What can I do to make this outdoor area more appealing?

This discussion has some great ideas: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/q-curb-appeal-10366680

I also love what she did here with the flower bed! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/curb-appeal-fron-yard-update-4181890

Hi Patty!

You can add window boxes (http://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/planters/window-box-planters-7437372) under your windows for a nice pop of color, and then you add decor (seasonal or otherwise- www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/seasonal-decor/creating-a-fun-banner-for-a-fall-window-box-9915704) to those window boxes.

And, you can make a pretty fence-planter combo to block those electrical boxes -http://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/planters/a-re-purposed-furniture-piece-window-box-3720195

Good Luck! I can't wait to see what you do!

Paint utility boxes to match siding if you can. I would plant an evergreen (slow grower) under window to whatever your exposure and zone is, then plant perennial/annuals around that. Space lattice panels (one in front of door) to break up horizontal lines of siding. Plant perennial/annuals between the grasses to vary the heights as well.

Here are my suggestions: On the far right, around the corner, it seems like there is the beginning of a nice small garden there, I would trim back some of what seems to be a lower bush or planting of some sort. I would trim it so create space in the middle (like allowing it to breathe) not to make it shorter. This will create visual connection to the front view of the house. Plant some annuals that are low growers to bring some pops of color around the foundation. I would also find some native perennials that have a medium height to balance the garden height with the house. I would also prune out some of the medium height (?)evergreen, not to shape it, but to allow for air flow and eye line to the front.

In the back, I would find some contrasting containers, varying heights, shapes, sizes, and colors, plant them with both annuals and perennials. I would group them using the height and colors to create visual interest, even planting some at angles and on their sides. Stacking some on a makeshift box, or something that would allow for height will help break up the shorter horizontal line of the house itself. Planters are an easy way to see what you like and what you don't. It allows you to move them around to maximize the effect you are looking for, or even if you just want to change things up.

I noticed to the left of the driveway you have a triangular space, this could be another place to combine both planters and ground plantings. Using some larger stones to border it will help it blend into the natural surroundings, but give a divide between drive and garden. The same on the right, the curved space could be bordered with stones, and a nice ground cover in the front, and gradually increasing the height. This will also help to frame the house visually as you approach.

Good luck with your projects! I hope you will post some pictures to show what you've done!

Trellis, Arbor or other designs to let roses or other plants grow up it would add texture and color to the back of the house.

I agree with Hillela... window boxes would be a good start along with many of the other ideas offered. I liked the idea of roses, if that would work for you.

Best of luck!

I notice you have a meter that probably will need easy access. Consider a lattice work fence/ planter placed about 2 feet in front of the areas with some type of climbing vine (ivy, jasmine, etc.) http://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Mb1c54b4b9139b86873d03f33d5f0f057o0&pid=15.1

Your local plant nursery should be able to give you info on what's best suited to your area.

Or consider installing some type of artwork http://decorateyourfence.com/images/Austin%20Fence%20325x216.jpg

http://www.livingstylelandscapes.com.au/landscaping/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_25081.jpg

Shutters.

This looks like the shade part of the house, I would plant some shade loving plants. I added some to my planters this year and will be doing more next year. They were so pretty in orange, pink and red colors. You can buy them in shade variety and a sun variety. I believe they were called impatiens. Check it out. Plant many for good impact. I'm going to get a pallet to made a fence around my a/c so maybe you could add something like that to the lower panel while disguising the top one with paint a similar color to house. You have gotten many great ideas... We'll want to see how it turned out.

honey suckle or something yellow

Forget the vines. While they are pretty, they can be very invasive. If not looked after closely they can and will go under the siding. Stick with the roses. They only need occasional pruning. You could plant some spring bulbs along the side for early color, mums here and there for late blooms. Check nurseries for something that may lend some color to winter.

Not sure if you want to do this or have access to pallets, but I (I mean the hubs) cut some pallets for me and I used them for a short border. You could do this to hide your 'undesirables'. Here is a pic (I hope) We are happy with the results.

A trellis with morning glories would add color and it reseeds itself each year. Also you could put a variety of hostas along the bottom to add a little color. They too return each year and as they grow you can split them to start some in another location.

I think that you need some plants/bushes of varying heights to break it up. Trellises, a picket fence and the like will also change the look a lot. In my case instead of buying a trellis, I used parts and pieces from a modern metal bunk bed. There are 2 side rails long and narrow about 6 foot long, 2 mattress supports about 3-4 foot wide and 6 foot long and 2 sides which have angles etc and is about 5 foot tall and 4-5 foot wide. One bed gave me 6 trellises and I got it for free. Just a metal support needed to keep upright and will look terrific with rose bushes, or anything you like. Not all vines are invasive such as clematis and wisteria. They are pretty slow growing. In the area down where all the utility stuff is, you need to leave easy access so something fairly vertical that spread out at about 3 - 5 ft or make a vertical pole with adjustable height arms with hooks that you can hang pretty full baskets from.

