At last — the duplex backyards are finally finished, just in time for our first weeklong summer renters arriving this Saturday. We even have a couple of early-birds staying on one side until then, since the timing worked out perfectly. There are lots of photos in this post, so I’ll keep the words focused — this is one of our favorite makeovers from the entire renovation.
To appreciate how far the back of the house has come, here’s what it looked like when we bought it:
Beyond the structural changes to the back of the house, adding grass, hardscaping, string lights and the cute sheds made a dramatic difference for ambiance. I took one of these photos in a light drizzle and it still looks so charming — that’s the power of string lights. They add instant warmth and make the backyard feel welcoming.
The metal awnings and the secondhand diamond-back doors play starring roles in the backyard makeover, so here are the specifics of what we did.
Because the keypad locks and outdoor showers are located at the rear of each unit — and the sheds store beach chairs and umbrellas we provide — we added a paver path leading to each backyard. These were inexpensive pavers, but the herringbone pattern lifted the look. The little sheds are both adorable and practical for guest storage.
Greenery made a huge impact — the same view before and after the trees leafed out and we planted grass shows how transformative landscaping can be. I also teak-oiled the front porch bench after the grass went in to deepen the wood tone; I plan to do the same for the backyard furniture and cover it in the off-season.
Our contractor built the sheds more affordably than ready-made options, and we clad them in matching HardiePlank siding with metal roofs to echo the front porch. The shed doors are painted to match the diamond-back doors and front shutters in Pale Patina by Sherwin Williams. Decorative oars (bought and painted to coordinate) are a small detail we adore — they add personality and a beachy vibe.
We installed string lights on an outdoor timer so they come on automatically each evening (guests can adjust the schedule if they prefer). We also planted Japanese maples in each tiny backyard for color as they grow. A 6′ pressure-treated privacy fence makes each yard feel cozy; over time the wood will mellow and blend in nicely.
The patio furniture was an excellent find — a large set of two sofas, four chairs and two coffee tables purchased during a sale. We split the set between the front porch and the two backyards, and added a few accent pillows for comfort. In the off-season we’ll teak oil and cover the pieces, and we pressure-wash cushions on a low setting each season to keep them fresh.
Each shed holds two extra Adirondack chairs if guests want more seating, but we keep those stored to avoid crowding the yard. And yes — we really love the oars. They’re a small, playful touch that ties the whole look together.
Near the back doors we added small address plaques to reduce confusion about which side of the duplex is which — useful for guests entering keypad codes and for deliveries. The dividing fence between the yards also conceals outdoor showers under a larger awning.
About the outdoor showers: we used a preferred shower kit and created a no-rot composite surround built from fencing material for durability. The shower base is composite decking with gaps that let water drain into a gravel-filled base so it won’t flood patios or pool areas. Each stall is fully enclosed for privacy, with an extra bottom board to block sight lines and plenty of hooks for towels and robes.
From above you can see how the two sides mirror each other, separated by the tall privacy fence. If two groups renting both sides want to socialize, the fence includes a large opening that can be revealed to create one shared yard — a feature we expect will get used by families and friends booking both units.
The left yard has the same furniture and string lights, more oars, and a backdrop of crepe myrtles that will flower all summer — we’re excited to share photos when they’re in full bloom. Both side yards already had established greenery, so our work focused on a few new plantings, grass and finishing touches.
We relocated the AC units to the side yards so they’re out of sight and built the back porches using no-rot composite for low maintenance. White railings coordinate with the outdoor showers and make the whole area feel cohesive. One practical tip: when adding steps or a landing, go as wide as the platform — it makes the entry feel more spacious and inviting.
We also finished the front landscaping with simple plantings — three hydrangeas and a boxwood on each side — and fresh mulch to tidy everything up. The historic downtown neighborhood is already full of flowering trees and walkable sidewalks, so it’s nice to replace dirt with green lawn and thoughtful plantings.
This duplex project has been one of our most challenging yet rewarding renovations, and we are so thrilled to be finished. A full video walk-through is coming, but for now we’re celebrating this FINITO moment and looking forward to seeing people enjoy these spaces.
We’re proud of how far this house has come. When we bought it in 2017, locals called it the “ugliest house on the street,” but after this transformation it’s turned heads — strangers even asked to photograph it for their partner. That kind of reaction makes all the hard work worth it.
If you want to see other finished rooms in the duplex — kitchens, bedrooms, baths, mudrooms and more — we’ve documented the process across multiple posts that cover layouts, tile choices and finishes. It’s been nearly two years of updates condensed into a little archive of progress photos and details.
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