Whether you need some extra play space for your expanding family or want to create the perfect entertaining area to host your friends, or simply want to refresh your outdoor area – there are unlimited reasons to renovate your backyard. But where to start? We’ve created the ultimate backyard renovation guide to help you bring your dream space to life.
Design: choosing colour and style
First, consider your existing colour scheme and style. Do you currently have a ‘theme’ that runs throughout your home? Perhaps you have a modern contemporary aesthetic, featuring sleek furniture and minimalist style. Or you may have a more rustic style, featuring warm, earthy tones and natural textures. An outdoor space is an extension of your home and should therefore emulate your pre-existing design. This will ensure the transition from indoors to outdoors is seamless and connected. So, whether you have a country cottage or a Mediterranean escape, it’s important to honour the style of your home in your backyard design, to maintain continuity.
Function: how to utilise your space
Think about how you want to best utilise your backyard to get the most out of your space. Are you an outdoor entertainer, or do you prefer the quiet solitude of your own backyard – design your backyard to suit your needs. It’s also important to think about where the sun falls during the morning compared with the afternoon; this will help you decide on the best placement of everything from your washing line to your lawn and pavers. One way to do this is to break up your backyard into separate, functional spaces, or ‘zones’.
The entertainer
To create the ideal entertaining space, consider the key functions of your backyard area; somewhere to cook, make drinks, and have guests dine all in an ambient outdoor space. An overhead structure such as a pergola will protect your guests from inclement weather while giving your outdoor space a more intimate feeling. Customise your pergola with the addition of insulated roofing, lighting and fans to offer the perfect atmosphere.
The perfect pairing for your pergola is a set of outdoor blinds, giving the option to close off your dining space and create an additional room to entertain in.
Decking provides an even flooring solution for your alfresco furniture, outdoor kitchen or mini bar, suiting a wide range of block variations and sizes. It also helps to separate the dining area of your backyard from the other zones in a subtle way, bringing a warmth to the space.
Relaxing retreat
An essential element of your outdoor relaxation area is a green space. Adding greenery to your outdoor environment can have an almost therapeutic effect, leading to feelings of calm and reducing stress. If you don’t have enough room for a lawn or trees, consider alternatives such as a vertical garden or planter boxes. These options offer seamless ways to integrate beautiful plants and greenery into your backyard without taking up a huge amount of space.
Create your own getaway at home with the addition of a swimming pool. Great for young couples, parents and grandparents alike, pools can create an impressive focal point in your backyard. Whether you are looking to use your pool for laps or leisure, there is a shape and style to suit your budget. Completely tailor your swimming pool by adding seating for comfort, water jets for activity and lighting to enjoy your pool well into the night.
Play time
Transform your backyard into the perfect play area. Consider factors such as the size you have to work with, what kind of activity the area will be used for, and the level of maintenance that will best suit your lifestyle.
Artificial grass is a great way to add greenery to your backyard without the high maintenance of lawn. Bolstered for wear and tear, artificial grass is a great alternative for families with young children and pets. Drainage holes expertly placed across the lawn means that the surface dries much faster than natural grass would – which means play time can continue even after a rainy day! It also helps to create a separate space dedicated to play time, while looking realistic and lush.
Budget allocation
When it comes to renovations of any kind, it’s important to set a budget. Having a limit will help you to decide where to focus more of your spend, ensuring the areas that are really important to you get the necessary budget allocated.
Do your research before you start making purchases to get a good understanding of what’s available that will suit your style and backyard goals. Consider where you might need to undertake cost-saving efforts; including a few trending pieces in your backyard renovation is a great way to keep your design fresh. Bear in mind, these pieces are likely to be temporary and should have less budget allocated to them. Long term investments however, such as your pergola, tiling or decking are important areas to get right to ensure they stand the test of time.
Timing
The time taken to complete a backyard renovation is as unique as each backyard itself. Consider the size of your space, and the scope of the project you are undertaking – these factors will contribute to the length of time it will take to plan and complete your renovation.
Another consideration is when you plan on starting your renovation; this can greatly affect the timeline of your project. Factors such as weather can impede progress and time of year can affect the supply of materials. It’s important to allow for these within your renovation timeline.
Coordinating supplies and tradespeople can seem like a daunting task for many, especially for your first renovation project. Having a team of experts handle your backyard renovation every step of the way allows you to focus on the design and requirements of your new backyard. Australian Outdoor Living have one team handle the entire process from start to finish, leaving you to simply enjoy your freshly renovated backyard space.
If you’re ready to begin your backyard renovation, fill out the free measure and quote form at the top of this article to get started!
Australian Outdoor Living is passionate about helping people love their life outdoors. We offer a range of products, including:
