At last—the duplex backyards are done! We finished just in the nick of time: our first weeklong summer renters arrive this Saturday, and a few early guests are already staying on one side until then. There are lots of photos below, so I’ll keep the text focused. This is one of our favorite makeovers from the entire renovation.
To appreciate the transformation, here’s how the back of the house looked when we bought it:
Beyond the structural changes we made to the house, simple additions like grass, hardscaping, string lights, and little matching sheds with decorative oars completely changed the ambiance. I took one of these photos during a light drizzle and it still looks charming—proof that good lighting and thoughtful details go a long way.
The metal awnings and the secondhand diamond-pattern doors were big contributors to the yard’s new look. Since keypad locks, outdoor showers, and the sheds (where we store beach chairs, umbrellas, and toys) are all located at the back, we added a paver path on each side to guide guests. These were inexpensive pavers arranged in a herringbone pattern to elevate the design without breaking the bank. (Update: renters can use the front door; we leave a front door key and a shed key inside for convenience.)
The little backyard sheds were built by our contractor after we found that custom-built options were more affordable than pre-made ones. We matched the HardiePlank siding to the house and used metal roofing like the front porch. The shed doors got the same Pale Patina paint as the diamond doors and front shutters. We also bought decorative oars and painted them to coordinate with the house colors—definitely a personal favorite detail.
String lights are a simple but transformative feature, and we wired them to an outdoor timer so they come on for two hours each evening (guests can change the setting if they wish). We planted small Japanese maples in each yard for color, and the new 6′ pressure-treated privacy fence gives each side a cozy, secluded feel that will soften and weather over time.
I scored the patio furniture as a set during a sale—two sofas, four chairs, and two coffee tables—at a price that made it easy to justify furnishing both yards. The pieces are well-rated and comfortable with added accent pillows. We’ll teak-oil the wooden pieces seasonally and cover them in the off season. For light cushions, our routine is a gentle low-pressure wash each season to keep them fresh.
We keep two extra Adirondack chairs tucked in each shed for guests who want additional seating. Otherwise, the yards remain uncluttered so people can move around comfortably.
If you turn away from the shed you’ll see the diamond back door, which matches other back-of-house updates like the awnings and shutters. We added a small address plaque by each door so guests can easily identify which side they’re entering; it prevents the awkward moment of someone trying a code on the wrong door.
A pulled-back shot shows the dividing fence and the outdoor showers under the larger awning. The shower kits we used are contractor-recommended, and the surrounds are built from no-rot composite fencing boards. The shower bases are composite decking with gaps so water drains into a gravel-filled base below—this prevents pooling onto the patio and works really well.
Each outdoor shower stall is fully walled off from the other side to ensure privacy. We also installed plenty of hooks—eight outside on each side and a dozen more in the mudroom—so guests have convenient places to hang towels and gear.
The two yards are essentially mirror images, separated by a tall privacy fence to give renters a sense of their own space. But we deliberately designed the fence so the central section can open into a large 6′-wide gate, turning the two yards into one big shared space when relatives or friends rent both sides. We’re already excited to see that feature used this summer.
String lights deserve another mention here—they really do make the space magical when they glow overhead. We planted crepe myrtles along the side yards; they bloom through much of the summer, and we can’t wait to share photos when they’re in full flower.
From the back door on the left side, you get another cozy view of the yard with the same furniture set and more of those oars—yes, we still love them. The yard neighbors a shed that blocks sightlines into any nearby homes, so these spaces feel very private.
We relocated the new AC units into the side yards, which freed up space where the outdoor showers now sit and improved overall layout. For the back porches we chose no-rot composite decking and white railings; they’re essentially maintenance-free aside from occasional sweeping or blowing off leaves.
A design tip: when adding steps or a landing, make the steps as wide as the platform you’re stepping off. Wider steps feel more gracious and welcoming than narrow ones centered on a wide landing.
We also finished simple landscaping at the front of the duplex: three hydrangeas on each side and a boxwood by the stair rails. This historic downtown neighborhood is full of flowering plantings and is very walkable, so it’s nice to finally have tidy beds and grass out front instead of bare dirt. Fresh mulch always helps crisp things up, too.
This duplex has been one of our most challenging projects, but also one of the most rewarding. We’re so happy to be finished and excited to welcome guests. A full video walk-through is still coming, but for now we’ll revel in that triumphant “FINITO” feeling.
It’s been wonderful to see neighbors and visitors respond so positively to the transformation. When we bought this house in 2017, many locals didn’t love the look, but now people stop to take photos and compliment the renovation. That recognition has felt really meaningful.
P.S. You can find the rest of our duplex project updates—including kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, mudrooms, floor and backsplash tile work, and layout planning—archived in our duplex category on the blog. This renovation spans nearly two years of updates documented across a series of posts.
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