My only comment, I'm not a pro, is that I would seriously reconsider the size of that covered area. If one of your goals is easy entertaining and you live in a wet climate and have small children I would want a much larger covered area that would have protected access when it's wet or hot. The area you have now is only 12' wide, at that size I think it will look like a little barnacle on the back of the house instead of a proportional addition. I would at least extend it across the back of the house so it includes that back door, then people could exit the door and have direct access to a dry and shaded area for playing or entertaining. As it is now kids and guests, or you carrying food out from the kitchen, either have to exit the house from the back door and cross 20' of unprotected space to get to that area or exit through your master bedroom to stay dry or shaded. Neither one of those options seems like the best solution.

sorry, should have explained. the house is built, so changing something like that isn't possible. the covered area is 15x12, vaulted at 12' high. there is an 8' slider under it to the house / kitchen area. the rear door is to our master bedroom and is for star gazing and hot tub access only. hopefully no other traffic.

I see now. I read your description wrong and thought it said the covered patio was the entrance to the MB. I should have looked at the drawing before commenting.

Watch the shadows as they fall on your raised bed area to be sure there will be enough hours of sun. You don't mention how you will separate the bark from the grass -- give thought to how to divide them and have a safe play area for your kids. You may not need 2 large shade trees, especially the one so close to the house. Look at fully mature trees in your neighborhood before committing to that much canopy (and tree litter). Blueberry bushes will be nice, lucky you to be able to grow them! Your scheme shows a thin line of bark between the gravel of the raised bed area and the grass as well as the porch -- this may simply be the way the illustration came out, but it would simplify the design to continue the gravel in those skinny mulch areas.

Hey Mama Rachel (great name btw!)

Can I suggest that you put in a more shapely lawn? I know it probably sounds a bit odd designing the lawn shape but if you can get that right it really makes the whole design come together better...

I would put in a bold circle or oval shape with a path coming round the outside, linking the various aspects of the garden together.

You also need to take into account the main views out from the house so the 'sight lines' are always interesting.

We have a ton of free DIY design resources on our website and actually have a free online garden design workshop on now - let me know if you're interested and I'll post the link here!

Good luck with your yard!

To be honest, I don't think your shapes are flowing. In one sense it looks as if utility is happening in what space could be found for it. Much of landscape design is about dealing with what is outside of the site ... which we can't get any feel for at all. You might stand at the center of the back yard and take a series of overlapping pictures that span the entire perimeter, including of the house. I would speculate that the planting spaces might be too tight.

Thanks for the feedback so far. there is really nothing to see as far as views, trees, etc. The lot is in a new construction neighborhood, backs up to a 5 acre pasture currently fenced with barbed wire. The house is on old pasture so no mature plantings anywhere nearby to have a view.

I really need a large grassy area, so that is priority one. Fitting in shade and planter boxes is just so I don't have a flat piece of grass running into a 6ft privacy fence with bark dust. I'm trying to soften the edges visually and provide more sound and sight line privacy. Homes will eventually be built behind mine I'm sure.

I'm interested in the link offered above.