Small back yard help for disabled veteran.

Pam...Addition of potted plants and flowers. Yes, painting block can be done. I would prime first. You can put a screen or picket fence arounnd the air conditioning. Also if you like birds might use shepherd hooks for bird houses or feeders, even humming birds. Hope this helps some. Good luck!

I don't think the problem is so much the brick wall, it is that your space is totally lacking in any soft scapes to offset all the hard surfaces. A bush planted in the back corner and maybe some planter boxes attached to the brick wall, some hanging plants on the patio cover eaves, and a couple of cushioned chairs would make a world of difference. Dress up the shed with a window box and flower pots on each side of the door.

I think you should german paint the bricks. That is brush the white paint on and take a cloth and rub off as much as you like. or gray or any color you choose. I think that is what it is called. Then add flower boxes that will hang over the sides od the wall , add a lattice fence around ac and you are done. Good Luck and Thank you for your service.

I love Judy's ideas and I would paint a large Eagle

s head against a old looking US flag on that wall.

on this idea.

The block certainly can be painted. It takes a lot of paint and will still have the prison look, but a prison with painted walls. I'd consider attaching PVC lattice panels and adding vining plants, if you have the water. A prefabricated waterfall in the corner would add a lot of ambiance. They use a small pump and recirculate the water. Dogs like that. Adding furniture would make the space look more homey but you likely don't want to sacrifice the space needed for training.

Thank you both. Great ideas coming in. Can't hang anything over as it's neighbors on the other side. Trying to go with a zen, natural look. That's why I was wondering about staining not paint. Love the eagle though but if we decide later to sell as we get older they might not.

Sorry but hope you get some ideas that do help!

Rather than doing something to the block walls that will require you to maintain it forever, what about hanging bamboo screens over it? Keeping small trees and lots of perennials flowers in pots will bring beauty and color. Put a outdoor carpet over the concrete patio. Soft "mood" lighting - solar and/or wired.

You could wrap the support posts in wood to soften them and bring more wood to the scene. How about hanging some Zen artwork under the roof? You can find something printed on a shower curtain perhaps and that would be waterproof.

I don't know your growing zone but you can find some vines that are native to your area to grow up the block wall - preferably flowering ones.

Plant some shrubs, and yes you can buy concrete grade paint, ask at your paint or hardware store. you could even add some posts for hanging planters

Yes you can stain concrete

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/categories/decor/paint/exterior-wood-stains-and-finishes/concrete-stain.html?eid=PS_GOOGLE_HD+%7C+Vendor-Funded_Vendor+%7C+Paint+%7C+DSA_DSA+%7C+Decor+-+Paint_b_DYNAMIC+SEARCH+ADS_aud-306143177413:dsa-415716186157&gclid=CjwKCAjw9-HZBRAwEiwAGw0QcTyZ9tjeFSfxIvh_k6CMEHVQR3rmOgj16Tq1uCtofd1b5h0IHr9YAxoCmvQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMyjp5bE_tsCFaAErQYdxh8LIg