Before & After: From Down-and-Out to Outdoor Living

With their family home coming in just under 1,000-square-feet, John and Jami knew they would need great outdoor spaces to act as extra living/dining/play rooms when the weather was nice. Therefore, their messy backyard was one of the first projects they tackled after purchasing their house. That’s the realtor’s photo above, and just wait until you see the backyard today…

John and Jami’s backyard now boasts a raised-bed vegetable garden instead of overgrown invasives, while tidy flower beds line walkways made of repurposed pavers from the original yard.

The deck was re-stained in a darker tone and now acts as an additional room, which makes entertaining easier for the family. Outdoor seating is made comfortable even during Kansas heatwaves by a large shade sail. When temperatures turn cooler, a patio heater keeps the outdoor space usable into the fall.

In the “before” photo up top, you’ll see a large concrete object in the center of the yard. It was once an anchor for a clothing line. With lots of elbow grease, the couple removed the concrete and established a small lawn area where their son, Parker, can play. The rest of the yard is made up of flower beds, including one that attracts butterflies.

See the rest of John and Jami’s small-but-fab family home: