Just when you’d think we were done with backyards (we shared the duplex backyards last week), we’re back with another one — this time at the beach house. The transformation here has been a long time coming. The yard started out overgrown and uninspiring, and now it’s one of our favorite spots. It’s small, but every inch feels functional, private, and cozy for our family. The difference is dramatic.
We squeezed a surprising amount of function into a compact footprint. That density is what created the secluded, cozy feeling—despite being surrounded by neighbors. To appreciate the change, here’s a flashback to October 2016 when we first bought the house and the backyard was an overgrown mess.
A few weeks later we’d cleared out the worst of the brush and weeds, though that cleanup gifted me one of the worst cases of poison ivy I’ve ever had. #memories
Despite the rocky start, this yard is now one of our favorite places. We’re out here almost every night when we’re in Cape Charles.
The makeover took longer than planned. We originally intended to renovate the backyard in fall 2017 after the house interior was finished, but another project distracted us and the yard got back-burnered. For the first few months in the finished house this was the view out the back door—muddy and unfinished.
When the town delayed our duplex plans in early 2018, we returned attention to the beach house yard. Sean and his crew cleared the vegetation and removed the old rusted metal shed, and we started planning a replacement. There was some debate about the new shed because setback rules pushed it further into the yard than the old one, but in the end we decided a shed was necessary to store sandy beach gear and other outdoor items. Sherry ultimately agreed it was the right call.
By the time we settled on a plan, the duplex team was back at work and the beach house yard was left in the mud for nearly a year. That made finishing it a bigger priority — especially when muddy feet and sandy kids kept tracking through the house even after using the outdoor shower.
We temporarily improved things that summer by buying a hot tub. It helped us enjoy the yard while we waited to finish the rest, though the surrounding area was still just grass and mud. We laid a few pavers to keep mud at bay, but it was far from finished.
Once the duplex interior work wrapped earlier this year, we were finally able to tackle both backyards around the same time. Bundling the projects helped us save money by ordering materials in bulk, and we completed three sheds and three patios in one coordinated effort.
The new shed was custom-built on site by Sean’s crew using HardiePlank siding, the same pink paint (Mellow Coral by Sherwin-Williams) as the house, and a matching tin roof. Surprisingly, custom building it in place was cheaper than trucking in a pre-built unit of the same size.
After the patio crew finished, it was up to us to bring in furnishings and greenery. With a few strategic pieces and lots of plants, the yard became a cozy oasis.
One strategic decision was the shed’s placement. Because of setback rules, the new shed had to be moved several feet over, which created a narrow “dead zone” along one side. We turned that into an advantage by placing the shed doors on the inset side, opening onto a narrow paver path. That left the patio side free for a dining table and let us decorate the visible fronts with a large window box and lights. The shed measures 7′ x 11′ — an odd size but chosen to maximize privacy while leaving space for the rest of the yard.
We also added a small section of fence to close a gap for our neighbor. It had to be lower than the lattice fence because of a tree limb, but once it weathers it will blend right in. The consistency with neighboring fences helps the yard feel balanced and private.
Another big upgrade was the hot tub steps. The crew built wide, sturdy stone steps over a cinderblock base and covered them with pavers. They make entering the hot tub easy, provide a place to set drinks, and double as extra seating — a feature the kids love and that will be handy for gatherings.
For dining, we picked a compact set that seats six and fits perfectly between the shed and hot tub. It was a smart purchase that maximizes function without overcrowding the space.
A happy accident: our neighbor’s old metal shed, now covered in ivy, adds to the secluded, green feel of the space. We actually like the way it softens the corner and contributes to the tucked-in vibe.
The outdoor shower sits opposite the hot tub and has quickly become one of the most-used showers. We’ve trained some ivy to grow nearby to enhance the feeling of showering in greenery, and we’ve kept the area tidy with hooks, a light, and a welcome mat.
Sherry created a lounge area beside the back stairs where we can recline, dry off, read, or nap with the dog. We searched for pieces that wouldn’t obstruct the walkway and landed on a versatile lounge set that functions as seating, a footrest, or a daybed when configured with the bench pushed in or out.
We’re still tuning the plantings. Boxwoods and lamb’s ear planted in front of the shed have already doubled in size, and we installed a window box with a self-watering system. We planted elephant’s ear for height, sweet potato vine for trailing, and rosemary to help with mosquitoes. We also added lavender, mint, citronella, and peppermint in various pots as a natural deterrent—worth a try even if the results are mixed.
Here’s another look at the finished yard. Small changes — a shed in the right spot, a thoughtful dining layout, comfortable lounge seating, stone steps for the hot tub, and lots of greenery — turned a muddy, awkward space into a compact, useful backyard that feels private and well-loved.
We’re not done totally—there are always tweaks to improve storage, create a kids’ crafting spot inside, and organize the shed interior—but the yard now functions beautifully and makes the beach house feel much more complete. We’re thrilled with the result and spend as much time out there as we can.
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