A good starting scene of pictures to show of the outward bound view, would be taken from the back center of the house. Pan from far left to far right while keeping the camera at the same location -- just pivot, taking slightly overlapping shots. (Long shots of the flanking house walls would show in the first and last shots.) Don't substitute a computer/phone generated panorama as it will be too small. Post all the shots in sequence.

IMO the grass is the issue and I am not sure the best choice in your area. I would look a t enlarging the patio area around the pool get some substancial looking furniture that is inviting to sit on and certainly not behind the diving board Some nice loungers is a bright color along one side of the pool , do you have a BBQ out there somewhere then you need a dining space too. I do agree we need to see the whole space including how the house sits with the pool area. A couple of ideas to give you some ideas.

sides of house

patio

The problem with the pictures is that the camera location is changing. It should have been set up in line with the center of the complete view (near the center of back wall of house) and then stayed there for all shots.

@Yardvaark thats what I thought I did

not enough overlap?

Sorry, my error. I see it now. When there is a lot of shadow, it's hard to discern what's what. I'll take another look in a bit.

Right now the aquamarine slide is your focal point. It’s a lovely pool so I wish I could make it disappear but I’m sure your children love it. As long as they do, could it be painted to blend in better?

@kitasei yes the slide can be painted! Or disappear....

I’d love paint options for the slide and diving board, pool tile

What is your backyard used for, besides the pool? Do you have younger kids that need space to play, or kick a soccer ball around?

Move all the bushes and smaller plants to a fairly narrow planting area all around the edges of the yard by the fence out of the way. By next spring -- once your grass is thick and green - you can add a croquet set and a horseshoe set and a badminton set and a volley ball set and a dodge ball set to your back yard accessories to make -- your back yard a more desirable place to be.

Instead of keeping the furnishings adult formal, you might consider adding some bean bag chairs -- both adult and children's sizes -- that you can easily move about where needed, choosing bags that have a hanging loop or to which you can add a hanging loop so you can hang the bag up when not in use. Relaxing is more "cozy" than sitting in an uncomfortable metal chair -- especially for the young and young at heart..

https://www.google.com/search?q=images+bean+bag+chairs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWld2dy8_lAhXpV98KHb2fC6oQ_AUIEigC&biw=1328&bih=617#spf=1572837230808

You already have an outdoor kitchen and dining table but nothing resembling a bar in or alongside that shelter -- perhaps an "L" shaped one would be worth considering. That would provide additional prep space for the cook and a place for family and guests to sit with a cold drink and talk with the cook while the meals are being prepared -- with, of course, only comfortable chairs or stools.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/218072806941693007/

@Lisette Mauch

kids are rarely over, only if a friend brings them by or if family visits

this is an all adult Area; again, not a lot of events because it’s not inviting

I have to preface my comments by saying it is difficult to see into the shadows of the pictures, so I'm talking in very general terms here. It looks like the main layout of the landscaping is that it is plastered fairly tight against the outside perimeter of the yard. Rather than producing a luxurious effect, it leaves one with the feeling that things have been skimped on and are stretched thin. In general, beds need to be much deeper and they need to be filled with plants, instead of being barren. The barrier plants producing the dark shadows (at the far side of the pool) seem almost like an overhanging cliff under which nothing grows. A specific solution cannot be diagnosed without seeing and understanding what is actually there. (I suspect, however, that they are overgrown and need being redone.) At least, lush plants need to be established at the ground level and healthy, attractive plants need to create the screen from the surrounding neighbors. Where the perimeter bed is 3' or so depth, it would appear much better and be more practical to be 6' or 8' depth, allowing for fuller, more realistic plantings. Then, it would be good not to have the scattering of beds that are located between the house and pool which, in effect, screen off the more distant portion of the yard. In other words, make the distant portion look better and then don't screen or separate it from the viewing area.

It will also help the overall yard a lot to get the grass in better condition, so you're already on the right path there.

It looks like there are some good larger plants, such as the cypress (if that's what they are) at the perimeter. So the yard doesn't need to be started from complete scratch. I'd figure out what's worth retaining and what needs to be removed. Do what demolition is necessary and then start on a plan of additions, which you can do over time.

Suezbell

I like the idea of pushing everything to the perimeter

games!! Yes I need to store some on the garage

it really is more of an adult space tHan anything else if I go on history

a bar is a great idea!

Yardvarrk

thank you!

That’s what I was thinking, the beds need to be larger along the perimeter

AM I UNDERSTANDING correctly to only have beds along the outer perimeter near brick wall and demo all those other beds surrounding the grassy areas

The other good Thing with expanding The beds is reduction of some grassy areas, eliminating need for sprinkler, adding drip lines and water savings

I‘m going to start with getting rid of anything not on the parameter

thats about 5-6 rose bushes

i think the parameter beds are are only 1.5 feet, I can have the gardener start to extend them to at least 3-4ft, he can maybe replant the roses there for now?

Perimeter along brick wall

this is on both sides

the back is a berm

I can have the Gardner pull this out 2-3 more ft

berm in the back, I‘m pretty sure some of the “trees” along that back wall on the other end are overgrown weeds

Areas to demo

Would you also demo those plants leading around the path to the grill

Would you replant the roses along the perimeter for now

I’m getting super excited about the cleaner look

Yes, I would demo all those things you've marked out and the bed by the path by the grill. In my opinion, they "read" more as obstructions than as focal points or objects of interest.

So, the perimeter -- 1.5' -- is even more shallow than I surmised ... impossibly shallow! Making it only 3' or 4' deep is still too shallow. It needs to be in the 6' range because that's what kind of space plants take/require and what kind of size works to "decorate" something as big as a house and yard. However, I wouldn't make any changes (except demo) until you have converted whatever ideas you have, or will have, to PLAN form. In the measured plan is where all ideas are worked out... to know if, in fact, they will work out when implemented. Committing the ideas to paper is vastly easier than committing them to the ground only to discover that things don't fit or work the way one had thought or hoped. It's a step that cannot be overlooked. Besides that, it's a fun step.

Ok I’ll demo these areas and Toss the rose bushes

I can see how the larger planters would bring the yard in and make it more cozy

thanks!!!

Are you interested in edible plants? The wall seems suitable for espaliering fruit trees or vines. The new deeper bed can include berry bushes, herbs and vegetables. Browse pictures of potager for inspiration! This would be my choice for an inviting, ecological and aesthetic use of the space.

Either toss standalone rose bushes or incorporate them into a bed of roses that is designed as part of the revised scheme, depending on how much you like them.

Too much wild life to do edibles :/

I’ll toss the roses instead of having him replant them

ok time for backyard demo

@LT Dub - I am looking forward to seeing photos of the progress of your redesigned yard. But I'm wondering where you live (general area, e.g., Southern California, Upstate New York) to have such a wonderfully large backyard.

You need areas for loungers and umbrellas and in general, more seating. Currently, you don't have a wide enough area around the pool to put those. Therefore, your entertainment area is limited to the porch which, for a crowd, is pretty small. I would eliminate the grassy areas between the back porch and pool areas and use pots to bring color and life to those areas. That way, you have more area for loungers, etc.

A fireplace would also be a nice addition to the area. The pool looks like it needs a little TLC as well.

Lindsey — the yard is the reason I purchased the house! I’m originally from Michigan and I feel like I’m back home. I’m in Southern CA, in the San Fernando Valley

Shead — yes pool is another project