When we first moved into our house, the backyard was typical of new construction: an empty stretch of barren land. There were no trees, no shrubs, no established beds—only weeds and rocks. After living in older homes with mature landscaping, this spare space felt especially disappointing. I enjoy designing small garden areas, but the rocky soil made planting difficult. Every attempt to add greenery turned into a big project. Knowing a full professional landscape makeover wasn’t an option, I decided to focus on small, achievable improvements each year.
The yard started without any structure, so last year we concentrated on creating shape, interest, and function. We installed a pea gravel patio for the fire pit, laid a flagstone walkway, and marked out several planting areas.
By dividing the backyard into four zones, we made the most of the available space and could more clearly imagine it becoming a charming, useful outdoor area. The zones gave us focus and helped prioritize improvements. This summer we planned to lay a flagstone patio for the dining table and to add more plants and a few trees to build toward a fuller, lived-in landscape.
It will take years for the yard to reach the lush, mature look I envision, but working on smaller areas helps me feel like we’re making steady progress. Big-picture projects can be overwhelming, so completing one focused corner at a time is both encouraging and motivating. One challenge I face with home and garden projects is staying focused. I tend to dabble in many things at once, but concentrated effort in a single area can quickly transform an uninspiring spot into something delightful. I’ve been trying to stick with one project until it feels finished before moving on to the next.
This little corner has been a work in progress for a while, but recently I tackled a spring cleanup, planted a few pots, and arranged a folding Trex Adirondack chair and matching end table near a recycled spool table. The all-weather furniture is low maintenance and well suited to our Northwest climate. I’ve long admired Adirondack chairs and this style is both practical and charming for outdoor lounging.
Seeing the “before” photo of this spot and comparing it to today’s small improvements makes us eager to keep enhancing each corner of the yard year by year. Even modest changes—a bit of landscaping, some pretty pots, a few plants, and attractive furniture—can make a big difference.
Do you have a sad backyard corner you could refresh this spring?
The post was created in partnership with Trex. As always, my opinions are my own.