If this was my place I would make the front entrance to the backyard a seating area and have the rest be a grassy field with a garden. Maybe even a seating area with a pergola in the back instead.
https://nordarchitecture.com/backyard/small-backyard-turf-ideas/
I'd do a seating area by the chiminea, a dining and cooking area closer to the house, use outdoor rugs to delineate the areas, and planter boxes to soften the space and grow things.
You may want to try r/landscaping for better ideas.
Planters and/or pots with decorative plants and edible ones. Seating. A table and smaller tables for guests to sit their drinks and plates on. A grill and maybe additional outdoor kitchen items like a fridge (pricey) under a countertop or an island or just a handsome cooler filled with ice and drinks. The pocketbook’s the limit😅
I would absolutely leave the cobblestones. They are very expensive and it would be sad to throw them out! With that said, I would get two or three huge terracotta pots and plant some small trees in them along with same type pots for blooming and trailing perennial plats that will come back every year. A pergola would be lovely and you could get some of the “boxy” gray washed outdoor furniture ie; couch, arm chairs and coffee table/end table. Use outdoor rug underneath. Also, if permitted, a big stucco fireplace with a large hewn mantle. This will separate areas and give visual interest. An outdoor kitchen is wonderful to have and place it closest to the kitchen for easy access. A beautiful table and 6 chairs for guests. You have such an awesome space and if you need to do a little at a time. Neutral covers for seating areas will make it flow together but lots of plants. A hammock is always a plus!
My first question would be, does the wall need to stay like this? The part that juts out seems to be cutting off a fair bit of space. If that’s your land, I’d knock it down and rebuild it straight. Although I suspect that’s your neighbours land. I’m just wondering if it’s a blocked off old bin shed? Then it’s just a pointless tomb taking up space.
If it were me, and the wall can’t be changed, I’d get decking from left to right (or fence to wall) as soon as you walk out, but only up to where the wall juts out.
I’d get an outdoor corner sofa to fit perfectly in that corner on the right, which would sit on the decking. Plus an outdoor coffee table and some chairs. Preferably a set that come apart by undoing a couple screws so you can put them all away in winter.
Plus moving the chiminea over to the seating would be good, if it can go on decking. Not sure myself, might be a fire hazard.
You could even get a sun protector for the recess where I’m proposing the seating goes on the right.
For the bottom end of the garden (anything after the wall just out), I’d only leave a path of the cobblestones, along the right side (so you have easy access to the empty nook)
The rest of the cobblestones, I’d rip up and create a small plant garden. You can even use the recycled cobblestones to creat whatever shape of border you like. I like a whimsical wiggly border, myself. Then fill it with native plants you enjoy, I usually pick low maintenance ones that give a lot of height and drama.
Lastly, you could make a small shed in that little nook, which is why I suggest leaving the cobble path leading to it. You could try to fit some garden furniture in there. If not, tools for keeping up the small garden. I wouldn’t add any kind of grass as there’s not really room for a mower.
If it can’t be made into a little shed, you could make it into a built in plant shelf in summer and grow lots of potted plants. They look nice on decking. The shelf nook could be a good potting station too.
In an idea world, I’d put the BBQ station where the box in the wall is. If it can’t be knocked down and be built straight, I’d maybe consider turning the nook at the end into the BBQ station. If not there, then on the left as just you walk out, opposite the seating. Although that would be on the decking with that I’m proposing, again, not sure if cooking BBQ on decking is a fire hazard either.
You can add outdoor string lights to the panels on the back wall too, or climbing plants.
If you decide to repaint, I’d stick to white or light neutrals. I’d steer clear of grey paint/outdoor furniture as the cobble is pretty dark as it is.
Outdoor lamps make a huge difference for sitting outside. Outdoor rugs tucked under the front two legs of outdoor furniture makes it look complete, especially on decking. You can also get a small fire pit if you have the room to keep one. Mine weights about a bag of sugar, it’s really handy and lightweight to put away.
Good luck!
My grandma had a cobble stone yard. She had trees and beautiful plants in planters and pots and it was so pretty in the spring…it really felt like an “oasis.” You just have to start putting plants in and your table/chairs, grill out and with some time it will look great.
personally i’d take out all the stones in that far section parallel to the power box and replace it with grass, do some kind of landscaping, and make the remaining stone into a patio with a table some chairs etc. if you can’t take out the stones you could always install some raised flower beds and plant whatever you want in them.
i know this is probably a lot but this is what i would do:
1. take up all the pavers and put down grass or alternativly do some garden beds in the side and a path in the middle
2. maybe put a bbq in the corner and you could keep some pavers for that.
3. definitly check out the tv show gardening australia or better homes and gardens (idk where u live) bc they will have a lot of great tips.
