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Love outdoor living but don’t own your home? Enter the renter’s garden! Whether you are in a house, townhouse or apartment, these backyard ideas for rental properties will help you create a space to relax and dine undercover and in the open air, and nurture plants for pleasure and plate. There’s a vast range of materials, accessories and gardenware to help you create your own special outdoor space. Portability is obviously important with backyard landscaping ideas, as you want to be able to take your garden with you when you relocate, so products and outdoor furniture that are lightweight and able to be easily disassembled should be top of your list. Don’t repress your ‘inner landscaper’ or deny yourself the vegie patch you’ve always yearned for, just because you’re renting. The great outdoors is there for all!
The first area to concentrate on is creating an outdoor living space. There are many outdoor furniture options which are easy to assemble – and also easy to pack up and transport – from lounges and chairs to outside dining tables. For balconies and courtyards, look at cafe-style tables and chairs. In larger backyards, consider trestle table and bench combinations. To cater to your relaxation needs, garden designer Lyndall Keating (gardensociety.com.au) recommends lounges with colourful cushions and a small group of tables. And to make a space feel larger and brighter, she suggests incorporating an outdoor mirror to create a focal point. If you have a paved courtyard or balcony garden space, then it’s just a case of furnishing and decorating the space. But if the existing ground surface is grass or concrete, you could seek permission from your landlord to lay paving or modular timber decking, both of which are fairly easy D.I.Y. jobs. Or you could use the transformative power of paving and concrete paint – again, with your landlord’s approval. Where an area has overhead protection, outdoor rugs can enhance the look of the space, but bring it inside when not in use. To create privacy from neighbours, add screens and planter boxes, says Lyndall. “Fill them with tall plants such as lilly pillies, which can tolerate a range of conditions.”
Don’t underestimate the wow factor of outdoor lighting – a set of string lights are a cost-effective way to instantly transform a small backyard or balcony garden into a tranquil oasis. “Battery-operated fairylights and festoon lighting are a low-cost way to make an outdoor space more homely,” says Lyndall. “Include lanterns and hurricane vases with candles to add some style.” For added safety, choose flameless candles suited for outside use. And simply pick them up and go when your lease is up!
A sun-drenched outdoor space might be nice in winter but, when the weather warms up, there are plenty of backyard ideas to introduce non-permanent shade. Portable gazebos offer a temporary shade solution that is easy to assemble and simple to move out of rental properties when needed. Plus, some designs also include outdoor lighting, with LEDs to light up your evenings. Other effective garden shade options include bistro blinds (which can also help to enclose and weatherproof an outdoor room), shade sails and awnings attached to exterior walls – just remember to seek approval from your landlord before you install them.
For many people, gardens are an opportunity to grow their own food – and living in a rental is no barrier to this. There are plenty of small backyard ideas to get you planting and reaping the rewards, and the good news is you can always take a large pot, container or potted plants with you when you move! Many of the portable garden beds available are ideal for balconies, courtyards and patios.
“A raised garden bed with wheels can be easily moved around to suit your space, and is ideal for growing flowers, herbs and smaller vegetables.” Where space is tight, consider a vertical garden that doesn’t need fixing to a wall. “The Holman GreenWall Mobile Garden Kit offers vertical gardening on a mobile frame and is compact enough for a balcony. “It also comes with its own watering system.” To get a head start on the growing season, or beat the heat or frost, greenhouses for small spaces can be set up just about anywhere and packed down easily. Now all that’s left is to grab some potting mix and decide what to grow.
Looking for more backyard gardening ideas? If your passion extends to trees, you can indulge in a few container-friendly species to pop in large pots (and take with you when you move). You’ll need a large lightweight container, at least 40cm in diameter and 50cm deep. Choose smaller varieties such as Japanese maples and camellias for shaded spots, or edible varieties of fruit trees like dwarf citrus for sunny locations. The lemon myrtle, with wonderful, scented leaves, is a lovely native option.
Check out our outdoor furniture buying guide to help you choose the right seating.
Photo Credit: Louise Roche, Belinda Merrie
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
