What to do with yard space?

last year

Hi everyone

we have a yard space at the back of our garden, which previous owners created as an option to park a car. We don’t have any current use for it, so looking to bring it more into the rest of the garden. the yard space is divided by a trellis from the rest of the garden. We have a shed we need to keep for storage.

I’m keen to integrate this yard space with the rest if the garden, but keep the block paving. The garden is south facing, so gets a decent amount of light.

thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Jonathan
last year
At the moment the trellis and shed divide the garden and the brick paved area is utilitarian being originally planned as parking.
If it were my garden I would move the shed and trellis so that the brick paved area better connects with the garden seen from the house. I would use the trellis to hide the bins, do a bit if maintenance such as refreshing the peeling paint and pressure washing the brick- then I would buy a seating set to give the area purpose and either big pot or remove some of the bricks so that you can have some tall planting on the border of the paving in order to soften the area
rachelmidlands
last year
As Jonathan says removing the trellis and moving the shed will help to open up the barrier between the grass and block paving. Looks like you have a large climbing plant on the trellis, do you know what it is? Are you happy for it to go? Personally I’d remove a small section of the block paving to create a planting area and further connect both areas of the garden. Move the shed back towards the rear but leave enough room around it for maintenance or painting if you wish to. Did a little sketch (see photo), not to scale or anything so feel free to jig things around. I thought a small section of a dark slate coloured paving between the planting would be nice and give a clearer sight line to the rear paving/patio area. If you can share some more photos showing different angles of the garden I’m sure myself and others can give more ideas.
Related Discussions
What to do with a small yard?
Q
Comments (5)
How about creating a small courtyard garden? I would clear a lot of the greenery from the fences and walls, keep the ferns and add some hostas in various containers. For added visual appeal you could Han some pots of herbs and/or trailing plants on the wall facing the kitchen window, there are lots available online just search hanging plant pots. Any possibility of a small water feature and the end surrounded by the container plants. This is a lot of green but this would create quite a fresh atmosphere to this small area. If there's room add a small table and 2 chairs.
...See More
What would you do with the space? Ideas, recommendations, inspiration?
Q
Comments (9)
Hi. I’m no good at doing plans on computer I’m afraid ( I possibly could but it would take me hours) but I did do a little sketch with what I think could work. Just note that it’s not to scale and I’m not a pro, just a hobby of mine. So I’m thinking shed in top right corner then in between greenhouse and shed you could lay paving and have an area for an outdoor fireplace or bbq area. Just think it would be nice to have that area as more of a working yard, somewhere you can potter about (potting bench perhaps). Then I put a corner summerhouse in the left hand corner with path leading from it to the new patio area. The bench and slabs in the middle I would perhaps remove to open the lawn space but you could keep the trees depending on what variety they are, trees can grow very big. Otherwise I think you’ve done a great job so far:). It’s a nice size garden so plenty of possibilities. Here’s my rough sketch and some ideas for outdoor fireplace:
...See More
What would you do with this awkward utility space?
Q
Comments (12)
Shauni's suggesged plan is good and allows a view out if you glaze or part glaze each door. I would consider adding a surface mounted sliding door to the loo to make it easier to navigate the space and let more light in. Could the washer and dryer not go upstairs in the cupboards next to your bathroom? Or has this bit changed? Would give you space for a boot room next to the garden which would be a good use of this space.
...See More
what do do with this space?
Q
Comments (18)
Design rule: Never look at any small space in a room as separate to that space. Design that area into the room. The idea of bringing that area level to top level is ideal. If it cannot 'loadbear' play around with ideas to still do that, but keep weight low. Keep any addition of 'pattern' or proportions to bare minimum and connect that to the greater area. Any single item put there, eg urn will look random, we wd call them 'plonkers', put there because the designer couldnt think what to do with a space. 'Plonked' there. Remember plantpots atop manhole covers on folks' front lawns? The thing put there to cover the manhole cover up, drew your eye to a plonked item. Replace banisters with something to your taste. Do not make yr banisters a curly eye catching feature. You could clad them, or go to reclamation yard, or research banister options.
...See More
PRO
Neil Jones Design
last year
I think having a subdivide part way down the length of the garden, as the trellis provides, is no bad thing as it adds to the illusion of space by not showing the entire length of the garden from the house and provides glimpsed views to something beyond, thus encouraging intrgue!

I would as the others have suggested, relocate the shed to a less prominent area, perhaps at the very end of the garden so this paved area can become a more useable/ social space.

If you want to work with the existing block paving then perhaps jet wash them and resand if necessary. Then bring in large planters, perhaps linear ones which you can plant up to help screen the blank wall, there are lots of choices in materials but metals or hardwoods are the best for durability and strength. Metal ones have the advantage of being less bulky and available in a range of colours. You could always add trellis to the wall or even a 'living wall' to help soften it. Think about subtle lighting too and the wall is a good platform for down lights to create an attractive ambience. I could see the area being used for casual seating, dining perhaps even a fire pit for evening use? Its lots of potential and benefits from south facing so certainly make the most of this under utilised area.
Carolina
last year
last modified: last year
I agree with Neil Jones that the trellis isn't necessarily a bad thing.

If you want to make more use of the garden, but don't want too much upheaval, you could consider creating a vegetable garden using raised beds. There's loads of information available on the web. It's really easy and fun, for kids too. You can place the raised beds on top of the paving. Depending on the depth of the raised bed, you can grow a large variation of vegetables. Found some info here, but you can also search for square foot gardening https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/vegetable-garden-plans-for-beginners/
Sonia
last year
How about creating a secret garden area? Move the shed to the end of the garden, put the bins in a bin store, take up some of the paving to create planting pockets. Many plants are much happier in the ground rather than in a pot, but you could still add pots for interest, the bigger the better. Maybe a water feature in the middle. That area would also make another seating area. Here’s a few ideas:

More Discussions

Wall panelling in my living room but stove is off centre

38 x 8m Garden - Help!!!

What’s the best layout for kitchen/diner/family space

i need to decide on a worktop for cashmere gloss kitchen help please

How to layout living room with windows on both sides?

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience using cookies

By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. Learn more.

What to do with yard space?

Comments (5)

Jonathan

rachelmidlands

Related Discussions

Neil Jones Design

Carolina

Sonia