Good ideas! Never thought of the storage idea. Thanks! Here's a recent photo I found. Is this what you were thinking?

Yes, that is the idea! Nicer, huh? and the area above becomes free real estate! :)

Thanks for your help (:

We also thought about using planters on the stairs to fill in the space (after we rip out the chainlink of course). Thoughts?

As long as you are resurfacing the concrete anyway I prefer to see you pick up some real estate....and it will be far more attractive.... wouldn;t you enjoy that more? :)

ps you are very welcome! :)

Oh yes! I'll start getting a couple quotes for the concrete work. I think my hubby is pushing for the plants due to cost. We are hoping to sell in the next 2 years. I think it would payoff to fill it in.

I totally agree with you. In my opinion you would be turning an eyesore into a feature! You might also consider 2 or 3 planters with climbing blooming plants like bougainvillea or climbing roses to climb and arch over the wall...or a wall covered in ivy or creeping fig depending on where you live with an attractive architectural element in the center....need not be a fountain like the photo. ...if not planters then plant from above something to cascade below....low cost and great curb appeal! Hope the photos give you some ideas.

Love it! Thank you. Here's a photo from the other side. We live in Seattle. It's quite the project. We finished the inside, now it's time for the outside. Nice retaining wall huh? Any ideas for style of fence? Something simple. I do like the combination of metal and wood like the photo above concrete garage.

You are so welcome! Bougainvillea will not survive the Seattle winter. Creeping fig has a 50/50 chance...I would plant it in the sun; it takes a year or so to establish. English ivy grows there too and is also a bit slow. Boston Ivy would gorw and cascade but loses its leaves in the winter and you don;t wnat that whien you are selling. Your local garden center should have knowlede of te beat things to cascade down the retaining wall. I am told the Lamarque or Lemarque rose cascades and blooms all season (not coldest time of the winter) Asparagus ferns for shade as well as blooming ground covers for sun and/or shade and many of those would cascade. Which direction does the garage face?

South

cover up the ugly concrete with wooden slats , and then use them as a trellis.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/wood-slat-trellis-phbr0lbl-bl~l_90001

Great idea! I have even more concrete up top that needs a make-over. Thanks!

Not sure this wood really matches the painted house, but at least it looks really nice and modern (and eco-friendly too!). I would continue the slats as the patio fence and wrap it around the stair wall.

Wow! You even painted my garage door! Nice (: Thank you all for your creative ideas and your time.

I could see a lot of vining plants, and maybe consider overplanting- letting nature get back to where it was. Or you could maybe try contacting a professional on this site for advice. But I do think you've already gotten a lot of great advice. Good luck!

If you face the concrete with wood, I think you will have a moisture/rotting problem as it would be impossible to keep water from seeping between the two. It will also be a higher maintainance materical than the concrete. I would stick with concrete and cover or partiallly cover with climbing plants. You can certainly use colored concrete if you prefer and that can give you a stucco effect depending on how it is applied. As far as a fence on the retaining wall, I would just do the cascading plants. For fencing above the garage, I like the a trellis for privacy and perhaps some blooming vines. I am attaching 4 photos of trellises, one with a pergola that could estend over the garage or garden or both. I hope you will keep us posted with photos as you progress! :)

oops...left out one and duped one....here is the 4th!

Many of these trellises can be found pre-made at Home Depot or Lowes......

I really appreciate all of your input (: I will definitely post pics when were done. Do you like the 1/2 iron 1/2 trellis like the photo I posted or should the trellis go completely across the front of the garage?

I think the space looks larger with the trellis going all the way across, It also gives you more privacy and shade from the southern exposure. Since it faces south you can grow roses and you may be able to grow Chilean Jasmine (actually mandevilla laxa) as well which smells heavenly!

Your right, we do live in the city and we could use the privacy. Thanks!

English ivy is a nasty invasive in your area as well as most of the US. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/948

You're not kiddin! I am currently ripping it out by our front stairwell. It's quite the workout! I'll send a before and after pic of that area too.