What should I do with my very small courtyard?

What a great space! How about pavers? They come in a number of sizes and relatively easy to install. Check out Janet's suggestion as there is a ton of ideas on all the social media sites, to give you ideas. Have fun with it!

I love the look of pavers in varied colors. I'm thinking circular. Add the patio/chairs and some nice shrubbery and space will be great!

Thank you for your input, Shoshana. Have been struggling with this for awhile. It's a mess.

Fairy Garden with Fire pit and gravel with a water feature and small chairs for humans.

If you are terribly creative and patient, I have seen some great flooring techniques using various bricks, pavers and stones in all sorts of great patterns. Maybe this will be good for ideas:

https://www.google.com/search?q=patio+paver+designs&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS720US720&espv=2&biw=1517&bih=691&tbm=isch&imgil=TxEDYXylG3MqpM%253A%253B6LMIc-FGvZi9HM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fexplore%25252Fpaver-patio-designs%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=TxEDYXylG3MqpM%253A%252C6LMIc-FGvZi9HM%252C_&usg=__BUwVyiBBxc34x6rVc-jYZGoAe4w%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjUsbeY77PSAhWLLSYKHR1pBDkQyjcIQw&ei=ev21WNSMPIvbmAGd0pHIAw#imgrc=MHTHoN0_G4MwaM:

Cover the area with pavers but leave places for raised fern beds (if you have shade) along the fence area. You can also reserve a large square in the center of your yard as a place to plant a nice tree. Good luck with your yard!

Thanks for your input, I appreciate your taking the time to respond. Unfortunately we have no shade however we plan on planting a crepe myrtle in the corner.

Robin

I too live in Texas. You can grow a nice variety of plants even bloomers if you take a little time to lay it out and plan accordingly. Look into these: Alyssum and Ajuga, Begonias, Geraniums, Lambs ear and Sedum. Iris, Day Lilly, Aloe vera and Yucca is good for height and all year round green. For extra height, plant cone flowers, sun flowers and Cannas. Especially Cannas because you can get lots of color mix if you want. Good luck! Oh, and everything I listed can start small and thrive in a small space.

Thank you for your input. I do appreciate ur interest.

Robin

at house no.2, there were water issues eroding the hill side. my local nursery had a landscape design person. i didn't have to purchase the plants from them, just planting plans. i could have who ever i wanted install it. even if was just me. they also did diy classes. when working w/ tables an chairs, you need enough room to pull the chairs completely way from the table. also consider how you are going to get your space leveled off, how many peeps will be over for bbq on a reg. bases?

the plans cost about 30 us dollar.

You could place pavers and leave grass in between like the pictures I included. That would look nice in that small space.

Good idea. Thanks for the feedback.

What would look really great is a low decking area. It looks clean and sharp and is easy to keep nice A few pots with colorful flowers and a nice outdoor table and chairs and the transformation would be gorgeous. If you don't want to put down lawn for the rest of it just make pathways and use pebbles wherever you can and will remain maintenance free.

I thought about that. Putting in a low deck, large enough for my table and chairs and bbq. Thank you for your input.