Our DIY backyard makeover remains one of the best improvements we ever did to our cottage! We use it during the warmer months and look at it everyday, so it was a great use of our time and money. I hope the before-and-afters inspire you to tackle some outdoor projects of your own – they really do give a great return and don’t have to cost a lot.
Hi friends! I can’t believe that I’m finally able to share with you our finished DIY backyard makeover deck-to-outdoor-rooms project that we started way back in February of 2011. I suppose it’s no surprise that DIY projects can take awhile, but there is also the issue of this being an outdoor project and we’re just not going to work on it in the rain, cold, and snow, which I’m sure you’d all agree with, too.
We worked on it when time and the weather allowed, so even though it took awhile – and I’m grateful it didn’t take even longer – I’m IN LOVE with the results!
It’s everything I dreamed about as I’d stand at our french doors and look at this:
So much wasted space! I simply could not figure out what to do with that huge expanse of wood. Should the table be by the doors? Kitchen window? In the odd roof thing? But then what to do with all the wood area left? Sigh…look how lonely the pots look trying their best to fill in the space.
And don’t even get me started on the upkeep or expense of replacing it. It was already rotting when we bought the house and we patched as we could for safety until we could take on the project fully.
I understand decks for houses that need them because of height issues – but this was less than two feet off the ground. I simply didn’t get it – and I knew there could be a way to make this area pretty and a lot more useful on the cheap.
And we did:
Now we have this beautiful area! It just makes so much more sense, don’t you think? Plus, greenery and gravel is so much cooler (like, literally – it feels cooler when you’re out there) and welcoming than a big expanse of wood.
We use this area SO much more now and it’s beautiful to look at from inside the house as well.
Let’s get to the before-and-after shots so you can truly appreciate the transformation!
DIY Backyard Makeover
One of the benefits of doing DIY projects like this after living in a house awhile is knowing how you use the space as it is and figure out any quirks. In this case, we found we had to place our dining set towards the end of the deck to be shaded from the western sun at dinner time, the main time we eat outside.
So we created a much smaller deck entry area from the house with a step leading to the gravel dining patio. Now instead of seeming to randomly be placed far from the house, the patio makes it seem like the table and chairs belong there.
We had added an outside French door to our master bedroom when we did our big remodeling shortly after moving in which included the garage conversion, as well as installing the double set of French doors to the deck (btw – huge improvement, right?).
However, the master bedroom French door remained the door that led to nowhere for seven years. Ahem. One of the goals of the backyard landscaping project was to connect this door to the yard. Now it has a small deck and step like the entry deck which leads to the gravel patio area with it’s own gravel path.
Before the house and deck seemed to project out over the yard instead of being a part of the yard. The pathways, small entry decks, and planting areas now help connect the yard to the house, leading you out and into the surrounding yard.
Here’s the view from the other side of the former deck. You can see how the gravel pathway connects everything from the mudroom door (out of sight, directly to your left in the photo), past the outdoor “rooms” all the way to the master bedroom door. Which I guess makes this the hallway. Or whatever you want to call it, ha!
So, to recap, our huge deck became these four rooms:
1. Dining Area
The dining area sits on a gravel patio with room for a grill and a new flower bed which holds, among other plantings, one of my favorite shrubs along with a concrete bird bath. Which the birds actually use – sometimes when we’re out there! Major fun (OK, for us – remember we live in the country).
Using gravel for an area this big was really cheap compared to other options like pavers or cement. Not just the cost of the product, either, but the fact that it’s a super easy DIY project anyone can do (well, as long as you can shovel and push a wheelbarrow of gravel around!). Plus it flows nicely from the connecting pathways.
Oh – I’ve been wanting to mention that the umbrella still looks great after spray painting it summer of 2011! I thought for sure I’d have to touch it up, but I didn’t even need to. Just regular old spray paint. Amazing.
UPDATE: Since publishing this, I’ve gotten a number of questions about how we laid the gravel in this area. We did it like we’ve done other gravel pathways – laying thick plastic first, edging with this easy-to-find, inexpensive garden edging, and then spreading the gravel. We used a 3/4 crushed gravel without fines – that’s the important part, if you get it with ‘fines’ (aka, sandy dirt) it creates a nice soil-like layer for weeds to root in, which we learned the hard way with our raised-bed paths.
The only weeds we get are those that blow in, which are easy to pull up in spring when they usually sprout. The edges of the gravel puts small holes in the plastic as it’s walked on, so we’ve never had an issue with drainage (and we live in rainy western Oregon!).
Also, we thought we might eventually add pavers in the gravel just under the seating area, but the gravel has been fine and we’ve never felt the need – or the expense!
2. Kitchen Herb Garden
The herb garden with a path to the back door and kitchen is probably my favorite part of the makeover (you can go here to read about the transformation of the herb garden with before, during and after pictures). I had dreamed for years of being able to run out and clip fresh herbs for meals in a dedicated herb garden. I had grown some herbs in pots, but they never did as well for me as herbs grown in the ground.
