It's your home, you can do what you want. It's hard to get an idea of your space, might be helpful to post a pic from the street to see the whole area you have to work with. I like your idea of adding planter boxes for privacy, I'd probably place them closer to your patio area to create a separate space, maybe add patio tiles (I know Ikea makes them) to help define the space.

PS: cute pooch!!

Thanks Paula ! I know she’s a cute dog:)) patio tiles sound interesting I’ll look into them ! I don’t have a lot of photos from the “street“ and its basically just a graveled alley way ! But here’s an shot before I purchased the rug.

It’s a pretty large space

Hi. Where are you wanting to put the planters exactly? I love the minimal ocean view but at least you have one, right? Like your beastie! What a life, eh? Could you possibly post a pic of the patio area from the alleyway including both driveways? I’ll assume they’re both yours. Thanks!

I think the patio tiles will make a big difference!! Definitely check them out. Once you add some flowers, colored pillows, etc. you'll have a great little outdoor oasis!

Hi @unwantedadvice, i don’t have Any good photos right now but here are some screen shots of a video I took when I first moved in. Do you think the planters will look good lined up where the garden starts? or better up against the alley gravel ?

If grasses or bamboo weren’t too high, they would be perfect in your planters.

IMO, if you put the planters along the alleyway to block it, you’re going to also block your peek-a-boo ocean view. That’s technically where they need to be but...it all depends on what you’re willing to sacrifice, view or privacy. You can, of course, put them across the other patio as it doesn’t seem to have the same view. Then you could add two, let’s say, larger round pots and put some kind of palm-type plant that would grow more straight up than spread. Place them on each side of the view so as not to block it. I can find pix, too. And let me study your other pix, too. Thanks for adding them.

Btw, I’ll also assume you need to park on one of the driveways?

You need an outdoor "garbage can" closet to hide the trash and recyclable items from view and, perhaps, another outdoor closet for items that will be only for patio use that you may not want to leave out all the time.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Common-5-ft-x-2-ft-Actual-Interior-Dimensions-4-1-ft-x-2-38-ft-Craftsman-Resin-Shed-Storage-Shed/1002624098 

Carefully placed portable fences or privacy screens could prove useful.

https://www.google.com/search?q=portable+fences+and+screens+for+patio&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi46O30qJ_wAhVEGFkFHdyxDUwQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=626

Planter with a trellis -- or a few of them that could create a corner and divide driveway from patio and divide your patio from adjoining neighbor's space -- could help with privacy issues and add some "green" to your space.

https://www.google.com/search?q=planters+with+trellis+for+privacy&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLpPrsqZ_wAhWmMVkFHdC6D1YQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=626

An outdoor storage bench could help as both storage and divider.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/50-gallon-patio-bench-and-deck-box?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrojSuaqf8AIVuwWICR1lUgytEAQYAyABEgII5PD_BwE

It looks like a very large space. You should be able to do a lot of things with it.

@unwantedadvice yes I’ll be parking on the side without the view

@suzebell thank you for all the links !! It blows my mind how simple planters are much more expensive that the benches /dividers etc lol !!

I would absolutely take advantage of an outdoor space with an ocean view! Place the planters just inside the gravel path to create a “curb” which will better define your space as an outdoor “room” and make it seem less a part of the alley. Keep the plantings low and colorful. Remember that full sun, shallow containers and the reflection of heat off the stucco and cement will make things dry out quickly. Think about getting colorful desert type plants. Also, you need a splash of color on your neutral furniture so how about some throw pillows to complement your outdoor area rug? What a fun project!

Thanks for all the lovely suggestions everyone ! I’m excited to receive the planters and plan out some pretty arrangements. Just got home and was able to take photos straight on. Might put a privacy screen in between the patio and other driveway ... just to keep the doggie from running away lol .

Now that I see your space from this angle, I would put the planters behind the line where the planting area begins to form that room-defining barrier/curb, leaving some space at the far end near the staircase as a pass through. Can the shed be pushed back farther toward the house and switch it with the bbq?

@lkloes thank you. I can def move the storage back and the grill forward. I also need to hide those ugly trash bins. I love the idea of colorful pillows but I’m terrible at matching things hahaha any suggestions welcome

For inexpensive outdoor pillows, go to Home Depot, Lowe’s or Home Goods. Take a picture of your outdoor rug with you.

Thanks for the better pix. Yes, put the storage shed back to where it was in the one screenshot you posted. As far as the planter boxes go, put one each in the corners of the patio/alleyway but at an angle to leave the actual corners intact. That way when you swing in to park, you won’t hit them. Well maybe, depending on how well you drive. 😳 (A little humor there!) And then one on each side of the patio boundary but up towards the seating.

I like the rug as it brightens up the patio furniture. Throw pillows are easy, take a pic like Ikloes mentioned and stick with a solid color, you’ll be fine.

I’ll look for something for the garbage bins.

Here’s something relatively inexpensive from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zippity-Outdoor-Products-ZP19008-Unassembled/dp/B018JYCBWI

Not sure where you live but it gives you an idea. The manufacturer has a shop on Amazon too.

Maybe do another rug extending your private space to the planters

I'd be negotiating with the neighbor across the alley to remove the CLF that is ruining your ocean view and probably lowering his property value. I would put tall planters that hide the view into my patio from the alley's passersby, but leave a gap and add some kind of trellis/arch over the section that allows you to have a glimpse of the ocean.

@acbecerra, how’s the patio going? Receive the planter boxes yet?

How about some nice greenery by your sofa and putting some solar lights out for a nice evening ambiance

A nice water feature would be relaxing and help with any cars that might travel the alley

@Lablover/Tina i love love the solar light idea !!! My landlord had some ugly floodlights that would turn on with motion and I had to disconnect them. The Amber is really nice though and soft !

@unwantedadvice hi! I get my planters on Monday :) i did switch the storage and grill location and hid the trash cans ! So excited for the planters to arrive. :))

@unwantedadvice see below !

acbecerra, I don’t see anything! 😩

Wow, it looks fab!! You’ve got the vino, the book, the sunset, what more could you want? Oh yeah, solar lights! Can you still park on the stairway side? It’s just lovely. 😀

@unwantedadvice yes my car is parked in the driveway just on the other side of the succulents :)

@acbecerra Really nice job, great & creative use use of space! Looks like a lovely & inviting space to sit & gaze at the horizon. Enjoy your summer!