I need to see a to scale plan of the space. Right now IMO a deck would be nicer than a concrete patio. How old are the kids? Do you also want entertaining space/ I need more info too.

7 and 10 years old. I measured and came up with the following numbers.

It will be very difficult (impossible) to help you with the information provided so far. I can see an inset portion of the house, and a curved outer limit to the patio, and a fence. But I can't identify what is what in the plan.

The pictures are taken from all different points of view, but with none of them showing the complete scene. Usually, with the back yard, one needs the complete outward and inward facing views. That's two separate camera points-of-view. At each one, the scene needs to pan from far left to far right. In the outward facing view, one would stand at the back center of the house and take a series of left-to-right slightly overlapping pictures that pan widely enough that the house shows in the first and last picture.

For the inward facing (toward the house) view, one would stand at the center of the back fence and take a series of slightly overlapping pictures that pan widely enough to capture ALL of the side lot line, house, and opposite side lot line.

If one's camera has a panoramic feature, that could be used to capture these two views.

Per Patricia's comment, I can't see how a deck (if meaning a raised deck) is possible as the threshold height is barely above the concrete patio.

If the desire is to extend the house living space to the outside, a floor will be necessary. Is the complaint about the concrete that there is too much of it, or that its appearance is mediocre?

The last photo above shows the actually yard from my balcony. Top-view. Will that help. I have another plan that i got done from the designer many years ago and still want some improvement to it but do not want to spend more than 15,000 on the backyard. Also at the time i was ok with succulents but i think i would like more flowers and vegetables instead. How can this be redesigned?

Yes, i really don't like the cold look of concrete.

Yet notice that the pavement is where you have your furniture etc. placed. And the lawn got gophers in it - what would you replace the pavement with that would be a more practical surface for outdoor living? And how would you demolish the patio and replace it with something else for 15 thousand or less? Some years ago it would have cost me more than twice that to have a contractor remove my comparably sized concrete patio and replace it with concrete paving stones. And this was up here in the Seattle area, and not in even more expensive California.

Otherwise growing different kinds of plants in your back yard can be accomplished merely by making some additions or changes to the composition of the existing border.

I already spoke with a contractor/demolisher who is ready to demolish the concrete for $2500. I like a modern spanish look with talavera tiles here and there.

And the replacement cost?

true. But i would only add part of it back, not the whoe thing. Maybe increasing budget to $20,000.

At that budget you will have to keep the concrete and look at staining it at a minimum. Outdoor area rugs under seating areas will take the ‘bite’ out of that concrete. Then focus on saving more $ for next phases which should include hiring a landscape architect that can address all your concerns and meet all your goals. It will be money well spent especially if this is your forever home.

Maybe i did not ask my question correctly. I had a plan to get part of the concrete out. I don't mind keeping some concrete like a passage from my backdoor to the side yard. Problem is after demolishing part of concrete, the look will be rough. How do I smoothen that look out. If i put in new concrete it might look very patchy (mix of old and new concrete). So trying to get some ideas.

If you've already been talking to local service providers - particularly ones that have seen your patio area in person - ask them what they think is feasible.

Do you have any pictures of what sort of play structure you envision, especially one that might appeal to a 10-year-old? Before going to the expense of tearing out anything, why not “stage” the existing patio to see how it might work for you and what space you might have left to work with for a children’s area. Move the heater from the front of the window to the wall on the right and set up a conversation area with the upholstered chairs facing each other with a “coffee table” between them and the small “side table” on the left. Add the pair of slider chairs to the side of the arrangement facing the coffee table as if all of the pieces were on or touching a large area rug. (Excellent suggestion by previous commentator.) Move the black nursery pots and plants to rim the curve as if you’d planted them in the ground to give you an idea of what they or some larger shrubs might look like in defining an outdoor room. Remove the hoses, umbrella base and all other extraneous items. Then take some photos of the cleaned-up patio and also try the new conversation area by yourself or with your family and a bowl of snacks and a pitcher of lemonade. Good luck.

You need to clean up.

It doesn't make any sense to tear out the concrete, which looks to be in good condition and is placed to be functional. Your budget won't cover new tile for enough area to be usable, and still landscape the yard. Are you new to CA? Do you have a HOA? The only place you have room for play equipment is where your blue table/chairs are, but it would need to be something low. How old are your kids? I would focus on removing all the overgrown plants like the hedge near your covered patio, and anything tall along your fence where you have a view. Set up the concrete areas for a table/chairs and also casual seating. Put your vegetables in large pots which is easier to keep from the rabbits and squirrels.

