Well I don't hate it. I think it is very nice.

The pavers coming down off the steps need a lot more rock under them for stability and leveling. They should not be resting on uneven concrete or be tilted or wobbly.

Plants and flowers along the fenceline will start to fill in and soften the look and add the warmth I think you are looking for.

A few small trees or tall bushes trimmed into a tree shape will screen some of the other nearby buildings. Container plants are harder to take care of than those in the ground and should be used for decorative plantings, not foundation plantings.

Maybe others can suggest a new layout but I would be happy in this yard.

Thank you so much for your kind words, and I appreciate your suggestions. I can also plant the trees in the ground if you think it is best. Are there compact trees that you could suggest? The area gets morning sun and a little afternoon sun. Canada zone 3. Again, I appreciate your comment.

Dwarf Crepe Myrtle can be pruned to a small tree with many trunks to help it spread horizontally to cover more fence and peek over the top. Many colors from white to pink to red and purple

There are many small evergreens that will stay green all year. I live in California so not familiar with plants in your Zone.

This is amazing, thank you. I will check the plants out.

Thanks Callirhoe. I see what you are saying. My plan is probably to redo that section of the backyard in a few years as I have already spent too much on the project.

(The OP is in zone 3. She isn't going to grow crape myrtle).

Oh Okay, Sorry 'bout that!! I thought Crepes were winter hardy. A local nursery should carry what grows for the area.

I like it, too. Not that bad. But I would just make sure the pavers are stable, they probably are.

Maybe some tall, skinny trees to give you some privacy, too.

Remove the river rock. Take what you have and using sand as a leveling layer, abut them to make a single solid looking space. Add more when you can. The combination you have always looks unfinished, imo because you see the thin edges of the pavers. Abutting them gets rid of that. Maybe dossing them with more river rock might help. But I wouldn't spend money on that. I'd spend it on more pavers.

There's just a lot going on back there. Different patio blocks with different gaps, box planters (made differently), upper deck cover and open deck, isolated deck stair, ground steps, different landscape bed materials, rabbit cages, a lonely bush, pathway lights, very prominent shadows from dutch lap dark siding and the floor cantilever, lattice, 2 different fences, . . .

Make a floor plan of your entire back yard - design it as you would a house - with "rooms" and "functions" that connect visually and physically in the way you want or don't want (and considering neighbor views just like you would think about where windows face on a house plan). Simplify how many different materials. Space plantings appropriately away from the fence and recognize any easements.

Once you add some containers + plant some colorful flowers/plants in the wood ones, you will have a very pretty backyard!

My yard isn't very large - it's a bit larger than yours (based upon your photos). When I re-designed my kitchen right before we broke ground, it had a negative effect on the size of my back yard (however, it had a positive effect on the size of my primary closet - about 19' x 8' - which has been nice).

However, I've never been excited about my back yard (front yard is large and has always had pretty landscaping beds). Once I added a wood swing set/play tower thing for my littles + added a fairly large deck - it seemed really small. Later, the swing set was exchanged for a trampoline (fully netted and padded) - but we sacrifice things for our children. . .

I have just started planting some stuff outside for this year - I overwintered quite a few plants that are perennials in other growing zones - but wouldn't have survived outdoors in zone 6B (although someone told me that we may be switched to 7a - however, we have some super cold days + several days with snow).

This will be the third summer that I've made containers for my front and back yard/patio. I did plant some annual flowers + some hostas out front before two years ago - but I barely ever had anything on my previous deck (torn down and replaced with a patio three years ago).

I always thought that I didn't have a "green thumb." I NEVER had any plants inside my house before then (except for a Christmas cactus that has been handed down a few generations).

This winter I didn't try to save as many plants as I did the year before because it was a lot of work. I did take a lot of cuttings that I've had in my breakfast nook area (all windows + lots of SUN) for the past 6 months. Except for my succulents, they have been sitting in water since the beginning of last November + a few plants in the basement by the walkout glass door (and I forgot to water fairly often).

For some reason, I am unable to add any photos right now - not sure why. I wanted to add some "before" photos (taken right after the new patio/fire pit/covered patio area was constructed without any containers/planters) + a few "after" photos from last year (after I made about 40 containers/planters - I am NOT exaggerating - it was a bit much actually). You will be surprised by how much nicer my yard looks once we added some new landscaping along the fence and house (bushes + privacy trees + some other perennials) + started adding some containers of flowers/plants.

I will try again later!

Thanks Dani. I think adding plants as you suggested would give me the warmth I am looking for. I will like to see photos of your backyard whenever you are able to upload. Thanks for the encouragement as I am not wanting to tear it down and start again. I have done everything myself for the last one year- it was hard work!

This look can look fantastic but yours doesn't look cohesive and flow well because the blocks are of different texture and patterns, unevenly laid and protruding in places, the river rock is not an even height and some blocks are just laying on top of the ground with again, different spacing. It is too much going on in a small space. Since you have invested so much into what you have already, hiring someone to temporarily remove it so that a proper base can be laid and the spacing and depth of stone pads be uniform, it will look much better.

I haven't forgotten about you - I still am unable to upload photos. Plus, I'm not able to see new posts (which is not unique to me - there's another post where this issue was discussed over the weekend). Hopefully, it will be fixed soon - it's very frustrating.

I just looked to see if maybe I could attach photos in a message - but your profile does not have a message button activated. I don't know if photos can be added there anyway - but maybe I could then email them to you - I don't want to post my email address on this thread.

Vines on lattice against the fence would help make it less sterile. I would definitely remove at least half those pavers and add more turf or a mulch area to put your chairs on.