We Bought the House With the Awkward Sloped Yard—Here’s How We Turned It Into Our Favorite Spot
A couple bought a house with a sloping backyard that felt exposed and unusable. With a few strategic plantings and a raised deck, they created a cozy, protected outdoor room they now use daily.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Backyard
Direction
South
The Problem
The yard sloped away from the house, leaving the patio feeling exposed and open to the street. We rarely used it—it felt like sitting in a fishbowl. Plus, the wind made it uncomfortable even on nice days.
What They Tried
We built a raised deck that leveled out the seating area, then added layered plantings on three sides: tall evergreens for a backdrop, flowering shrubs for color, and a low hedge along the front to define the space without blocking the view.
What Happened
The yard went from a windy, awkward slope to a warm, enclosed retreat. We now eat breakfast outside on weekends, and the wind is almost completely blocked. It feels like a secret garden, even though we're in a normal suburban neighborhood.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 离 ☲ · Li |
|---|---|
| Direction | South |
| Element | fire |
What works best here
Li (9) · Fire. South should feel more open and lower than North for visual balance.
Place: low-profile furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces, warm lighting.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Sunstone — placed where it catches natural light, like a windowsill or console table
Mirrors work exceptionally well here — they reflect light and make the room feel larger
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
四围要高来朝护，前案朝迎亦高舞。
English Translation
This classical text on site selection describes the ideal home as being embraced by four elevated features—like a seat with armrests. The front should rise gently, welcoming. It’s about creating a protected, harmonious setting.
2. About the Source
撼龙经 by Yang Yunsong · China · Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
The Dragon-Shaking Classic is a foundational text of the Form School of Chinese geomancy, compiled during the Tang Dynasty. It systematically describes how mountain formations, water flows, and land contours create spatial environments that influence human settlements. Its principles about terrain shapes and landscape energy continue to inform modern site analysis and spatial planning.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The principle here is about enclosure and protection. Psychologically, we feel safer and more relaxed in spaces that are defined and sheltered on multiple sides. The raised deck and plantings created a 'back' and 'arms' for the seating area, reducing wind exposure and giving a sense of intimacy. This matches the classical idea of a site being 'embraced'—modern environmental psychology confirms that enclosed outdoor spaces are perceived as more restful and are used more frequently.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
International Feng Shui School
One of America's most prominent Feng Shui training and consulting organizations, headquartered in California. Offers full-spectrum solutions from commercial Feng Shui surveying to residential energy layout.