You need the height to vary. No matter what plant you go with consider how wet the garden area is, if it's dry enough and sunny iris is great option, many different color and heights. Looks like the house is gray, there stunning black, yellows or blues, reds and purples might not work well. If it's wetter look into hybrid day Lillie's, the kind that stay in a compact mound. Doesn't look like it gets tons of shade, but if it does, hostas and astilbes and bleeding hearts. Fyi, if you go with hostas, know that when the say hybread hostas, sun and shade. It just means this variety can take more sun than older variety's hostas still can't take fun sun, they need shade in heat of the day.

Spiderwort/mother (in law's) tears, can go both pt shade and full sun.

At my house, I went with annuals untill I figured out length of sun exspoure in areas, and if it's going to stay wet or dry. For example, low side of my yard is in sunny area in summer, but in winter snow tends to settle, so I don't want irises in low spot or they rot come thaw. My shady side is heavily shaded to the point grass is very difficult to grow, moss grows fine, so hostas it is, many spot astilbes drown out. It's taken me 5 years to work out my landscaping so it works and is low maintenance. If you can move grasses away from house to island garden at end of house, but not next to house. Grasses will be easier to maintain, tall grasses tend to hold moisture, not good for house foundation. And your more likely to have fungus or mold, both on grass and actual house.

If you trust your hood, gnomes or other lawn statuary can be fun and help vary the height. Clay potor crafty topiary or gazing ball (make a one with glass globes, caulk and a old bowling ball) would be cool too.

Beautiful views. But I implore you NOT to plant morning glories! They are invasive to the point that they will choke out and kill everything else. They are too hard to control and I know this from a long and frustrating experience with them.

I agree paint gutter and and the electric box to match house. Then I would add shutters. I know you said hubby said nothing on siding but take a photo and color some in and show him the difference. Window boxes can be beautiful with colorful plants and potato vines with some purple coleus. I wouldn't plant bushes nor trees close to house but further away maybe the small Japanese maples. With trusty hostas. There are so so many clots and textures of leaves and colors. I'm all putting in as many perinial 's so it's an investment. Add some Shasta daisy's and cone flowers that spread on their own because they reseed. They can get out of hand if you don't thin them out. Since you said you planted grass in front bring some around to tie it all together. Have fun.

I would go with shutters also or awning over windows to bright up the side! Window boxes really dress up the look of the house, giving a more welcoming feeling! I would dress up plant area with antique items at flea markets like an old chair, take out seat and put plant in potted plants in it! Or find old tricycle and put plant in basket of the tricycle! Get plants that are vibrant in color! lattice with flowered vine is a must to cover old frame door area! I would put a wood sign either welcome sign or a sign of interested like this way to with arrows going different ways with cute humorous quotes on a stick to cover meter area! I would raise the little stone wall up a bit to give more depth, either with concrete brick underneath. We used wood railroad tire logs as a support and varnish them! I hope this was helpful

There are many trees and shrubs that have flowers.Check your local garden center.Mix them up with different shapes ,sizes ,and colors!

Go on Pinterest and create a fake wall that's a shrub, you can move it around.

shutters might help.

plants, hybiscuis etc.

Where you are I would go with trellis and climbing rose by the back window. By the electric, water meter you need to leave access for the meter readers, paint those covers, as much as you can to match the house. Play around with annuals and perennial flowers. Ask your local garden shop for help in what works in your area, sun/shade.

You are fortunate to have a water view! Since the back of your home is what you and visitors see when you approach, it would be nice to dress it up. Have you considered replacing the downspout with a gutter/rain chain? You could purchase one, but it might be more fun to make your own. Google DIY gutter chains and you will find many ideas! Make it hefty enough to be a visible and pretty focal point. Paint the water heater access to match your siding. Contact your utility company to see if you can also paint the meter box the same color. If not, ask to have it repainted to dress it up - or they may provide the paint. We all have them, but there's no reason for it not to look well kept. It doesn't look like full shutters would fit on the far right and far left windows, so I would not recommend them. Window boxes sound great until you have to keep plants alive in them. Spend your energy and money on another main focal point. Do you collect something? Love some one thing? Think along that line and come up with one item that would be big enough to draw the eye. Make a cardboard cutout of something, put it in place, and drive up to your home - is it big enough? Give a lot of thought to YOUR style. Funky? Rustic? Formal? Understated? I like the suggestion of making a sign, be it welcome, your last name and/or house #s, or ?? That could be a focal point. Go big so it's visible! Does everyone use your back door as the entry? If so, be sure to dress up that area and make it clear that that is where to go. If you can't put in a nice front door, can you add a dressy storm door? Look at your home with the eye of a stranger - would you easily be able to figure out where to go to knock on the door?

