If the dogs have damaged all the existing shrubs, do you have a plan to keep them away from the new ones?

I think you need to start with "needs" and then move on to "desires." What are you trying to accomplish here?

I need an area of shade for entertaining & just to be able to relax, eventually that area would like an outdoor kitchen (the back of the house receives some slight shade but not enough so indecisive as to a patio or pergola); would need an area for our children to play (planning on building them a playhouse & already have a swingset for them); also as mentioned, need an area for the dogs (like a dog run or something where they will be behind a fence)

Check out some of our photos. We have worked on so many backyards so we have over 600 pictures of ideas!

svel12, have you considered adding pet-friendly artificial grass to your backyard? This would be a great option since you have dogs and are planning on having a play area. Good luck!

Get these ads for artificial grass off this forum!!!

laceyvail, flag them as spam. little flag in upper corner of their post. Admin seems to be really good about removing them.

Thanks Yardvaark(9A)! We opted in putting a a patio all around the house, without the roof. We sort of had to make a quick decision and did it more of a convenience than design (husband's brother's were in town to help with the work). But we curved it and colored the concrete to sort of making it look less hard, and its easier to walk around the house without getting muddy. The side 1 area is going to be used for a sort of gym set up and basketball court, not sure how to design it so it still flows into the yard. Was also inspired to make a 8x10 playhouse for the kids in the empty mulch area on the north end...I think it would be great to turn it into a shed after they've outgrown it. The side 2 area, was thinking of making a long narrow planter against the wall and then adding an arbor as a transition from that area into the main backyard?? As for a covered structure in the backyard, was thinking it needed to be about 10x12 to be able to place a grill, fire pit and furniture under it... where would that best placed, how should I design it and what sort of walkway should we do to make it flow from the patio. (will be moving the trees as suggested too). The rest of the patio directly behind the house...any other ideas? If anything, had thought of placing large planters around and using it as a sitting area unless you had better ideas?? And had a question on your drawing... ...what kind of software is that and/or do you recommend any newbie software?

I'm drawing with Microsoft Paint, which I like because it's easy and does the job. There are other paint programs, too.

It's a bit backwards to ignore the planning aspect of design and then, after doing a lot of construction work, begin trying to figure out many of the important elements. My interest fizzles when there are too many overlooked design opportunities and still too many things to figure out. Maybe others will be willing to jump in with some ideas.

Sorry, but it's really grim. Looks like a house plunked down in a parking lot.