Backyard Makeover: DIY Landscaping Project
- This picture is with literally almost no maintenance over the past year (besides the new plants I just added last week!) When I said we wanted something more manageable and functional, I wasn't kidding...and this totally fit the bill. You can see we never got around to adding more rocks, so some of the pavers are still a bit high (though we are planning to this weekend, I wanted to show a true "1 year later" picture beforehand).
- We do have a concrete patio around the same size that borders this area, which is where we have our table and chairs, and this "makeover" has really made our backyard a lot more serene and low maintenance (which was the ultimate goal)!
- For those who are gravely concerned about the height of the pavers, I'm happy to report that it is incident free; no one has tripped or sprained any ankles this year :-)
- The weeds have been virtually non-existent. The preemptive weedkiller, landscape fabric, sand/mulch, and rock combo has staved them off for one year at least and held up well. There have been a few tiny ones that started to sprout up around the border (in the area with white rocks where we didn't lay the landscape fabric) and thanks to some helpful tips from commenters here, they were easily taken care of with some vinegar and hot water.
- Lots of people have also asked about Snickers the mini-aussie and I'm also happy to report, she still loves the space! She enjoys lounging on the concrete patio and looking at the plants. Not to worry, she still has plenty of space to "do her business" just on the other side of the fence where there is a large grassy area to play!
- We may end up reorganizing the pavers and adding a few more rows this summer, now that we have some extra funds, but all in all it has worked out well so far. Considering our low budget last summer, this was the perfect makeover for us at the time and for anyone thinking of doing this project in your own small backyard, its very durable and can be done in one weekend!
Enjoyed the project?

Questions on this post
Have a question about this project?
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Diana on Mar 06, 2020
Why did you put mulch down under the rock?
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Joanie on Mar 07, 2020
Your area you created is real neat and pretty. Now......do you just look at the beauty? I mean......what are you going to put out on that kind of patio........chairs and a table? I can't understand why you didn't put all the paver's together and make use of it??
Just curious?
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C on Mar 10, 2021
i was thinking the same
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Kevin on Mar 10, 2021
Good question - think "sculpture garden" and NOT a "BBQ picnic area for a family with 3 kids and a dog"
The patio looks great I say place some plants or art pieces or a bird bath, etc. on the pavers.
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Joyce Thiery on Mar 10, 2021
I like it as is. But om a simple person.
Great job. Let noone take away from your being proud
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D'colbé_*1 on Mar 17, 2021
Right on time! Very inspiring & informative! Now know exactly what to do about bricks at end of handicap ramp outside! Had assumed sand, rocks and landscape fabric but not the mulch. Thanks! Now just hope I can get the bricks up as grass and weeds have poked up through holes of the brick and it almost looks like your before pic. Can I level it with my hands as it's such a small area?
P.S.: Snickers is beautiful! She seems to be one of those 'Hi-Intellect' species as well. Very attentive to details and highly concerned regarding what's important to her owners
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Comments
Join the conversation
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BeeZee on Mar 05, 2020
Well done !
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Bettybusby18 on Mar 06, 2020
Absolutely amazing! Great job!!!
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Betty Blue Easton on Mar 06, 2020
Hello lovely "Snickers" ♥️
Made a right difference. I think it's a job well done.x
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Connie Holloway O'Brien on Mar 09, 2020
Looks great! What kind of weedkiller did you use?
Thanks!
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Marie on Mar 10, 2020
This is a winning project!
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Nikki on Mar 25, 2020
One does not need to use weedkiller, which is dangerous for the enviornment. A thick layer of newspaper under the rock and pavers will choke out the weeds and seeds in a few months and biodegrades away in 18 months or less.
So no new weeds to grow, and the addition of chemicals to the earth is eliminated.
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Sandra on Jun 03, 2020
Thank you.. I did not know that..
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N'Ckyola on Aug 06, 2020
We recently did a similar project & we didn't use weed killer - just fabric weed block & heavy duty black plastic. When we do need it vinegar is our go-to - it works great is eco-friendly.
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Shawn Hoffman on Apr 03, 2020
Love your makeover!!!!!! Where did you get the cute 4 legged basket holder you have the plants in? I love that!
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Mary on Mar 05, 2021
I love how your patio addition has a defined space look. I'm working on a front yard patio. The stones are huge from home depot but I love their rustic look. We buy a few as our budget allows.We put heavy plastic but it's taking awhile to get all the stones so the weeds keep growing back just in the sand! We have an apple farm where we make cider , some of which turns to vinegar. We'll have to use some of our vinegar to control those weeds! Thanks for sharing.
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Rose Tovey on Mar 11, 2021
Do you spray the vinegar full strength, or half and half with water? Last year I used, very carefully, some round-up on our driveway cracks, but don't want to ever use it again, and so the question about vinegar. Thanks!
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Peggy L Burnette on Mar 10, 2021
Great job and beautiful dog.
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Anna Ibarra on Mar 17, 2021
It looks great, maybe add more of the gravel to meet the level of pavers so they won’t rock when u walk on them. But you pup is saying job well done. 😉
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It balances the stones from being unlevel
Thanks for the answer, but it also defeats the purpose of putting down weed blocking fabric layer, as a new layer of organic material will form as the mulch degrades and weeds (and other stuff) will grow in the mulch. and as the weeds are removed to keep the area neat looking the organic mulch will tend to be pulled up with the weed roots and mix with the gravel.
What Jack points out is absolutely true. Windblown seeds will soon take hold and you will be right back to good ol' Round Up. Not terrible, but the mulch will soon be regretted, I believe. I have seen it too often. Super beautiful job though. Dorien
Actually, Round Up is terrible! It is known to cause such serious health issues that it is banned in many areas of Canada and I believe in Europe. Please use vinegar or another alternative.
Put paver sand, I did with my brick patio and I layered it with more sand on top. With all those bricks they have never moved at all. I also put down weed barrier material and use the sand. Instill get some weeds. Not so much but some.