Sorry, usually the patio is clean, but due to 6 kids (had my sisters over) playing there for the last two weeks they have moved everything and i haven't had a chance to clean up.

Like the ideas though. I was expecting some photos of similar small to mid size yards with canyon views to give an idea of plants that might look good etc. As for playstructure, i agree my 10 year old is a little bit older for it but my 7 year old might get use from it.

I really don’t think I’d tear up my patio for a play structure. realistically, how much longer are a 7&10 year old going to play on a backyard swing set? And you wouldn’t gain all that much space by tearing it out.

Your concrete does not look bad, and you could definitely improve it without tearing it out. Look into getting it tiled.

You’ve already stated grass is difficult to grow. Flowers and vegetables will invite even more gophers, snails and mice into your yard.

And patios are the perfect place for entertaining.

Its just that there is nothing fun to do right now in the backyard. So kids hardly go there. To find fun things to do they mess up the furniture, etc as you can see:)

It must feel like you're not getting much help here, probably because your yard is quite small and your wishlist rather long. I don't think your backyard will ever be a fun space with a play structure, etc. unless you tear everything out and turn it into a playground. Realistically, even if you did that, your kids will outgrow it in a couple of years and you'll be stuck with an unattractive, deteriorating, view-blocking structure that no one uses.

My suggestion is to embrace what you have and try to make it better, even if only for the adults. Think cozy courtyard, or intimate patio. With that view it could be fabulous. A few thoughts in no particular order . . .

• tear out the shrubs that block the view
• tear out the lawn
• replace the lawn with raised beds for vegetables and flowers, or
• replace the lawn with attractive, low-growing, drought tolerant plants
• plant a couple of patio-size trees that can be limbed up to preserve the view
• install a drip system
• look into staining the concrete patio
• divide the space into zones -- dining, socializing, quiet space and provide furniture for each
• add a table and chairs that can be used for dining, games, work, etc.
• if you go the veggie route, figure out where your tools and supplies will go
• figure out how to provide shade -- umbrellas, shade cloths, awnings, pergola, etc.
• figure out lighting so the space is useable more hours each day
• invest in several beautiful large pots; use them to help define zones; fill them with shrubs, small trees, etc.
• put speakers outside so you can listen to music
• go to open houses in your area and spy on what your neighbors have done in their yards
• HOW ABOUT A HOT TUB? The kids will love it! =)

Oh, I think I just spent your $20k. Good luck with your project.

You need to delete everything from your backyard. It doesnt matter what age your kids are, you need to provide an outdoor area that is for them. Your entire backyard screams “adult with nothing to do.” Thats usually what the house is about sadly. I saw nothing for kids. Boring grown up lazy chairs, more chairs, more boring grown up pots and plants. It looks like a 10 year conglomeration of impulse home depot buys. Youre right to think get rid of everything. Install some sod, buy a playhouse and buy a wooden swingset. Trumps giving so much money to people —everyone should be enriching their childrens lives. I saw that some people were saying “the kids will outgrow this...” who cares? We buy things for the now for our kids. Your kids need fun now. Sod, playset, playhouse. Dont force your kids to grow up. What do we want them to grow up for? So they can face the sadness of covid and all the other burdens of the world. Let them be kids :)

“Trumps giving so much money to people —everyone should be enriching their childrens lives.”

Really, lol!

shoemaker - your'e funny. you are joking, right?...right? dear lord I hope you are.

"The last photo above shows the actually yard from my balcony." I think the existing patio is not shown then. Can you add it to the yard?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions

Here are few tips to brighten up your space-

1. You can create a garden bed by removing concrete.
2. Apply mulch and create attractive landscaping border.
3. Reserve one corner to create a small water feature.
4. Plant flowers and shrubs near the fence.
5. Install attractive landscape lighting.
6. For more landscaping ideas, read a complete landscaping guide.

For 7 and 10 year olds, building a play space would be a complete waste of money. If you have a table outdoors, the kids can use it for cool science projects, artwork, and board games. Also hula hoops, jump ropes, chalk art, or whatever else the kids want to do that is more physical. Most people in CA with small yards like this take their kids to the park play structures. You can get ideas for low plants along your fence to maintain your view from a good local nursery, but succulents can be great. Put your focus on making the areas around the concrete attractive.

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