Back yard ideas
In September my back yard is getting a new surface (Indian sandstone). The landscapers will be leaving a planting pocket (currently along the left side looking from the kitchen window), and providing a planting plan. The gardener who came out to quote recommended Virginia creeper for the tallest blank wall. Otherwise I'd like plants that look good all year round, and a less formal, more 'secret garden' feel. I like the idea of trees, and edibles. I get very little sun, the garden is East facing. The sun shines on the big side wall nearest the house in the morning, and has moved down to the corner near the gate by early afternoon.
I use the space as a workshop for DIY (hence the temporary rain-proof gazebo and bka J and decker workmate). We also have three bikes, which fit in the shed if nothing else is in there but currently it's full of DIY stuff.
I'd like a sitting area for two people, a small table, and a space for a barbecue. It doesnt have to be a permanent fixture.
I also have to accommodate a wheelie bin, log store and litter box.
I'd quite like to create a mini deck outside the shed, and put a little roof on it. Mostly for aesthetic purposes but also to shelter the logs, and maybe the wheelie bin, plus a seed propagating area.
Oh and I've also toyed with a see-through corrugated plastic roof above the kitchen window, stretching as far as the end of the utility window, as a smoking shelter (not me) and rainproof workshop area. But I don't want it to block what little sun I get, or spoil the view from the kitchen window.
I'm in Newcastle so winter lasts for around nine months :-(.
I'd love ideas for layout, plants and ways I can make this area do everything. Also I've seen conversations in here about colour/ patterns to use for stone patios. Not sure what pattern would be best for mine.
Oh and I quite fancy a hanging macrame chair thing. There's an inspo pic below of one of these outside a shed which is what I'm aiming for.
Comments (109)
Sam Potter
4 years ago
Sonia
4 years agoRelated Discussions
kitchen splash back ideas
Comments (3)If you did do tiles - which would look great - say chevron style if you like these - and do a darker grout - behind the cooker does get splattered, so the darker grout would not show - the tile area needs to cover right up to the top of the kitchen cupboards and round the cooker hood. It is strange how years ago everyone stuck a piece of stainless steel there - they are a nightmare to clean, and admittedly look out of place....See Morecontainer patio back yard
Comments (7)Most of my plants are impulse buys! Lovely brick wall. Do you get much sun there? If you do, try a Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum) it has a wonderful fragrance in summer and it is evergreen. Not too vigourous either. It will need something to scramble up like a piece of trellis or wires. Will do well in a largish pot. I think plants that have a long flowering period would be good too like hardy Geraniums, Crocosmia. The grass Miscanthus zebrina does well in a pot. It’s not evergreen but the wheat coloured winter stems are lovely, just cut back in March. Do you like roses? They do well in pots but they must be deep ones to accommodate the roots. Some species grow well in shade so worth checking out the RHS website for ones that do. STAR JASMINE ROSE MISCANTHUS ZEBRINA CROCOSMIA (ORANGE) WITH BLUE HARDY GERANIUM ROZANNE...See MoreAny ideas how to "beautify" scarred brick wall in the back house
Comments (0)Would love your opinions and advice on how to make the back wall that seen better days look better. We are gojng to remove old pipes and brick up the window but it won't look very nice plus old "scars" from old remodelling are seen anyway. I was considering cladding and maybe to cover the side and front of the extension as well (the patio doors will be replaced with aluminium grey bifold doors almost double the length). Or are there any other genius ideas how to make it look good....See MoreSmall back yard
Comments (5)Consider optimizing your outdoor space by using space-saving furniture, like foldable chairs or tables that can be easily stored when not in use. You can also use vertical gardening solutions to add some greenery without taking up too much floor space. Hanging plants or wall-mounted planters can be a stylish addition. If you're open to some renovation, you could explore options like adding built-in seating or installing a compact outdoor bench along a wall. These ideas can help maximize your seating while keeping the space organized and functional. Also, I recently came across some offers for various furniture options for outdoor spaces; you can go there for some ideas....See MoreSam Potter
4 years agoSonia
4 years ago
Gabby Wong
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoEnd of play Friday. Only had to ask them to re do two things so far. The raised bed wasn't big enough for my water butt fishpond, and the thing I thought was a gravel drainage sump for the tap was actually a 'detail' (no, me neither) and therefore not under the tap. It's gonna look awesome though. Thanks all for your fab ideas. You are all invited to a barbecue when it's done. If it ever stops raining.
Jules Mc
4 years agoSonia
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoHi Sonia,
You all fit in my pocket so you'll have loads of room in my yard!
The water butt is getting sliced in half and it will have a pump powering a bubbly water feature, to oxygenate it. Then I'll put some water plants in it and 2-3 fish. I saw a version of this in Dobbies recently (see photo) , and was inspired to create a diy version, so I got a waterbutt off freecycle. It'll slip inside the triangular raised bed, and the top will be level with the top of the bed, so I can have land plants around it in the corners too, and it won't look like a water butt any more. Then I'll put an upcycled mirrored door or window (suggested by Jonathan I think) behind it.
Sam Potter
4 years agoGabby Wong
4 years agoSonia
4 years ago
Carolina
4 years agoSonia
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years ago
rachelmidlands
4 years ago
AMB
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoJonathan
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoIs it too picky, do you think, to ask them to redo this bit where the edges don't align across the manhole cover?
Or have they done the best that's possible with it?
Sonia
4 years agoJonathan
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoSonia
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoCarolina
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoAMB
4 years agoCarolina
4 years agoProbably the long wall? The one on the right when you come into the yard through the gate
Sam Potter
4 years agoCarolina
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoAw shucks, thanks Carolina. I feel like I'm on the downward slope and there's less to do now than has been done. Still a long list but getting there, thanks to the Houzz massive!
Sonia
4 years agoThat’s better Sam. I love your paving it looks so much like mine and so pretty when it’s wet. All those lovely planting pockets waiting for plants, the best bit. I bet you’re well chuffed!
Anthony (Beano)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoJonathan
4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoAMB
4 years agoSonia
4 years agoLooks great Sam. I bet you can’t wait for those long hot summer days! I’ve got an outdoor rug and it’s great. Made of recycled plastic bottles so very hardy. Got it from Houzz shop. By next summer the plants will be burgeoning all over the place, if that’s the right word! Here’s my rug last year:
Sam Potter
4 years ago
E D
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSam Potter
4 years agoE D
4 years agoGabby Wong
4 years agoCarolina
4 years ago
Victoria
4 years ago
Monica
4 years ago
Sam PotterOriginal Author