Honestly, I hear you on the bricks. There’s a fine line between “industrial chic” and “I ran out of ideas.” In my experience, height doesn’t have to mean stacking things up—sometimes, it’s about drawing the eye upward with structure or greenery. Trellises made from scrap wood or even old metal fencing panels can add vertical interest without looking thrown together. If you’re set on planters, maybe try disguising the bricks a bit—wrap them in burlap, or paint them a uniform color so they look intentional, not just leftover.
I’m a bit skeptical about anything that looks too DIY, but with a little effort, you can make cheap materials look like a design choice. Just don’t overdo it. Sometimes less is more, especially on a flat lot where clutter stands out fast. I’ve seen people use cinder blocks as plant stands, but they painted them to match the house trim, and it actually worked. Maybe worth a shot?
There’s a fine line between “industrial chic” and “I ran out of ideas.”
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen too many yards where the “upcycled” look just ends up feeling like a pile of leftovers. But you’re right—paint or even just a little uniformity goes a long way. I did something similar with some old concrete pavers, gave them all a coat of charcoal paint, and suddenly they looked like they belonged together.
One thing I’d add: don’t underestimate the power of vertical gardens on a flat lot. Even a simple wire panel with climbing beans or sweet peas can break up the monotony without looking cluttered. And if you’re worried about things looking too DIY, sometimes it’s about the details—matching hardware, consistent colors, or even just keeping things tidy.
I get being skeptical about cinder blocks and bricks, but sometimes those “cheap” materials hold up better than the fancy stuff. Just takes a bit of vision (and maybe some trial and error). Less is definitely more, but don’t be afraid to try something bold if it feels right for your space.
I get being skeptical about cinder blocks and bricks, but sometimes those “cheap” materials hold up better than the fancy stuff. Just takes a bit of vision (and maybe some trial and error).
Yeah, I hear you on that. I was pretty hesitant about using cinder blocks for anything visible in our yard—just felt like it would look half-finished or too much like a construction site. But after pricing out some of the “nicer” options, I ended up giving them a shot for a raised bed. Painted them a deep green to match the trim on the house, and honestly, they look way better than I expected. Plus, they’re not going anywhere, which is more than I can say for some of the composite stuff we looked at.
The vertical garden idea’s interesting. Our lot is dead flat and I’ve been struggling with how to add any kind of height or interest without making it feel cluttered. Tried a couple trellises last summer—one with beans, one with morning glories—and it did help break things up. Still feels like there’s something missing though. Maybe it’s just patience; everything looks sparse when it’s new.
One thing I’d push back on a little: sometimes “uniformity” can go too far and make everything feel sterile. We tried matching all our planters at first, but it just looked... bland? Ended up mixing in a few oddball pots and it actually helped. Guess there’s a balance between cohesion and character.
Anyway, totally agree that less is more on a flat lot. Every time I try to cram in another “feature,” it just ends up looking busy. Still figuring out what works, but keeping things tidy and not overthinking every detail seems to help.
Building On Level Ground: Step-By-Step Tips For Making The Most Of A Flat Lot
You nailed it about cinder blocks—people underestimate them because they’re “basic,” but honestly, I’ve seen high-end projects where they’re the backbone and nobody’s the wiser. Paint and placement go a long way. I’d take a solid, well-installed block wall over some of those flimsy prefab kits any day.
On the vertical garden front, I get the struggle. Flat lots can feel like a blank canvas that’s almost too blank. I’ve found that even a single, well-placed structure—like a pergola or an arbor—can anchor the space and give you a focal point to build around. Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, just something with a bit of heft. Ever tried grouping taller planters or using staggered heights? Sometimes just breaking up the sightlines makes everything feel more intentional.
I do think you’re right about uniformity being overrated. Too much matching and suddenly it’s like you’re living in a catalog spread—nice, but no soul. Curious if you’ve experimented with any built-in seating or low walls to add dimension? That’s one trick I keep coming back to for flat yards.
Too much matching and suddenly it’s like you’re living in a catalog spread—nice, but no soul.
Funny, I’ve actually had clients request that “catalog” look, and it always feels a bit sterile to me. I get the appeal of built-in seating and low walls, but sometimes I think they can box in a flat lot even more. I’ve had luck using movable benches or even oversized planters on casters—keeps things flexible if you want to change up the vibe later. Flat lots can surprise you if you let them evolve a bit instead of locking everything down right away.
