Aussies love their outdoor spaces and the backyard is our haven from the stresses and tribulations of our daily lives. We embrace our backyards wholeheartedly, regularly inviting friends and family over for a big BBQ, maybe a swim in the pool, an afternoon watching footy on the outdoor TV, and generally lounging around and relaxing at home.
So if your backyard could do with a serious makeover – where do you start? First of all, you need to know all of the specific regulations that will affect your outdoor renovation, otherwise, you can be in a great deal of trouble. Next, take a good hard look at your outdoor space and decide what you like and don’t like, and what is and isn’t possible.
Creating a plan on paper is always a good idea because you can see where everything fits, and prevent any huge mistakes before they happen! Some mistakes can be costly, so give due consideration to your plan before you start calling in the backhoe and demolishing your backyard!
If you are ready for a backyard makeover at your home, here are our top tips for making the whole process run smoothly.
Identify your colour scheme
The colour scheme you chose for your outdoor spaces will be determined by your home’s internal and external colour palette. This is because you will want your outdoor entertainment spaces to flow naturally from your internal spaces, so continuing with the same palette is a sensible idea.
Decking for your home
You might not have any decking at all or need to replace your existing decking because it is old and rotten or no longer suits your lifestyle. One or more decks will help to define your outdoor spaces and you can choose from hardwood timber or the newer composite materials. Even pavers or bricks can be used instead of decking, depending on your budget and your design style.
Privacy and shade
You can create a stand-alone outdoor pergola with a variety of different screens or use large plants, such as clumping bamboo to provide privacy from neighbours. A popular choice when it comes to furnishing our backyards is the wide range of outdoor shade options available today, such as wind-rated cantilever umbrellas and retractable outdoor awnings. These additions not only provide shade and protection from wind and rain, they have the ability to compliment your landscape design and furnishings. Other options include using large pots filled with palms to provide both privacy and shade for your seating areas, building a hedge or installing outdoor blinds that are designed for external areas.
Pool fencing
With older pools, you might want to completely revamp the pool itself, the pool surrounds and even replace the pool fence. If you want to do any renovations around your pool, always check the pool regulations that are applicable, so you don’t have to re-do your renovations to comply with local laws. For example, you can’t have outdoor furniture and pots within a certain distance of the fence, as this prevents children from climbing over the pool fence.
Outdoor kitchens
Many Aussies are now investing in an outdoor kitchen complete with sink, fridge, stove and food preparation areas, and even pizza ovens, which is fabulous if you have space. However, there is nothing wrong with simply renovating your BBQ area and patio with aa table, chairs and perhaps a drinks trolley, like this one, to make it more inviting and functional for everyone.
Landscaping makeovers
If your garden has seen better years with fences falling down, retaining walls crumbling, and dead plants and grass everywhere, then it might be time for a makeover. Always spend big on a number of large focal plants, filling in with smaller cheaper plantings and don’t forget to consider shade plants. If you have a large backyard, you can also consider creating one or more meandering paths through your garden, ending in small magical areas with outdoor seating for two!
Outdoor furnishings
Once you have the landscaping, plants and hard surfaces organised, it’s time to think about your furnishings. This can be the most exciting time for many home owners when they start to decide how they will furnish their outdoor entertainment areas. There are plenty of options available, but most people want tables and chairs to create an outdoor dining area, and daybeds and sofa lounges for relaxation. Of course, there are sun lounges for around the pool and all of the cushions you need to soften the spaces as well.
Costs of your backyard renovation
The cost of renovating your backyard can be as small or as large as your budget allows. Everyone’s needs are different and there are always changes you can make that will improve a space, regardless of the size of your budget.
For more information on any of our outdoor furniture and accessories, call Daydream Leisure Furniture on 07 5449 9336 (Noosa) 07 5493 4277 (Warana) or complete our online enquiry form.