What to do with this random crappy patio area, ideas please!

[Geranium879]

Hi everyone,

looking for a bit of advice please as I’m stumped.

We were hoping to do an extension to extend the existing single story sideways but for various reasons this isn’t going to be possible… At least not for many years. So we have a resigned ourselves to improving what we have and have some nice plans for the inside… But I’m left with this random little indented bit of patio that goes under the kitchen windows. The idea was that area this would become part of the kitchen/diner, but unfortunately these plans have been dashed!

We aren’t able to put French or patio doors on where the windows are, but we are getting slightly bigger windows. (I won’t bore you with the reasons!)

The back door will remain virtually where it is, although it will be a different door.

In front of the pictured / indented bit of patio, there is an another large section of patio that slopes downwards. I’m trying to create two flatter, stepped sections of patio and I just wondered if I could make a feature of this area. I’ll have to do something with the air brick. Had looked at decking but not keen on the idea of rats living right outside the kitchen…

So basically, I can raise this area a little bit and create a step down. My only thought is to create an area of potted, shade-loving plants and perhaps put a nice chair in there? I could maybe make a feature and over the top like some beams, but not sure if this is really necessary. It’s very shady in this patch, unfortunately.

Also not sure where to draw the line in terms of the step because I have different bits of the back of the house jutting out to different degrees… I’ve marked an option in red and another in blue and some of the additional photographs. Also attached something chat GPT has just done for me… it didn’t make the step deep enough but you get the gist

I’d be very grateful for any thoughts/alternative ideas about what you would do with this…. to try and make it into a pleasant feature rather than a rather sad area that wasn’t even supposed to be there!!

trying to upload photos but having a bit of bother so they may be in further posts…

trying to add images!

I would remove slabs and put a proper flower bed in up to where the kitchen door is or maybe the whole bit and just have a path to the back door. You could plant it up like one of those internal courtyard gardens that you see in high end side return extensions. I think there was one in that your dream house show on BBC 2 at some point?
Slightly Japanese inspired would work so maybe a bed with hakonechloa under the window with a nice medium sized Acer to the front right, where the corner of the house turns and a small slow growing japanese pine in the front left this side of the door..
Stick some more hakonechloa in any gaps and you would have something very low maintainence which would look beautiful from inside and outside and would fill that space with colour and life. The trees could go in large pots if needed.

www.jparkers.co.uk/hakonechloa-macra-aureola/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21578093980&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIubb9l4SejwMV4YFQBh07Nw7BEAQYASABEgJrRvD_BwE

Pots of flowers, an Olive tree on wheels, pots of herbs - scented like Basil and Mint, a wicker reading chair.
If ripping out the concrete could you plant herbs, Lavender and install a bee hive?

I'd put big planters in and use mahonia or fatsia to create an evergreen jungle look - and put an acer in - spend a bit of money to get a bigger one and put a chair there.

Creating different levels will introduce the potential of trip hazards.

How about creating a purely visual effect (added bonus: it will be cheaper, too!) Define the area by painting the floor or using an outdoor rug. Treat the alcove like you would treat an interior alcove: paint it in a light, bright colour; add shelves; put up a mirror to increase the light; etc.
Basically, I think you should treat this as a design problem and almost forget the garden aspect - the space is hardly big enough for plants anyway. You might be better off with things that have maximum impact for minimal footprint - otherwise known as climbers!
Going back to the design idea: you have shown us the view facing the window but is that the most important view? Is the view from indoors more important? - in which case create a 'frame'. Or the view from the kitchen step? - in which case the downpipe may feature majorly so you need to hide/disguise it.

Another thought. How about making it a more useful area. I can imagine something under the window which could look like a large window seat/bench (pretty) but is actually a storage box for tools, outdoor cushions or whatever (useful).

Some great ideas and totally lateral to what I had in mind, thank you everyone. I am due to collect kids from school soon but will be back later to read view everything again. I might try my hand at some sketches. Thanks again!

Sometimes it's better to 'embrace' a problem, instead of trying to minimise it.

I think that the space created by lining up with the right hand wall (red line) is too small. Try lining up with the left hand / door wall instead. Not on the diagonal (blue line) but square it off to create a room-sized space.
You now have the internal courtyard, that a PP mentioned, or the over-the-top, that you mentioned. You have A Statement!
Use delicate and airy materials (trellis, mesh, wirework, fabric) to define the area without blocking too much light, view or access.

This would look lovely but most of those would die in that level of shade.
OP you need to look in the shade loving section of gardening sites, and try some things in pots before removing some slabs and creating beds .
Do you like to sit outside in shade ? I like it as I don’t like to sit in the sun, but don’t put a chair there unless you might sit out with coffee. Just make it green, with some flowering plants that can cope with the shade, and use the pots /beds to shape a path.
This section is exactly like the back of a house I rented decades ago, and I wish I’d had lots of pots there.

This is a stunning shady space, I love it.

Stick your pictures on chat gpt and ask it for suggestions - it’s free and gives some great ideas

I would erect some trellis onto the walls, dig up a couple of the patio slabs (away from the shaded area, in a sunnier spot) and plant a Virginia Creeper to grow into and around that area.

18 years ago, we moved into our house and really disliked to look of the metal shed (actually, it's very practical!). We couldn't afford to replace immediately so I said don't worry - I will grown something over it! 18 years on, metal shed is still there and now covered in VC. It's visible from our back door and in Autumn especially, is a truly stunning sight of flame red! It does die back in Winter but you won't care about that then and if this is an issue, you could always go with something like Ivy. But VC has better, more interesting colours.

Just need to make sure you prune every year and keep it neat so maybe keep to the height of just above to door and the window. But mine does not grow crazily fast and I hardly ever need to prune it.

Yes, I love sitting in the shade. I am a redhead and avid avoider of sunshine!! I can see myself sitting in a potted garden of acers and things. I will need to find a very comfy chair and I’ll definitely sit there with a coffee

oh wow that looks cool!

I just looked at the think - I love this lime green macra grass and have it somewhere else in the garden so that would work well, thank you. I also love acers.

I can vouch for the comfort of this chair! I use (as does my cat) with a seat cushion.

https://www.cafereality.co.uk/prod/bibat-weave-armchairs-black-white?attribute_style=Blue+and+White&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20359314679&gbraid=0AAAAAC-iMkGcHL6MN8sWwEO_xfl6e_mM2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4K-Ej8CejwMVMZxQBh0sPQqgEAQYAyABEgIPRPD_BwE&cookies-accepted=1

Ideas - clean and paint pavers to brighten area - remove random pavers and plant with ground creeping plants such as camomile - troughs (on wheels) - trellis - metal baker racks for herbs. Plant for scent and pollinators, perennials.