Oh, and see the cute finial on the hose guard? We made it from a leftover piece of 4x4and Brian cut a piece of wood down for the cap. To make it prettier, we attached a regular wooden curtain finial ($6 for a pair- there’s a matching one on the other side of the garden) which I coated in a water-repelling stain to make them safe for outdoors. SO much cheaper than fence post caps we found – I couldn’t find any cute ones were all more than $10 each!
3. Backyard Entry
The entry deck to the backyard welcomes you to explore the yard and leads you to the other areas. It’s next to the herb garden, so I can harvest herbs from either back door.
We were able to reuse the posts and 4×6 beams from the original deck, adding new decking wood and a wide step down to the gravel. Now the flower pots look like they belong there.
4. Gazebo Living Room
And finally the gazebo, which I sometimes refer to as our outdoor “living room.” If you missed it, be sure to read all about the gazebo makeover and get the whole scoop on how it changed from a weird shed-like oddity in the corner of the deck to a fun place to hang out.
We love having a place to sit and enjoy warm summer nights, as well as shaded afternoon reading times. Especially after upgrading to cushier outdoor furniture.
So…can you tell how much I like our new space? And not just me – Brian and the kids use it now, too – and they were hardly out in back before. One of the sweetest things is seeing our kids hang out in the gazebo with our dog, reading or talking. That makes this mama’s heart happy.
What do you think of the transformation? Do you ever think about your outdoor space as rooms?
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Melanie Smith says
March 23 at 7:59 pmJami – I can not tell from the pictures what you used for the boarders to keep the gravel in or how you keep the boarder in place, We have a mess right now in front of our already small deck and I don’t want to expand the deck and have what you had and replaced, I would rather have gravel it looks so natural and clean to me. This is something I hope to tackle in the spring of 2016 as right now we have a muddy mess and dogs who track it into the house. TY for any added info you can share. I would love to share pictures for advice from you or others but I am not sure how I could do that. ALSO what size and grade gravel did you buy?
Jami says
March 24 at 10:58 amI think you’ll love the addition of a gravel area, Melanie – we still do! We actually used 2-ft concrete scalloped edgers you get from home stores – they were the cheapest option at about $1 each. But I didn’t like the scallops – too frou frou for me. 🙂 So we installed them upside down – you just dig a little trench and add the edgers and then push dirt in on the lawn side and the gravel on the patio side holds them in. The sell rounded ones for corners, but we also broke a few to create less sharp curves. I don’t recall the size of the gravel, but I thought I mentioned that it’s important to get gravel with ‘NO FINES’ – that means all the smaller pieces and sand that comes with gravel (and which creates a perfect bed to grow weeds!). I’ll have to go back and make sure that’s in there, because it’s key! You can email me your photos – that would be fun to see your progress!
Melissa says
February 20 at 3:17 pmHi Jami! What a great transformation. I’m looking at putting in a similar gravel dining area. Have you noticed any weed growth in your gravel area? Also, what did you use as a border to separate the gravel from the grass? Thanks so much 🙂
Jami says
February 22 at 3:16 pmWe used long inter-locking narrow cement edging, Melissa – it’s actually the scalloped-edge kind because it’s the cheapest. I don’t like the frou-frou scallop look though, so we just install it upside down. 🙂
We laid a layer of thick black plastic and then used gravel without fines (this is VERY important!) on top and we get no weeds from underneath. There are weeds that blow in, but they come up super easy since there’s the layer of plastic.
Does that answer your questions?
Jackie C says
March 24 at 12:07 amAbsolutely FABULOUS! I LOVE your herb garden. What kind of gravel did you use?
Jami says
March 24 at 12:30 pmThank you, Jackie! We used a 3/4 crushed gravel without fines (the important part – if you get it with all the ‘fines’ it creates a nice dirt layer for weeds to root in, which we learned the hard way with our raised-bed paths. Sigh.) 🙂
Alyssa says
June 16 at 4:35 pmHi, gorgeous backyard! We’re considering putting in a gravel patio in a LARGE area of our yard. How do you like it? I’ve heard mixed reviews, the cons being that it moves around a lot and it’s comfortable to sit on with a table/chairs. How do you like it – would you use gravel again there? Thanks for the info!
Jami says
June 16 at 7:30 pmI love the gravel, Alyssa! Though I’d probably love a stone patio, too. 🙂 The gravel is installed over landscape fabric, and it moves some, but not a lot (I think we rake portions of it back in place a couple times a year). We just move our table and chairs until they are level and I’ve never noticed that it’s uncomfortable to sit on – and no guests have ever mentioned that either.
The HUGE benefit of gravel, though? It’s cheap and super easy compared to anything else. And I do like that European look it gives to the garden – seems like so many patios I see from Europe are some type of gravel. The gray color is really cool-looking, too, in warm weather – a nice contrast to the green.
