10 City Backyards to Inspire Your Outdoor Oasis

The backyard in my new house is about 300% larger than the backyard of any rental I’ve had in Philadelphia. It’s an empty slate; 100 square feet of concrete and nearly 300 square feet of dirt. We haven’t yet decided exactly what we’re going to do – we’re tossing around ideas of slate or bluestone pavers in one area and a raised cedar deck in another, mixed with trellises and raised garden beds and sod strips. Whatever we end up with, I’ve been dreaming of outdoor rooms since we moved in.