Is it a solid ceiling? Look like very good grass. How many inches of stone between deck and grass? Shopping malls have this for fragrance, often at edge of a mixed container planting:

plants · More Info

Lobularia maritima (Sweet alyssum) · More Info

has great potential. any vine plant will work, I like bogenvillas (spelling is wrong) which can add a touch of color. Maybe some lights!

If he wants to reduce grass a bit, place a walkway going parallel the house/ past deck and around, then edge, then some plantings to enjoy from indoors too.

Landscaping Ideas · More Info

Brava Outdoor Interlocking Rubber Pavers, Teak Brown Pigment, Brick, 24"x24"x3/4 · More Info

Lighting idea suggested, shown here I think with string of bulbs attached:

Back Yard Patio · More Info

Thank you very much for all good ideas. Bougainvilleas unfortunately will not work , because he is in Indiana, but will look up something else

Ceiling is not solid, but we were thinking of putting a clear plastic , so he can enjoy it even when it rains, It is about 1' from patio to grass, about 6 ' on the left side

I bought rubberized 'pavers' [?] and placed them as a walkway... so you see how that could connect 2 side yards and add interest.... I walk barefoot on mine cause here we have lotsa rocks and no grass.

Plastic bench cheap and stable enough for against house / under large window. Maybe a fountain beside it -- is that a water spigot there?

36" Plastic Outdoor Garden Picnic Bench With Redwood Color Seat · More Info

He needs some landscaping in all that stone. Hydrangeas are great, perhaps some ornamental grasses. It might be a good idea to look at what the neighbors have growing in their yard for ideas and keep in mind the blooming times so you have something of interest from May to October.

It is a wonderful idea for a bench and a a fountain, it is a water spigot

First, I would get that small tree/bush away from the house. Kill it. Is there metal edging between the lawn and the stone? If not, this is preferable - do the brown not the green painted due to location. Facing the house ideas as follows. Left of the porch, some grasses (maiden hair or smaller so there is no slicey-dicey when you brush past them). Right of the porch I like the idea of a bench and - if possible a medium sized boulder. Then add a smaller boulder. There for you have the harmonious balance of three items outside the window. The bench should be made of wood, preferably distressed painted(red?) Plant a taller plant where the tree is however place it midway between the house and the lawn. Make is something fluffy that must occasionally be hard-pruned - thus you have different heights different years and won't grow tired of it. Planters on either side of the door - fountain grass center with colorful flowers in the warmer weather; plant rye seed in them in the late fall for the chia-planter look. Pavers leading out into the yard - preferably flagstone. Yes, clear fiberglass over the top for year-round use. Opt for some nicer patio furniture. A water feature is always a nice thought however it is an upkeep commitment. Tell him it is like a tiny above ground pool. Is he in for this or not? If so on the far side of the little tree replacement, with a fountain for sound, and two small stools for contemplation.

I love the idea of contemplation spot. It is his first house and he is very enthusiastic about doing garden work

he lives in Carmel, Indiana

I post for the lighting, the vine, and a comment seen at right about roof plastic [clicking More Info to see]:

Small city garden · More Info

My vote would be thus. i am of the impression that there is not a large budget. My favorite kind. i know mosquitos can be an issue up there so, i would get inexpensive screening material and attach tie offs to them, so that they can be rolled up if unwanted. some one should go out and sit there during the time he would be using and see if sun or heat is bothering you. if so, put roll up blinds. Believe it or not we had sliders when we lived in the swamp, 0 shade. We got one of the cheap plastic fake bamboo roll ups - about $20. Hung it up on the eve of the house. In the summer the difference between behind the shade and in front of it was at least 10 degrees and that was only like a 2' space. If he leaves this down all day during the summer, it will be cooler when he comes home.

I have seen no mention of fire feature and it does get cold up there. i do not know about one on the porch, but i could really see one off to the side in front of that large picture window. He could then enjoy it while still warm enough to be out, and also enjoy from inside with little risk of damage. You can buy something or you can make something. If he thinks he is into gardening, he will probably love diy. Anything metal or stone can hold a fire. How about and old metal car bumper. feeders are cheap at farm stores.

And how about a 2 for? this depends on the lay out of the house. but if the same side is comfortable year round, using that same side, dig a hole and do this

chelsbender's Ideas · More Info

does not have to be this large. place some rocks inside, fill with water, give it a fountain. nowadays you can cheaply do a lighted fountain. then all summer you can see this from that window. After sitting on the porch with a cold drink and your tootsies in the big drink as it were. as winter comes, use the fountain to drain the pool. place your fire feature on the rocks. get out your stool, put your feet up for warm tootsies.

i am pretty positive that the other side was for your grill. try Craigs list etc. great place to get cheap used charcoal grills. Can always upgrade if you want.

All the other suggestions are great too. I will leave those to you.

Planting. I never condone killing anybody unless you know without a doubt, they are worthless. I recommend you dig up and move, try not to destroy the main/tap root. I always use root tone and iomega 3 fish vitamins in my transplants. Plants and trees that size are very expensive to replace. perennials are great. I do very well with things like Roses-no you do not have to worry about them, just put them with everyone else, hydrangea, spirea, dinnerplate hibiscus, althea. you can put around the porch if you want the privacy. other wise start with a planting about 10-15' away. a few that would seclude the spot from the house and any one else. If this is a shady spot, azaleas are wonderful, the more the shade the more they love it. Small plants, shasta daisy, salvia, star flower, cone flowers, bachelor buttons. thymes are great for the borders, french tarragon, oreganos, possibly rosemary, lavender. these all smell lovely and can be thrown on the grill while cooking.

ok the spot he planted 10-15 away. do small stools or seating area there. i also have some great diys in my hacker's delight idea book. repeat a water/fire feature there for a private reflective spot. place pavers in a swirling path to this spot.

I would put down, every fall, bags of mulch, top soil, etc. in a spot. when spring comes, spot will be minus grass etc. in spring make a bed. until there is no more grass. I am done.

A natural stone flooring will make it beautiful. http://blog.everlastepoxy.com/editorial/diy-epoxy-stone-flooring

Remember i brought up about other beds and meandering path to the meditation area. i found an article about paths. the part he needs to remember is that i have seen this done in a townhouse yared!

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/17-wandering-paths-that-take-joy-in-the-journey-stsetivw-vs~54996037

Hope it helps!

Beautiful ideas, the bench against the wall looks like something he can easily do on his gravel path, stones are nice too . I really appreciate your help

Epoxy flooring might be above his budget, though

Now I know he can hack that, save a few hundred, what do you think? i actually think it is cute, though for me, it would have to be taller. often there are park benches at places like dollar general, mom bought one, had the silly thing for like 10 years, nothing done to it, used to hold plants. Under $50.

Also, online there are some great seats you can make out of free pallets.

Eclectic Outdoor Footstools And Ottomans · More Info

He would have to make it taller , too, he is over 6 ', it looks cute, though. Will check Dollar general, too, never been there but have seen the signs.

I saw a whole sofa made out of palettes.