Backyard/Patio Paving ideas

[DarkManX]

Hi all,

I recently moved into a new house in the city which has some outdoor space. I am trying to figure out how to make good use of the rest of the unpaved space so that I can put down a fairly small table and chairs and use the space for entertaining/grilling.

the yard is 14 feet wide. There is 7 feet that is already paved and the rest 10 feet is not. Any ideas for a DIY project?

http://imgur.com/a/FpfjI

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Just depends on the amount of work and look you want. Whatever you go with, don't forget proper base prep, a layer of pea stone and sand.

 

[NutBucket]

What do you want to do? I'd want a combo of lawn and patio. You said the yard is 14ft wide. What's the depth?

 

[DarkManX]

I want more solid surface for a table/chairs. I dont know the depth... I can dig it up a little.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I think a short wall on the right side with the slope, would be a good idea. You could even make it wide enough to create a bench that could be used for seating, or a planter for flowers.

For the yard, brick pavers would look nice, and it's such a small area, it shouldn't be too expensive. Just some work. I don't think you could bring it up quite to the level of the existing patio, but you should be able to eliminate the concrete step. You'd then need to cut down the door in the fence. That area is so tiny, I don't think I'd bother with grass.

 

[NutBucket]

LOL. Yeah, that yard is so tiny it might as well be a balcony. I like the wall idea. Brick is nice but kinda pricey compared to concrete pavers. I'd say go with whatever material matches your house best.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

The grading of your yard is really strange. It would look much better if you can bring the whole area up to eliminate that small step off the patio like Carson Dyle suggested. Though you probably can't cut the fence door -- there needs to be a step either before or after the fence to meet the grade behind your property line.

 

[Carson Dyle]

The grading of your yard is really strange. It would look much better if you can bring the whole area up to eliminate that small step off the patio like Carson Dyle suggested. Though you probably can't cut the fence door -- there needs to be a step either before or after the fence to meet the grade behind your property line.

Yeah, I hadn't really thought about that. He could put in a step up from the alley. Might require a very low wall of something like 4-8" the whole way across the back and the raising of the back fence, which shouldn't be too hard. Or, slope the yard away from the patio. Hard to tell if that's feasible from the photo.

Another possibility, if brick or concrete isn't desirable, would be to do the whole back yard as a wooden deck.