Hello All,

It's time to tackle what I consider a large landscape decision for a small back yard. I've been wanting to replace the tie wall in the back yard since I've bought the house (5 yrs ago!), well this is the year to act! I've attached pictures showing the back yard in its current state. To give you an idea of where my property line is, it's even with the neighbors back fence, approximately 20 ft past where the retaining wall is. Regardless of which option I choose below, I would like to extend my neighbors fence across the back of my yard, giving more privacy. A few current ideas I've had are as follows, but I'm looking for additional suggestions:

1) Keep the retaining wall at its current location relative to the house and rear property line, replace it with a new stone retaining wall. If this option is chosen, I'd like to build a deck out from the house that is even with my slider door going out to the back yard (two steps down to the patio).

2) Push the retaining wall back away from the house towards the back of the property, effectively increasing the size of usable space in the back yard. Build new stone retaining wall in new location. If this option is chosen, I'd like to enlarge the patio and possibly include a fire pit.

Can anyone think of other options/design suggestions that I haven't yet considered? A curved wall instead of straight, a fire pit or stone oven built in to the wall? I'd like to enjoy the space, but because of its current lackluster state it's been more of an eye sore more than anything.

Thank you for any suggestions!