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Making an exterior area more user-friendly doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Armed with these backyard ideas for your outdoor space, you’ll see there are plenty of small, quick and affordable D.I.Y updates that can have a great impact on the appearance, usability and enjoyment of your alfresco zones. From adding a focal point with outdoor furniture and embarking on a garden bed makeover, to considering outdoor light and landscaping ideas, these tasks can be tackled in a weekend and will transform your outdoor living area.
A cosy space set up with outdoor furniture is an open invitation to relax outdoors and is one of the easiest backyard ideas to set in motion. Nothing beats a comfy occasional chair with a small coffee stand, says landscape designer Inge Jabara of Inge Jabara Landscapes (@ingejabaralandscapes).
“Style an existing outdoor chair with a new lick of paint or oil. Umbrellas tend to be the most cost-effective shade solution, and of course under a tree is free!” Choose options to match your garden’s existing colour palette. Another great way to create a beautiful little garden escape is to install a timber or steel arbour – add a chair or bench underneath and then train an evergreen climber or some climbing roses over the structure for a lovely effect. You could even consider a water feature or fountain for added interest.
If your fence is dull and bordering on being an eyesore, one simple way to boost your backyard design is to improve the view with paint and leafy interest. “I always design my boundary fences to be a dark colour – the green of the plants pop off it,” says Inge. Plant a mix of greenery in front of the fence or choose varieties of climber to grow up it. “Attach steel reo mesh to the fence using U-shaped nails, and train an evergreen climber like Chinese star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) to cover the trellis,” she suggests.
Replacing the rotary hoist or freestanding airer with a retractable or wall-mounted fold-down clothesline will instantly make your space look neater and less cluttered, says horticulturist and landscaper Matt Carroll (@hortiman). Installation is relatively straightforward, but varies depending on the model. “Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully,” advises Matt.
Shed some outdoor light on the situation. Installing solar bollard or stake lights is an affordable and effective way to illuminate a walkway – and a speedy garden design update. Simply choose a style and place the lights at equal intervals wherever needed – along the path to the front entrance or back door, and other key access or traffic areas.
In a sunny garden, backyard or deck, a gazebo, shade sail or cantilever umbrella is essential to create outdoor shade and help protect you in summer. “You can find them in a range of sizes to suit your space,” says Matt. “A cantilever umbrella is great over a small table setting or furniture, while a shade sail covers a larger area but needs to be attached to posts or an existing structure.”
Transform your outdoor space with the ultimate space-saving tip: give garden equipment a dedicated home with a shed. “If space is at a premium, consider making use of the awkward side access with a slimline shed,” suggests Matt Carroll. A shed not only solves the clutter problem, but can be styled into a cool workspace. If the ground is uneven or a dirt track, include a shed timber-flooring kit.
Lawns creeping onto paths or garden beds can make a yard look untidy, but Inge says this is easily solved by adding garden edging to your landscape design. “It creates a nice delineation between lawns and gardens and gives you an edge to whipper-snip against,” she says. Choose from bricks, plastic, hardwood timber, aluminium or galvanised steel. Plastic and steel options can be locked together and tapped into place, and can also accommodate different angles and curves of a garden bed.
Pretty up planters and garden beds and create a focal point with flowering annuals or perennials. “Use them as garden bed gap fillers, especially where you can see soil,” says Inge. To keep them looking their best, mulch well with a naturally derived mulch such as pine bark or pea straw, and stay on top of watering to prevent the soil from drying out.
After bigger backyard ideas that will make a huge difference to your outdoor living set-up? Expand the usability of your outdoor space with a modular deck. “Building one is relatively straightforward, as they’re available in flatpack kits,” says Matt. “They can be retrofitted to existing areas without the need to excavate, and can be cladded, painted or stained to match existing finishes.”
Spend less time working in the garden and more time enjoying your outdoor space by adding an automated irrigation system. It may sound overwhelming, but the benefits are huge. “Once installed, the timer will manage the flow of water and it can be set to regular times and days of the week,” explains Inge.
Read our guide on how to plan an irrigation system.
Photo Credit: Gap Images, Brigid Arnott, Louise Roche, GAP Images/Nicola Stocken, Cath Muscat
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.