I have considered in the future adding a circle of flagstones under the table and chairs – just settling them in the gravel. But so far, I haven’t cared enough, as it works fine for us. Hope that helps some!
Babs29 says
August 31 at 9:45 amLove this redo, every bit of it. Our problem in GA is the bugs. So we need a screened porch. Love the gravel, your flowers. My daughter got me to check this site out, and now I know why!
A Georgia Fan of Oregon Cottage
Jami says
September 1 at 2:39 pmThank you so much, Babs! I would love, love, love a screened porch and if money were no problem I would’ve added one to the back of our house. Maybe in our next house…sigh. 🙂
Janet says
April 25 at 11:36 amI totally agree with you about the changeover from giant, time-consuming upkeep deck to the smaller decks with gravel and plantings around them. Much prettier, more natural, less upkeep. What’s not to like?
Karen says
March 22 at 1:15 pmOh my, what a beautiful job you & the family did! It is so inviting now.
Our backyard is drab and we are slowly making changes to it to living it up.
Heather says
December 28 at 5:22 pmWow, this is amazing. It’s beautiful and functional. It just goes to show that bigger is not always better.
Esther says
September 25 at 10:20 pmWhat a wonderful job. I wish I could say mine is finished and crossed off the list. Not! Working on it though. Your yard looks so at peace . Love it all, the little yellow cottage with the French doors and beautiful yard with the rooms… Ahh
Terry says
September 21 at 11:34 amWow, this looks so amazing and I love that you up-cycled some of the old decking materials. This now looks like its perfect for a magazine cover and its obvious that time and patience paid off for this project! Job well done my Oregon friend!
~Terry
HA says
September 20 at 4:27 pmNice results….and with a presidential roof on the house, gives much character. You
have done extensive work on this house, i am sure the husband is in the trades. Presently,
we are remodeling the kitchen, extending the existing second story deck to the new roof line
for more deck. Large potted trees and shrubs along with another art room of sorts will
finish off the wonderful views of the 18 hole course. Like all projects, much planning and
patience is a requirement… 🙂 Your endeavors show the labor of love for your ‘new’ home.
kimberly says
September 20 at 2:39 pmIt all looks so nice! How nice to have a dream come true.
I’ve got a few outdoor areas that are like rooms. Our massive front porch is one. We also have hammocks and chairs in our orchard. With the firepit, it’s like an extra family room. I also have an outdoor tub hidden in the grove out in the pasture. It’s my secret hideout.
Jennifer Barker says
September 20 at 12:56 pmBeautiful- it must feel wonderful to have it complete and still able to use this year! Would you share with us any tips you have on selecting and buying the various plants and shrubs you have throughout your yard? I never know what to get and where the good deals are!
Jami says
September 20 at 2:47 pmThat’s a good question, Jennifer! I see a whole blog series about that…;) This would be great to do in February and March when we all start thinking about our gardens again – so stay tuned, I really will do this – it’s a wonderful suggestion. Thanks! 🙂
Stephanie says
September 20 at 9:45 amI’m a new follower and that is simply amazing. I’m sure you guys use it all the time!!
Tami says
September 20 at 9:22 amLooks great! Love it! You are so creative and do such a great job on all your projects…..and frugally too!
Mindy says
September 20 at 9:02 amLove, love, love it! All of it! It really looks awesome. How fun to finally have it crossed off the list.
Sherry says
September 20 at 8:53 amIt’s all so charming and inviting. I love the gazebo living room! I could spend hours there reading a book and relaxing. We have just the opposite problem…our back yard is only about 12 feet deep. Just along strip not big enough for anything, really. So we added a deck to make it usable space. You’ve done some amazing landscaping here!
Julie @ The Family CEO says
September 20 at 8:15 amI love it! Such a wonderful result. And I also loved that you were looking for “cute” fence post caps. That’s so something I would do.
Diana says
September 20 at 7:59 amI think I’d hang outside all day in a backyard like that! If you were in these parts your yard would be on a garden tour for sure. It looks great — and even better than looks, I”m sure it “lives” great.
Our brutally hot summer slowed down our backyard reclamation project (from chickens, who are now fenced off in the back) considerably, but I’ve got the new coop half painted, and we have decided to spread pine straw all over the bare ground of the shady yard (shaded by a HUGE maple tree, with gnarly shallow large roots that stick up) rather than try to grow grass. Grass just seems like a loosing proposition, between deep shade and our increasingly dry and hot summers. So I figure we’ll do like I’ve seen down on the FL gulf coast — pine straw, with pockets of flowers here and there.
Jami says
September 20 at 2:40 pmThat sounds like a great solution, Diana, for a difficult area! I had a hard time the first year getting anything to grow under the huge fir tree in the corner. It was a combo of being consistent with the soaker hose (sometimes watering that area even if it was sprinkling, ’cause the tree keeps all the light sprinkles away), and finding plants that like dry shade. Some of my favorites: “Jack Frost” brunnera, bishop’s weed, epimedium, and ground-cover phlox.