The humble backyard is multitalented, functioning as an open plan kitchen\/dining room, a place to grow herbs, or somewhere just to relax and read a book. <\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps it\u2019s this versatility that has led our backyards and courtyards to capture our hearts and minds.<\/p>\n As carpenter and builder, Dean Ipaviz sums up, \u201cLet\u2019s face it, the backyard is a huge part of our Australian lifestyle and it\u2019s often a real influencing factor when purchasing your property\u201d.<\/p>\n With backyards getting smaller, a great layout is becoming even more important. Check out our list of current landscaping trends, and time-honoured design ideas, to help you get the most from\u00a0\u201cout the back\u201d.<\/p>\n Building in key elements of your courtyard like seating, storage and your BBQ will make your space feel much larger, while helping to tie the design together visually.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can create a beautiful BBQ area that\u2019s built in with some storage and plumbed into the natural gas line,\u201d says Dean, which will function much like a second kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cInstall an L-Shaped seat that\u2019s really going to tie the entertaining area in.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re upgrading your backyard, look for ways to reuse or recycle existing elements.<\/p>\n Create an outdoor area that\u2019s attractive and functional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI love incorporating something old into a new design\u201d, says Dean.<\/p>\n In addition to being good for the environment, this can be great for the hip pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can try and make your palette work to something that allows you to do a bit of DIY, and allows you to use items that are second-hand, that\u2019s going to help reduce your costs,\u201d\u00a0says\u00a0<\/span>Dean<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Something as simple as painting<\/a> an old fence black, and training a vine to grow on it, can turn it into a bold new feature.<\/p>\n If training a vine sounds too time consuming, a vertical garden can be an instant winner, and can make a great entry-level DIY project.<\/p>\n All you need to create your own hanging garden is a spare fence or wall, a frame connected to said fence \u2013 5cm x 5cm wire mesh works great \u2013 and pots to hang from it. Why not continue the sustainability theme by making the pots yourself from recycled plastic bottles?<\/p>\n Vertical gardens can also be created using a kit, or by hanging vertical planters that feature a series of pockets stacked one on top of the other, which act as pots.<\/p>\n An outdoor fire pit will help you utilise your backyard or courtyard year-round.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Features like vertical gardens have a wow factor, but to get the most enjoyment from your upgraded backyard day-to-day, pay attention to what\u2019s underfoot. As a general rule, keep everything on one level, but break up textures with decking, paving and grassed areas.<\/p>\n And\u00a0don\u2019t forget drainage, \u201cRun an agricultural<\/span> pipe to get that drainage sorted so you don\u2019t have flooding<\/a> in the backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n Keep what\u2019s underfoot on one consistent level, but break up the design by raising other features \u2013 garden beds, seating, even a water feature.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The golden rule of water features is to keep them simple. Think a pond; not a fountain.<\/p>\n A small pond, with a pebbled bottom, a few plants and even some goldfish, can be surprisingly cheap and easy to maintain, requiring only the occasional filter clean.<\/p>\n Design your pond so you can sit on the edge and observe the self-sustaining ecosystem within\u2013\u00a0<\/span>watching some fish glide around lazily, with a soundtrack of gently running water, can be the perfect meditation at the end of a busy day.<\/p>\n Finally, the essential touch to set off your garden: understated lighting.<\/p>\n Lighting can come from various sources, including solar garden lights, outdoor torches, fairy lights and even rope lights.<\/p>\n For the ultimate in ambience, and to get more use out of your courtyard in winter, consider a fire pit.<\/p>\n When done well, your back garden can add another highly functional living zone to your home, which you\u2019ll be able to enjoy all year round.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n [ad_2]Build in for space and style<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSweet sustainability<\/h2>\n
Vertical garden<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nGetting underfoot<\/h2>\n
Featuring water<\/h2>\n
Light it up!<\/h2>\n
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