Sitting in the white chairs--you're at eye level with dirt. That doesn't appeal to me aesthetically. Maybe spread out aa couple of bags of desicated granite or some river rocks or something, but otherwise, this is a sad little collection of odd items. Why not paint those posts, define the space with plants in larger planters, and create a area suitable for cooking, eating, and hanging out?

This is a little sad. :(

The chairs are a pretty nice find and I like the little row of pots on the windowsill. But I also agree with FantasticMrFaux. It looks kind of dreary now with the dirt and weeds.

Are you guys allowed to plant anything? If you're not a few big, big potted plants (even small trees) would probably help make the space feel less bare. If you can, trailing plants in hanging pots would also provide even more lushness and some privacy.

If you guys do eat out there pretty often, I'd also try to scavenge a little folding table. Even a small card table dressed up with a bright tablecloth would work.

It's great that you've found a way to enjoy an outdoor space that most people would think of as just something to pass through. And it creates community in your building. I wish I had neighbors like you.

I think it's rather sweet. As a RENTER, it can be difficult to paint the posts, or pull up grass and re-do a lot of the concrete landscaping, so I think it is nice that you have added little pops of color and comfort where you could.

A lot of people who are critical are just judging a photograph and it seems unfair to be so critical of a space that you have little control over. This is called apartmenttherapy, right? Sometimes after reading harsh comments it seems like the site is HOME DESIGN SNOBBERY, WE HAVE TONS OF MONEY TO THROW AROUND AND BUY LOTS OF EXPENSIVE ITEMS FOR OUR HOME (NOT RENTAL PROPERTY).

Thank you for entering your photos. And keep having your parties!

I think it's a really good start. I'd talk to your landlord about maybe planting a few things in the ground. Or even bringing in some rock or wood chips. I am in the process of reclaiming a bit of unorthodox land outside the windows of my apartment, and my manager said I could have at it as long as I didn't put up a fence (fire codes) and left a clear path through the space (fire codes, again.) Anyway, my point is ... a little lava rock and woodchips can go a long, long way...trust me. Especially if you favor a mid century look.

One other thing that might brighten the space up a bit it one or two big pots. Some eye-catching plants will do wonders. If you don't want to blow a lot on pots, scavenger the goodwill and spray paint some battered terra-cotta to add splashes of color.

Anyway, it looks cute. And I love your grill. So cute!

I have that grill too, cool! The chair with the pillow is cute. :)

That's not very GREAT. It's kind of AWFUL.

@Tracipants: Calm down. I don't think anyone was suggesting that these folks ought to spend tons of money on their outdoor area. In fact, all of the suggestions were geared toward apartment dwellers with limited cash. And I don't think the pictures (plural) are deceptive. This place does not look particularly good.

Suggestions to add gravel (or what the heck--pretty rocks that you can find for free near a river or lake) to cover the dirt, a few potted plants and found furniture do not exactly reek of "HOME DESIGN SNOBBERY". Take your ire elsewhere.

Please don't ever take rocks from lakes and rivers. Remember the old hiking mantra: leave only footprints, take only pictures.

The big pots are a good idea, if you could get some bushy plants it would block the view of the parking lot from your windows. I like your little pots, nice touch of color.

It's not sad it just needs some work. I recommend getting some of those longer planters... what are they called... i dont know, but the longer rectangular ones and planting some small bushes and flowers. Put your little colorful pots inbetween them for some spots of color. It doesn't have to be so bad. Also, you can find mulch on the cheap if you find it somewhere someone is building a house or doing major work on a lot, and you can put that in the naked part. It has lots of potential!

Nice start - and I think more can happen here - People give dirt and plants away on craigslist all the time, keep checking I bet you can score some sweet FREE stuff. Also I'd look into some clematis or passionfruit vines for that rather tragic post, to soften might soften the place up. For ten bucks you could start a very sweet little patch..

I like it - if I were your neighbors, I'd stop by too! Good job working with what you've got.

Plant some perennial ground cover plants over that dirt, it would literally cost less than $50 bucks to make that area green and colorful. Tons of people in my neighborhood are even willing to give me free clippings when they thin out their gardens, just ask. Lillies spread very quickly and are pretty all summer long. Go to TJ Maxx and get some large terra cotta pots for $5 and fill them with flower bed annuals for $10. It doesn't cost much to make a small space beautiful! What is with the child's head on the pipe thing? That is a tad creepy. I do think that grill is adorable though.

There is potential for the space. I'm not sure I would have posted a picture with a bottle of wine sitting in the dirt.

There is one funky patch of dirt in my otherwise nicely landscaped apartment building and when I asked my landlord if I could plant a garden she happily said yes. Before you spend some of your own money ask to see if it's ok. Find some plants that grow well in the shade. I bet you have a big oak tree (since it's Austin) in the front and it makes growing anything pretty hard.

It is amazing at how spending a bit of time outdoors seems to attract neighbors and new friends.

Keep Austin weird!

Not sure about the head.

I don't get it.