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Small side yard advice

5 years ago

Hi All, I am looking for suggestions to improve my side yard. Please see attached pic.
suggestions to improve:
_ fence
_ make it more interesting and inviting

Please suggest. Thanks for your help

Featured Answer

siriuskey

5 years ago

You could consider a bench seat along the wall which would give more space around the table

Comments (15)

kazzh
5 years ago
Try some wall art or vertical planting on your fence to beak up the long space.
bigreader
5 years ago
Plants plants and more plants. A lovely base to work from.
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well done to your husband for such a detailed plan... i suggest that you focus on the clothesline level by removing or demolishing the pond or simply filling with rubble and soil to make a raised garden or seat, long term plan to level the area shown as "stones" to make a fenced lawn with access from the deck but any change in level of more than 1m needs a fence so you should fence off the garden with gates across the steps on both sides...a treated pine log fence with chicken wire mesh to prevent any footholds for climbing would probably be the cheapest and consider enclosing a space under the deck over the raised floor to create a storage area for the ladder, gas bottles, mower etc...the walls could come out as far as the round steel post (if it can't be removed safely) and broken bricks could fill in the pond, try moving the clothesline over to the pond lawn to make a more open lawned area on the other side and paint everything except the house brick walls with a very dark paint to tone with the bricks.. consult the local nursery for suitable shrubs to screen the neighbours and unless you're a keen gardener convert all the small gardens beds into lawn or paving
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KK1000
5 years ago
Apart from more taller plants I think more comfortable chairs with cushions and armrest would make it more inviting. Addition of large outdoor umbrella would make it useful in all weather.
julie herbert
5 years ago
Hi Nurali,
What a terrific space you have, as big reader suggested plants, plants and more plants, to create a lush inviting area, a simple structure that you could add some gorgeous lighting, or a small umbrella as suggested could look great for all year round use.
siriuskey
5 years ago
love that third photo Julie I was going to try and do one of my not so wonderful sketches, that simple pergola would allow for some extra screening above the fence between the posts to block out the neighbours house
julie herbert
5 years ago
I love your sketches siriuskey, hope you do one.
cloudpants
5 years ago
Agree it is a great space already (love the colour of your house) which is ripe for some greenery in the form of a vertical garden. The bench seat is a brilliant idea. An outdoor mat might also be nice...
georgi02
5 years ago
You've made a great start. I'd think about spray painting your security screens white and having all of your pots in one colour so that you've got a unified colour pallet (it helps bring a space together) then having climbers along your timber fence as they don't take up a huge amount of room in the ground/pot. I'd then bring in colour with plants and add colourful cushions on your seating. Remember too that green can be treated as a neutral colour, but with your white, gray and brown colours that are in the space already, keeping plants to pure green can be stunning.

You could also think about a vertical garden on the fence (keep in mind you will want to have an automated watering system for them - that can go on a couple of times a day in hot weather to be as successful as possible).

https://www.rivasdesign.com.au/ have great outdoor mirrors that might help you to expand the space.

Whatever way you go, think about layered planting - tall to the back, mid and low height plants at the front. This will help you make the space feel a bit bigger.
Gallifrey
5 years ago
Don't over do it. It looks great now, so just add a few plants but not too many, as you will be forever maintaining them. Less is more!
Margaret Barkley
5 years ago
A sun umbrella will make the space more useable. More plants will soften the space - maybe Chinese star jasmine in very big pots with wires fixed on the fence to train the creeper. This will give a lovely green outlook from inside the house too instead of just looking at the fence.
rwalton5
5 years ago
Good opportunity. One caution I guess you've thought about already: consider your neighbour's well-being and consult with them if possible. Attractive greenery showing above the fence will enhance their outlook. But intrusive vines and branches and roots and water run off won't be good for them.
Tilly
5 years ago
Think you have done a beautiful job so far, liking the minimal design, just needs a little bit of tweaking.
I would paint the timber fence dark or black like your existing walls, sort of wraps it and allows for the timber to stand out.
Think your table is too centred.
I would then move the chairs against the fence, add an outdoor rug for colour as the rug can be left in the elements and hosed etc.
Then plants can be added to give extra colour and height.
If the budget allows I would actually invest in a longer table as in double the length, this would allow for maybe two long benches against the fence.
Nurali Prasla
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi Everyone, finally started looking at this project again. Would appriciate your advice.
I am thinking at putting 3 screens on fence plus 2 planter on the side (see picture).
Would love your advice about my plan plus
1. Do I paint the planter boxes in white or any other colour?
2. Which plants to use in planters. I am thinking of 2 plants each - Golden Cane Palms.
  Any other suggestions are welcome.
  please see attached images.
Nurali Prasla
Original Author
5 years ago
images attached

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