What to do with long alley at side of house

Question

This home in Florida has a wrought iron gate leading into the first part of the alley and then a screen door leads into a continuation of the alley that is fully screened at roof level.  This part of the alley then turns into a walled courtyard about 20 by 15 ft. which is also fully screened at roof level. I am imagining a Tuscan style courtyard with lots of lush tropical plants and a fountain of some sort.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The long alley does not appear wide enough for planting in the ground.I would pot up some small tropicals based on how much light there is. I would add some solar lighting for added decorations.

Johnchip · Answer

Consider some aviary options as well.

Dot D Collett · Answer

I'm guessing that alley is slightly less than 3 pavers width because if three pavers would fit; they would be there.! Path and wall are the only elements that fit. Make them wonderful. Elegant wall mural, textured pebble / brick path. Dress up the screen door. Eye candy visible in courtyard.

Jeannie Carle · Answer

My first thought was mural!!!! Something kinda light and 'delicate' - I agree totally with what Dot above had to say :-)

Laughing Flower · Answer

One possible idea for the skinny part. Plant in rain gutters mounted on the wall. Very thin but able to hold plants. Google for lots of examples.

MN Mom · Answer

I don't know that the width of an area would determine if you could plant something in the ground. I would consider planting some annuals in the garden area as well as adding potted plants and flowers to add height and interest. Maybe hanging baskets or fern would be nice too. I think candle lighting or luminaries would look inviting.

NancyMaria · Answer

Mount colorful pottery and half bowls on the wall. Options for small air plant inside, low up keep or a large mosaic wall art.

Colleen · Answer

Can you plant anything in the dirt along the alley wall? What kind of light does the area get? Are you able to fasten anything to the walls or hang anything from the roof area? I'm thinking a climbing vine or hanging baskets or wall planters. And yes, lots of plants and a big fountain for courtyard, and a cozy comfortable sitting area. Vines to cover the walls would be nice in there too. And fairy lights! LOTS of them.

Fiona Loper · Answer

perfect place to display a collection of wall hung water features

Carole · Answer

Trompe l'oiel - landscape artwork/painting on the wall that fools the eye into seeing more depth than is there. Would open the space up and make it feel less narrow and confined. Could add some live elements such as the half hanging wall containers as mentioned here prior or one or two urns say along the wall - could work well if the trompe l'oiel included a path to lead the eye. Urn could sit either side of the 'path'. . If it were a modern home, perhaps a funky, graffiti style artwork on the wall. Might be an area that is too hard to grow plants in? Bromeliads might work as they are low maintenance and don't need a lot of light. They also propagate readily by making new plants or pups with no intervention from you. Or a couple of pots and hanging baskets with mirror on the wall to reflect back and make the space look more lush and planted than it is?

Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot · Answer

Water feature. I have a courtyard area like that with an in-ground koi pond (see pic1) and plenty of tropical plants all around it. Second pic is my back patio with an above ground koi pond that my husband made. It's pretty east to take care of (the filter is hidden around the back). Use some spanish or mediterranean type of tiles to add color. That area along the long wall in the last picture would be perfect for the water feature. Put down some different tile (Saltillo or something similar) Maybe paint an accent wall with a cool color and of course plants and flowers.

SusieQ · Answer

<p>love it!

What to do with long alley at side of house

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What to do with long alley at side of house

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