We Aussies love the outdoor lifestyle, we live in a country with a mild climate that is conducive to the outdoors and a portion of your property is the outdoor living space. As we spend so much time in our garden, it makes perfect sense to make it a place that is suitable for rest and relaxation, and with that in mind, here is our guide to transforming your outdoor living space.
Table of Contents
Garden Design & Layout
We recommend consulting with a company such as Outdoor InDesign to design the perfect garden that meets your needs. They have a dedicated team of outdoor designers to bring you the ideal outdoor living space design. Also, they have professionals who know how to take a design and turn it into reality, so you won’t have to do anything once the design is complete.
Perfect Proportions
Ideally, you should use one-third of your backyard space as a terrace, which could be in the form of timber decking or natural stone, whichever you prefer. Of course, this is merely a guideline; you could go larger or smaller, depending on the size of your space and your needs. Spend time with the designer until you are perfectly happy with the layout, then sit back and enjoy life as the team transforms your outdoor space.
Trees & Shrubs
Many people prefer evergreens, as there are no leaves to clear up, and you do need to choose species carefully to ensure that they are suitable for the climate in your area. The landscape contractor would have a lot of knowledge on this subject and can advise you as to species that are suitable.
Landscaping
You might prefer a flat area, but even if your back garden is flat, you can contour it by moving soil around. A landscape gardener is highly skilled at contouring areas, so sit down with the expert, and they can show you what is possible with what you currently have. You could, for example, build a nice rockery in one corner by excavating a pond in another part of the garden.
Lawns
Most homeowners in Australia want a well-manicured lawn, and a leading outdoor design company has access to the best quality turf and can create an idyllic lawn, plus they can instruct you on how best to care for the lawn. Of course, a new lawn needs to be watered daily, and the first cut should be about 2 weeks after the lawn is laid.
Flower Beds & Rockeries
Adding a rockery and a few flower beds will add some colour to your outdoor space; choose carefully, and you can enjoy full blooms every spring. The contractor would have a lot of insight into the best flowers for the climate in your area, and you can have a mixture of flowers and small shrubs. Spread wood chippings to avoid weed growth and add some fertiliser every few months to ensure optimum growth.
Essential Shade
Of course, you need shade over your patio/terrace, and this can be achieved in a number of ways; you could buy a few cantilever umbrellas or, even better, invest in a permanent roof, or even a fully retractable roof that gives you the best of both worlds. Another idea is to install an awning that can be set in any position you desire. Talk to the outdoor contractor and see what he thinks.
Pathways
One great idea for pathways is crazy paving, which is easy to install; simply visit your local garden centre and buy up a few broken pavers at a reduced price, and you can create paths with some character. Another option is to use complete pavers, or you could shore up the edges and pour ready-mixed concrete.
Garden Lighting
Why not order a dozen solar garden lights that you can simply stick into the ground, and when the light dims, the lights automatically come on. That way, you don’t have to mess with electricity, and these units last a lifetime and are very cheap. You can order them online or visit your local garden centre.
Think Garden Maintenance
Some people love to work in their garden, while others find gardening a chore; think about this when you are designing the space, and you can create a minimum-maintenance garden if that is your thing. You could, for example, choose artificial grass, which never needs cutting or watering and always looks fresh, which saves you having to buy a lawnmower.
We hope that this short article gives you a few ideas on how to transform your outdoor living space, and by hiring a specialist company, you can be sure of an excellent job!
