BACKYARD BLITZ: 3 BACKYARD UPDATES THAT WILL COMPLETE YOUR HOME

It is fair to say that the backyard is one of the most important parts of any Australian home. More and more, we see them as extensions of our houses and are using them as living and entertaining spaces. It is important therefore that you take as much care of the appearance and functionality of your backyard as you would the interior of your home. There are many ways that you can show off your own individual style in the backyard, from carefully chosen outdoor pavers, through the use of water features, to the inclusion of statues and sculptures. Here we show you our favourite ways of updating your backyard to make it a living space you can be proud of.

Furniture

One of the easiest ways to transform the look of your backyard is with a new outdoor furniture suite. Patio furniture has come a long way since the days of a simple, but uncomfortable, picnic table and benches. As more of us look towards an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, we have come to expect greater style and comfort in our outdoor furniture, without compromising its ability to cope with the elements. Designers and manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge. The variety of materials is wide — teak, cedar, rattan, wicker, and cast iron, to name but a few — so there is nothing to stop you from letting your individual taste shine through.

Exterior heating

We all like to spend time outside, but even with Australia’s beautiful climate there are times when it is just a little too cold to enjoy it properly. When you sit down to dine outdoors the temperature may be perfect, but as the evening wears on people start reaching for extra clothes and soon you are taking the party inside. How much nicer would it be to give the natural temperature a little boost with an outdoor heater and carry on enjoying the fresh air. Modern outdoor heaters come in a variety of type, such as chiminea (Mexican fireplace), gas-fired patio heaters, electric radiant heaters and braziers. Each one has its advantages. Find the one that suits your outdoor space and you can start to enjoy year round al fresco living.

Create defined areas

Your backyard is more than just one outdoor space — or at least it should be. Consider your outdoor entertaining area, kids play area, swimming pool and utilitarian area (shed, veggie patch etc) as separate and distinct parts of your backyard. Judicious use of grass and materials such as sandstone pavers will help you create definition between these different areas, which will improve both the aesthetics and functionality of your backyard. If you are making fundamental changes to the layout of your backyard, then think about your future needs too. You might not be able to afford to install a swimming pool at the moment, but if you think you will want one in the future you should plan where it will go and build your design around that. This could save a lot of money and upheaval in the future when you come to put it in.