I think once you get some grass to grow in there it will immediately look more calming. Or false turf for the grandikids; they can be hard on grass! Also, create some curved beds for the perimeter of the area. For the gazebo I don't know what the size is but you might have room where that pile of stuff is on the left. I'm guessing the trees are staying?

You can always add some planted containers all around the patio areas and once there is some furniture I bet you wont even notice the difference between the brick and the concrete. You can also add an outdoor rug to partially cover it.

For on top of the retaining wall..get rid of what is there and replace with drought tolerant grasses against the wall, then fill in with perennials like liatris, black-eyed susans, russian sage, sedums or even lavender. I can't tell how wide the bed is up there but something to cascade down the wall would look nice, too. Creeping phlox, thyme or veronica are all drought tolerant. You will have a beautiful oasis in no time with just a bit of creativity!

Similar yard....looks much better with grass!!

Montrose Turf and Fountain · More Info

It appears that you need to remove a LOT of soil to bring it down to the level of the bricks. When (if) you do that, slope it up to the trees. You should be able to see the base of the tree where the roots flare out. With that base the grass you can put St Augustine turf in there. No other grass would work underneath the trees.

If you need a ground cover, Asiatic jasmine works well in Texas. It can be trimmed to any height from 2 inches to 10 inches. It gets very fragrant flowers in the spring.

We are going to raise the bricks-they weren't installed correctly before. Jasmine sounds like a great idea.

BTW, purchasing or ordering products, by its nature, is beyond the planning phase.

Does, "... raise the brick ..." mean get rid of, or reinstall?

The brick patio extension looks like a broad path to a destination ... but there doesn't seem to be anything but a dead end at the wall. The yard is small and there is some grade, so the Gazebo might logically go at the far side of the patio and become the destination.

If I looked out the door I think the gazebo would be pretty to see so I’d put it where the bricks are. Then, I’d think in terms of a home: a cooking area for your grill etc. An eating area possibly under the tree, a play area, and a rest area. Decide where you want those then decide on a surface to put them on if needed.

Here is where we are now: we removed all the bricks and have them stacked. @yaardvark- funny you should mention there needs to be a destination. We are considering making a path with those bricks on both sides that will lead to the upper retaining wall. On the sides of the path nearest the house we may put groundcover with some plants like the ones mentioned above. We were going to raise the area where the bricks were and put paver base
and use the same vinyl tiles over that area that we just put down today- which we are very happy with- and then put the gazebo over it. I think it’s 10 x 12 if I’m not mistaken. But we don’t have to do any of that if there are better ideas!

And we still would like a water feature. We will clear out the retaining wall area and put in plants that were mentioned above that go with our Zone 8a.

Would have added a rustic covered back porch with vaulted ceiling over that first rectangle rather than a gazebo.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rustic+covered+back+porch&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=5-bGj6GtDkqPjM%253A%252CKTfmFb_TUdogKM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTWv1KtsgMRu6CzG3SHSHeeSVJdzg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwij07jt2ZrlAhUBP60KHa0CAOcQ9QEwA3oECAcQCg#imgrc=5-bGj6GtDkqPjM:&spf=1571020080243&vet=1

I think you need some evergreen bushes in the area above the retaining wall. Something to hide the fence that doesn't grow too fast. I think putting down some more grass and using the bricks as a walkway is a good idea.

Ordinarily I would agree with you, but they screwed up when our house was built so we have a really strange roofline. We are getting a structure that looks a lot like those in the article you sent. They call it a gazebo because it is covered, but it is rectangular. I will send a pic later. My husband analyzed the structure and decided it just wouldn't work to have it close to our house. He is considering a small structure that will tie it onto our house and tie into the top of the gazebo, like a small covered walkway. It's not firmly decided yet so I love the suggestions. We will have planters on either side next to the house. The retaining wall will look much better and cleaner once we get the yard graded properly.

I think I would not put vinyl tile there. FWIW (as a stranger who's looking at your yard!) I suggest that the natural brick is more upscale looking, and more natural looking, too, more harmonic with nature, though I understand why you are considering vinyl tile. Consider getting some rectangular pots to semi-box the brick paver patio area and gazebo, and to avoid having to dig up the whole yard to level it. Set them at the corners of the brick paver area so that you have an opening in the centers, so like this: _planter__ [gap] __planter__. If you are good at making things, you can make concrete planters or use brick to make boxes, which could have the added benefit of providing additional places to sit. Then put the pathways into the yard from those centers. You can plant pretty flowers or kitchen herbs in the planters along the gazebo, or something like flowering tobacco, which would be heavenly in the evening when in flower. And you can cut watering needs by using self-watering pots or buy ready made ones. Then seed the lawn areas. On top of the retaining wall, to soften the lines and make the wall feel less imposing, you can plant any climbing herb (thyme comes to mind, but thyme flowers will attract bees, so with children, I would look for an alternative, your garden center should be able to suggest something that will work in TX). You could also add succulents to the wall itself. Then plant some flowering shrubs in clusters for interest. Happy renovating, no matter what direction you decide to go, what's most important is how you feel when you are in the space!

I would have the retaining wall painted a soft neutral outdoor color so when you look out your french doors it's softer on the eyes, like one of the colors in the house brick. I'm sure the yard will be lovely when done, it's a nice space to work with. Take your time.

Consider hiding the retaining wall by building a raised garden (18 inches high) using 6x6 cedar posts in front of it and planting ornamental bushes and grasses spaced 2-3 feet appart to soften the harshness of the wall.

There are some great succulant plants you can use for some of your landscaping. Some can get pretty big. Nice part is you don't have to water them. Just be careful of some like that "Hen and Chick" that just spreads and takes over.... Here's a few:

https://www.thespruce.com/best-low-maintenance-succulents-grow-outdoors-4080566

Then maybe add a few containers with geraniums. They can take the heat, sun and neglect. They have fabulous color to their flowers. In areas where it doesn't freeze they can liver for years. I was in CA and saw a couple that were 6" tall. AMAZING!

And, if you like them, you can just break off a piece, put it in dirt and grow more. Saves money. Can become addictive - once I was taking pieces of every color I passed to start more at home... I became a geranium clipping thief!

Like the idea of making the gazebo the "destination" feature of your yard, placed where the bricks were. Also like the idea of a covered walkway between the house and gazebo--but a low-ish, solid cover will dramatically reduce the amount of light that will come into your house through the window and door. A higher top on the walkway (maybe slatted wood with a peak down the middle?) could be an option you might consider.

Updates: gazebo nearly complete; sand and paver base put in with tile on top-just a small amount of work left to complete it. We love how the tiles snapped together perfectly so will only have to trim a few for corners. My husband is doing all this himself. He graded the lawn on the side also so the water drains much better. Lots more work but what a difference already!

It's looking more sensible, having a destination. And the gazebo helps block the neighbor's roof, making it seem more private. And you have lots more potential to make it look good with plantings.

As you can see, we are replanting grass and also seeding with winter grass to resod when the season Is right. The semicircular area between the retaining wall and the raised gazebo area will be filled in somehow with plants and hopefully a simple water feature. We will also power wash the bricks (which do match the house color) and fence which is just a few years old and will be stained. We can put pretty planters on sides but how should we do the lower area around potential water feature? Just use rocks or mulch or what? Suggestion?