling it with plants and a sturdy 10 foot hi pole. Take the section of light that goes to the tree and string it to the pole in the pot instead — so your seating area is surrounded with lights. There are hanging plants and/or lanterns that could be placed on the wall behind the left chair to frame that area. I’d visit a few archectural salvage yards to see if you could find something of interest to hang above the couch. Perhaps a bike tire or two or three painted a creamy color. Finally I would highlight your tree either with a spotlight shining from the ground into the branches or with globes of light which you can make yourself with wire plant baskets and lights. This is a charming patio — have fun! Enjoy!

Perhaps some portable modular decking, either created or purchased.

Ok , it's a rental property ...first ask yourself what you want to do in the backyard ..EAT? , entertain ? ..then either buy a little outdoor table table and a few chairs ..to sit and have lunch or dinner . Take off the covers and make yourself a corner to sit or put them in front of the tree . Put the lights inside the tree ..that would be prettier , as suggested by others ..and then buy or make a bench or a side table for buffets outdoors. ..you have a great looking little backyard ..buy only what you can use later when you move ..or what you can sell I would put plants on the wall ...and a few pots with plants framing the seating area ..plants you can also use indoors ..later ..good luck . If you want to have a party outside ..all you need is a side table or a slap of wood to put bottles and glasses ..get inspired on HOUZZ,s outdoor entertaining areas

Not a Pro.

Maybe you mentioned it above, not sure I saw what your budget is, but rolling out some fake grass. NO mowing involved, can't take it with you when you move, but hey it looks like grass. Define your patio area with grass and some square pavers. They can be laid down by hand. Flowers in ceramic pots. Now those you can take with you, they will be heavy, but beautiful in your next home. One weekend of work. Add outdoor candles and wine and you have a party!

Some inspiration:

Brookline Brownstone · More Info

Cottage Perennial · More Info

Ok, I’ve put some of your advice to use and this where I’ve gotten so far. I’m shopping for stone pavers but have no idea where to get a pole/lamp post. I’m also looking into wall decor. Wish me luck and any advice is good advice. Thanks!

The outdoor area rug is a fantastic idea!

The rug looks great!

One thing you can also do is if you have a good relationship with your landlord, (this is not legal advice, this is just a suggestion that a friend did once - thought it was a great idea) you can ask if they might be ok with you using a portion of your rent each month to upgrade the backyard space. And you give them the receipts but that way you can upgrade it a little further with things like artificial turf and make it a space you love without worrying about only using removable items. A little far out but sometimes worth exploring!

Also we have a Pinterest board with small backyard ideas if you want to browse for some ideas!

https://www.pinterest.com/floresartscape/small-backyard-landscape-design-inspo/

Found this. Still waiting on the vertical garden for the wall behind the couch.

Vertical garden in and installed. Waiting for installation of umbrella and then I’ll decide how to hang the lights permanently. Oh, and covers are in the process of being unstained. Maybe you can see the difference between the chairs and the sofa. Again, I’m open to suggestions.

Coming along! Looks great so far!

This is where I’m at. Umbrella installed and I’ll reorganize the string lights as soon as it stops raining.

Now, this corner. What can I do here?

How comfortable are those stones (?) to step on getting to seating? I might put down some stepping stones to that area. How do you envision using the area under the tree?

The stones are not comfortable but stepping stones have been hard to find where I live. I really don’t know what to do with the spot. It’s dark and humid and the house is a rental.

A wall garden would be pretty !

@fm, do you have any pics or details of wall gardens?

I have a tiny downtown patio with brick walls and floor, reminds me of your place but a lot smaller. What you have to do is break up the look of so much brick by adding greenery. I like the area rug on the ground, that’s a start. Now you can purchase plant hangers to attach to the walls. They usually need one or two screws which you can screw into the mortar. Add plenty of colorful flowers and hanging ivy that trail down. The more greenery on the walls and floor, the better the look. You can always take the planters with you when you move.

@oreet, wow! Your patio looks beautiful. Are those artificial plants? If not, are they hard to upkeep? I definitely do not have a green thumb. Thanks for the great ideas.

They are real. I add Miracle-Grow pellets to the soil when I first plant them and then simply water them twice a week. I suppose you can mix in some artificial foliage within the real ones, but the real plants are so much nicer. Get help from the people who work at the garden Center, they will advise which plants to purchase for your sun or shade locations.