Consider moving the grasses you planted to the right half of your home and dress up the area closer to the back door if that is your main entryway. Whatever you wind up doing, enjoy the process! Happy New Year!

I think extend the garden across under that window on the right and perhaps even in front of those big trees around the side, that would add length/width. Find some colourful low growing plants that will hang over the garden edges and put them every few feet, that will draw the eye down, add colour etc. With the hot water door frame it with two large/tall narrow bushes, one either side, that will not grow too wide and prevent access but will soften it OR turn it into a feature by painting the frame and perhaps hanging a ( I know he said not but...) very light wire decoration as wall art - leaves, twigs design, maybe in a black or rust colour or sage green. An easy way to create instant height and colour is to put 3 - 5 graduated size pots fill bottom one with soil, put next one on top - play with centering or putting in one corner or the other at the back of bottom pot - plant up with annuals mixed with perennials so you have continuity of planting or add a few herbs - basil grows tall so would give extra height. The trick with this is to get the biggest pot you can for the bottom and go from there and yes plastic pots are cheaper and work really well. Re the utility and electric panel, I would paint to match the house, that will disguise them somewhat, or put a low, just high enough to hide the green one, piece of lattice in front of it and some colourful pots but that may become a problem moving them if you have to access it, perhaps you could hinge the lattice on one side.

Many of you continue to miss the fact that the owner said her husband DOESN"T want anything to ATTACH to the outter wall because of the siding. Window boxes would most likely need to be attached.

First an easy fix, paint all the utility boxes and downspout to match the siding color.

Purple shutters with some color or trim on the windows and door with color

shutters aside.. I'd paint out to match: downspout, grey box and area around the utilities, the lower part of the power I'd paint to match the brown skirting to help it vanish or add a lower growing rhody or heavenly bamboo I mention below. The white downspout splits the entire side of the house in 1/2. making it looked choppy and the first thing you see. The smaller plants are hidden by the raised wall : add more soil to make a BERM about 6-8 inches taller than the wall, replant on the top. It looks more natural if is uneven height, slightly rolling where the evergreen plants are. It will settle a bit. It will make the overall look less of plunked on the land and carport added.. Since the siding is a pale neutral color you need LOTS OF COLOR and TEXTURE in the plants. Various heights is also a must with long lines of the roof and gutters. Continue the raised wall around the end to the plants on that side with a curve to soften the sharp corner. Place a single paver step stone in front of the access points you need. BASE PLANTS will anchor the feel of the area. On the R. corner where you come down the drive, try an evergreen: HINOKI CYPRESS- very slow growing 1-2 in. per yr, unique shape as a focal point to soften the view of the long side. Near the the carport either a lower growing variety of rhody ( also an evergreen, or an IRISH PENCIL YEW, columnar slow growing evergreen, both give year round color and will balance the other end , or another HINOKI, planted or in a tall pot. In summer add bright colored annuals to say "welcome". NADANIA COMPACTA (HEAVENLY BAMBOO) is another evergreen with fantastic foliage and color and a great contrast to the grasses texture and color, lots of varieties, too. I personally love hydrangea,. many wonderful new colors that bloom on new and old wood favorite of mine is PISTASHIO for its color.. it stays a manageable size.. Once you get the painting done and several (usually an odd number) taller (base) plants in the back done, it will look totally different. then pick the medium height,, ie. lower growing rhody, heavenly bamboo or others. Maybe a couple of favorite perennials Finish it with the lower grasses you have at the edge to overhang a bit and soften the long line of the brick.. For summer add a few annuals.. Lastly things will look more natural if whatever you plant, buy groups of 3 or 5..This type of planting will have little work to maintain it,,yet have lots of color. How fun for you I've been that area many times.. and love it.. please post more photos.. I'd also take the photos you posted to a GOOD nursery in your area. They may give have other plant options.. If you venture to Seattle at all, remember the NW FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW is fun (can be spendy) for ideas and in FEB.. Don't forget your camera.....

Trim the shrub on the right. From the photo, that shrub and tree would stop me from "knowing" there's a way around to the front.

I like Wandas idea of a berm .. on the house side of driveway set border stones, real or faux, to invite and direct people around to the front.

A wide lattice panel or bamboo screen could be split and hung, like doors with posts in the ground, over your access door. Hang herbs in sphagnum moss baskets (so they aren't too heavy) on the "doors", and perhaps a second narrower permanent panel between the two small windows where you could plant a climbing flower, like clematis.

Do those, then decide on lower plants to fill. Be real careful with planting bamboo, as handsome as it is. It will take over your yard -and neighborhood.