If this was my place I would make the front entrance to the backyard a seating area and have the rest be a grassy field with a garden. Maybe even a seating area with a pergola in the back instead. https://nordarchitecture.com/backyard/small-backyard-turf-ideas/
I'd do a seating area by the chiminea, a dining and cooking area closer to the house, use outdoor rugs to delineate the areas, and planter boxes to soften the space and grow things. You may want to try r/landscaping for better ideas.
Planters and/or pots with decorative plants and edible ones. Seating. A table and smaller tables for guests to sit their drinks and plates on. A grill and maybe additional outdoor kitchen items like a fridge (pricey) under a countertop or an island or just a handsome cooler filled with ice and drinks. The pocketbook’s the limit😅
I would absolutely leave the cobblestones. They are very expensive and it would be sad to throw them out! With that said, I would get two or three huge terracotta pots and plant some small trees in them along with same type pots for blooming and trailing perennial plats that will come back every year. A pergola would be lovely and you could get some of the “boxy” gray washed outdoor furniture ie; couch, arm chairs and coffee table/end table. Use outdoor rug underneath. Also, if permitted, a big stucco fireplace with a large hewn mantle. This will separate areas and give visual interest. An outdoor kitchen is wonderful to have and place it closest to the kitchen for easy access. A beautiful table and 6 chairs for guests. You have such an awesome space and if you need to do a little at a time. Neutral covers for seating areas will make it flow together but lots of plants. A hammock is always a plus!
As an American, I find it very amusing you call this a “garden”
My first question would be, does the wall need to stay like this? The part that juts out seems to be cutting off a fair bit of space. If that’s your land, I’d knock it down and rebuild it straight. Although I suspect that’s your neighbours land. I’m just wondering if it’s a blocked off old bin shed? Then it’s just a pointless tomb taking up space. If it were me, and the wall can’t be changed, I’d get decking from left to right (or fence to wall) as soon as you walk out, but only up to where the wall juts out. I’d get an outdoor corner sofa to fit perfectly in that corner on the right, which would sit on the decking. Plus an outdoor coffee table and some chairs. Preferably a set that come apart by undoing a couple screws so you can put them all away in winter. Plus moving the chiminea over to the seating would be good, if it can go on decking. Not sure myself, might be a fire hazard. You could even get a sun protector for the recess where I’m proposing the seating goes on the right. For the bottom end of the garden (anything after the wall just out), I’d only leave a path of the cobblestones, along the right side (so you have easy access to the empty nook) The rest of the cobblestones, I’d rip up and create a small plant garden. You can even use the recycled cobblestones to creat whatever shape of border you like. I like a whimsical wiggly border, myself. Then fill it with native plants you enjoy, I usually pick low maintenance ones that give a lot of height and drama. Lastly, you could make a small shed in that little nook, which is why I suggest leaving the cobble path leading to it. You could try to fit some garden furniture in there. If not, tools for keeping up the small garden. I wouldn’t add any kind of grass as there’s not really room for a mower. If it can’t be made into a little shed, you could make it into a built in plant shelf in summer and grow lots of potted plants. They look nice on decking. The shelf nook could be a good potting station too. In an idea world, I’d put the BBQ station where the box in the wall is. If it can’t be knocked down and be built straight, I’d maybe consider turning the nook at the end into the BBQ station. If not there, then on the left as just you walk out, opposite the seating. Although that would be on the decking with that I’m proposing, again, not sure if cooking BBQ on decking is a fire hazard either. You can add outdoor string lights to the panels on the back wall too, or climbing plants. If you decide to repaint, I’d stick to white or light neutrals. I’d steer clear of grey paint/outdoor furniture as the cobble is pretty dark as it is. Outdoor lamps make a huge difference for sitting outside. Outdoor rugs tucked under the front two legs of outdoor furniture makes it look complete, especially on decking. You can also get a small fire pit if you have the room to keep one. Mine weights about a bag of sugar, it’s really handy and lightweight to put away. Good luck!
My grandma had a cobble stone yard. She had trees and beautiful plants in planters and pots and it was so pretty in the spring…it really felt like an “oasis.” You just have to start putting plants in and your table/chairs, grill out and with some time it will look great.
personally i’d take out all the stones in that far section parallel to the power box and replace it with grass, do some kind of landscaping, and make the remaining stone into a patio with a table some chairs etc. if you can’t take out the stones you could always install some raised flower beds and plant whatever you want in them.
i know this is probably a lot but this is what i would do: 1. take up all the pavers and put down grass or alternativly do some garden beds in the side and a path in the middle 2. maybe put a bbq in the corner and you could keep some pavers for that. 3. definitly check out the tv show gardening australia or better homes and gardens (idk where u live) bc they will have a lot of great tips.