Has anyone got an eye for backyard design?

So we have a huge expanse of just lawn in our backyard, which we loved when we bought the place because its so plain that we can pretty much landscape however we like. Since i spend all day every day either out there or looking out there, i'm really considering removing our shed and gradually building an alfresco area. The shed sits in the far left corner, and is really a waste of space, theres several square metres of wasted space behind it as well. We don't use it because its a red-back haven, and well anything important enough to keep, we store in the house (in the study or in our walk in robe). I've wanted to get rid of it for ages as it will really open up the back yard, and we don't have a proper alfresco area, except where the carport extends to the backyard. But my dh is hesitant as he thinks a shed will be a good selling point when we sell. We aren't planning to sell any time in the next 10 years so i think thats rather silly. If i was going to take re-sale potential in to consideration, i would think that a beautiful gazebo upon timber decking would be much more valuable!

I actually got this idea from selling houses australia, the landscape designer said a gazebo is great for deep plain yards, as it draws you outside.

What do you think?


https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...hp?photo=13312

oh and excuse the lawn, it had a very hard summer ;) but will come back in spring.

With two little boys think to a couple of years time when they are out in the yard playing football etc. We have a big backyard and I am glad we didn't make it smaller while the girls were younger as it gave them plenty of space to play and be safe.

If the shed is so bad maybe get more light into it as red backs don't like a lot of light.

Just a thought: if you go ahead with the entertainment area why not build a storage area at the same time to keep things like BBQ and shed things and then get rid of the shed. It could have special glass doors for safety and for light & to keep it safer from spiders.

These are just my rambling thoughts. :D