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Before & After: Side Yard to Secluded Social Space

Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara is Apartment Therapy's News & Culture Director. When not scrolling through Instagram double-tapping pet pics and astrology memes, you'll find her thrift shopping around Boston, kayaking on the Charles, and trying not to buy more plants.
published Jul 20, 2015
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Side view of a stone house with black shutters, overgrown bushes, and a covered grill in the foreground.
(Image credit: Tim Bradley)

With a shared driveway behind her home, Anne had no private outdoor space to relax and entertain. This overgrown side yard might not scream outdoor oasis, but that’s what Anne created:

(Image credit: Submitted by Anne)

From Anne:

Our home sits on a corner and we have a shared driveway with a neighbor directly behind it – meaning we have no back yard! Although we have a large front yard, there was no private space for spending time outside. However, there was a small overgrown patch of yard between the side of our house and our other neighbor’s driveway. By adding a privacy fence, some landscaping, a cement paver patio and some sod we were able to create a modern, urban outdoor space from a completely wasted area. It is amazing how private it feels – we love spending evenings on the patio now, listening to music and enjoying drinks with friends.

Thank you Anne!

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