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Updating a small tired patio

8 years ago

Our daughter has a small oblong shaped (24 sm) back patio with red brick paving, red brick half height retaining wall, red brick back of house , plus small garden bed , dark blue painted corrugated fencing and dark blue painted pergola/ with clear roof sheets . It is pretty up inviting, gets midday / afternoon sun
We want to brighten it, make it contemporary and inviting but don't know where to start . She hasn't got a big budget but wants to make it a place to hang out with friends and relax . Any suggestions where to start ?

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Comments (5)

georgi02
8 years ago
You can actually do a lot with a little if your prepared to have a go and get a bit experimental.
- Firstly, get the high pressure hose out and some outdoor cleaner to get rid of any moss build up on the paving and any of the walls and get a hose caddy/cart that when entertaining can be moved out of the way. These things will instantly make it feel better and tidier.
- use the vertical spaces available with hanging baskets with colour from the roof beams (use light weight baskets and potting medium) and window troughs that you can use with hooks off the fence (again, use light weight potting medium and troughs so as not to interfere with the structural integrity of the fence and beams).
- Use screen panels or lattice to hide any tanks/plumbing that exists and use well behaved climbers to continue to cover it.
- Look for some old outdoor timber settings to recycle by painting it up in either white or bright colour(s) (remember you can use outdoor cushions to introduce colour too) and then add hurricane candle holders - this looks inviting and casual.
- Look at your local hardware for either solar or electrical outdoor bollard lighting to make the space inviting of an evening (don't forget fairy/icicle lights for parties and/or Xmas) - look around for specials as you can save a bunch if your local Bunnings/Masters/Mitre 10 has a sale.
- Shade sails are an option if the area gets unpleasantly hot can also be used under the transparent roofing as is inserting some hooks into the beams and jerry-rigging a canvas awning that can be put up and taken down in minutes (just remember that you'll need eyelets in the canvas for the hooks to go through) are easy and cheap. The same idea can be done with net/muslin and LED fairy lights for evening parties.
- Have a colourful gorilla tub to do double duty around the house - gardening, laundry and as a good sized esky.
- If budget permits and there isn't already one - get an outdoor powerpoint - it's so handy for lights, the high pressure hose etc.
Sian Sampey
8 years ago
Start by figuring out what she wants out of the area the most.
An oasis of plants?
Easy care area?
Heaps of seating?
Chill out zone with hammocks?

& work to achieve that goal first, then the rest will come.

If it was me I'd put a nice limestone coloured capstone over the length of the retaining wall covering the garden bed & make it into bench seating, & I'd paint the pergola in above light cream to match & brighten the space.
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deanli14
8 years ago
Hi mcmckelly. This is a not a great spot is it! It seems very enclosed, dark and dated.
Vertical surfaces- Not usually a fan but both the house wall and little retaining wall need painting or bagging. The fence could do with a more modern colour too. You need to mesh the colour(s) with what's inside. Unsightly bits- Can you disguise the hot water? Wall art- Add some pieces centered on the window views - take up less space than plants and less maintenance. Shade- Punch some eyelets into outdoor fabric and drape on hooks screwed into pergola frame. Furniture- so many choices! Start with gumtree and have fun with it. Good luck
spmm
8 years ago
The power lead is giving me the horrors :) easy to get a longer one and rig it higher if an electrician is out of the budget. Cup hooks are so useful in these situations.
Another post mentioned lattice, wooden lattice is very cheap and easy to cut and tie off discreetly once it has a coat of paint.

Lightly textured outdoor paint in a half or quarter strength "paperbark" or limed white colour could work well over the main wall near the water heater, it is cheaper and easier to apply than real render and would work with the dark blue rafters.
Bernadette Brandes
8 years ago
Yep, electricity needs some direction and that is a safety issue. Get a fridgie
to move that hot water service too not that much to do it...open the place up. Clean and reorganise. Nice pots, timber seating.

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