We’ve shared a few backyards lately (remember the duplex backyards?), and now it’s time to show the beach house yard. It started out as an overgrown, uninspiring mess, but after a lot of planning and patience it’s become one of our favorite spots. The space is small, but by packing in a few clever features it feels private, functional, and cozy—exactly what our family needed. It’s dramatically better than where we started.
There’s a lot packed into this little yard. That density is actually the secret to making it feel secluded even though we’re surrounded by neighbors. Let’s rewind to October 2016, when we first bought the house and the backyard was a jungle.
A few weeks later we cleared some brush and encountered more than we expected—my worst case of poison ivy followed. But that rough start is long forgiven because now this backyard is one of the places we use most when we’re at the beach house.
We originally planned to finish the yard in fall 2017 after our contractor wrapped up interior work, but attention shifted to the duplex and the backyard stayed on the back burner. For the first months we lived there, this is what we saw out the back door: unfinished mud and chaos.
In early 2018, when the duplex schedule stalled, we revisited the yard. The old rusted shed came down and plans for a new one began—after a fair bit of debate about setbacks, property lines, and how much of the yard a new shed would claim. Ultimately we decided a shed was essential for storing beach gear and to keep sandy items out of the house.
By the time we agreed on details, the duplex work picked back up and this backyard was delayed again, leaving it muddy for nearly a year. That made us eager to finish the space—especially since muddy feet kept tracking into the house even after outdoor showers.
In the meantime we temporarily improved things with a hot tub we installed in August. It made the yard usable and felt like a bright spot while we waited to finish everything else.
Once the crew finished interior work at the duplex, we tackled three yards at once: three sheds and three patios. Bundling the projects saved money on materials and labor. Our shed was custom built on site to match the house—Hardiplank siding, the same pink paint (Mellow Coral by Sherwin Williams), and a tin roof. Surprisingly, custom building on site was cheaper than trucking in a pre-built shed of the same size.
By March the patio was ready and it was up to us to furnish and plant. With some strategic pieces and lots of greenery, the yard came together into a true little oasis.
The shed is one of my favorite design solutions. Because of setback rules, it had to sit a few feet further into the yard, creating a narrow strip of “dead space.” We turned that into an asset by placing the shed doors on the setback side and creating a paver path along that strip. This choice freed up the patio side for a dining table, avoided door swing conflicts, and let us pretty up the more visible faces of the shed—window box and lights included.
The shed measures 7′ x 11′ and fits the space nicely: big enough for storage, small enough to leave room for everything else and to create a cozy, tucked-in feel. It’s made a huge difference for storage since the beach house has no garage or basement.
We also added a small section of fence next to the shed to enclose the neighbor’s side and make the yards feel balanced. A large limb limited fence height, but once the new fence weathers it will match the existing fences and blend in.
Another important upgrade: the hot tub steps. The original plastic steps were small and unstable, so the patio crew built wide stone steps over a cinder block base and covered them with the same pavers. They make entering the tub easier, serve as a place to set drinks, and provide extra seating—now one of the most used spots in the yard.
For dining we needed seating for six between the shed and hot tub. We found a compact seven-piece patio set that fit the footprint and feels sturdy and comfortable. It gives us a proper dining area without crowding the circulation paths.
One accidental favorite is the ivy-covered, rusted shed on our neighbor’s side. Once an eyesore, the greenery now contributes to the secluded, gardened vibe we wanted—providing a lush backdrop we’re happy to keep.
Across from the hot tub is the outdoor shower. It’s the same vinyl kit we used at the duplex and has quickly become one of the most-used showers in the house. We trimmed some encroaching ivy but want more greenery to grow back over it—there’s something satisfying about a plant-framed shower.
Sherry created a small lounge area near the back stairs where we can recline, dry off, read, or nap. We searched for a low-profile lounge set that wouldn’t crowd the walkway and found a flexible configuration with a bench that doubles as a footrest or extra seating. It’s become a favorite spot to relax and hang out.
Planting is still a work in progress. We added boxwoods, lamb’s ear, elephant’s ear, sweet potato vine, rosemary, lavender, mint, and citronella in strategic spots. Some of those choices are aimed at deterring mosquitoes, and others are simply meant to soften edges and add texture. The window box on the shed has a built-in self-watering feature and should fill in nicely over time.
Below is one last before-and-after. This was the view down the side yard when we bought the house—overgrown and uninviting. Today it’s a neat, functional side path with a matching fence that gives privacy, lets our dog Burger roam safely, and provides a tidy look from the street once the wood weathers to match our neighbors’ fencing.
We love how the yard turned out. It finally feels like the beach house is complete—though there are always small projects left, like organizing the shed interior and carving out a kid crafting spot. For now, we’re thrilled to be using the space every chance we get.
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