New here? This page is the short tour. Pick the space you have and start with the guide for it.
Every article on this site follows the same promise: real ideas for ordinary yards, a rough cost for each one, and a plain note on what it takes to do it.
Pick your space
- Backyard ideas: small backyards, makeovers on a budget, privacy, play and pet zones.
- Patio and deck: layouts, furniture, rugs, covers and pergolas.
- Front yard and curb appeal: foundation plantings, walkways, porches.
- Balcony and small spaces: apartment balconies, courtyards, renter-friendly fixes.
- Garden beds and planting: raised beds, cottage borders, containers, beginner gardens.
- Outdoor living: fire pits, lighting, outdoor dining and shade.
The three rules I use everywhere
Three heights. Something underfoot, something to sit on, something taller than you. Most unfinished-looking spaces are missing one of the three.
Follow the sun. Before buying anything, watch where the light falls at 9, 1 and 6. It decides where the seating goes and which plants survive.
Put the good thing where you can see it from inside. A fire pit or a border you see from the kitchen window gets used and cared for. One hidden behind the shed does not.
Guides for each space are added as the site grows. Save this page and check the latest ideas on the homepage.