Ideas for backyard
9 years ago
Any suggestions for what we should do with the backyard space. Currently it's a blank canvas, just lawn. We are thinking of putting some bifold doors at the back of the house to open it up a bit more. The two current doors at the back of the house open into one large open plan space that includes the kitchen, dining and a lounge area.
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Comments (7)
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Backyard extension ideas??
Comments (6)Hi Richard The first thing to check then is what the rules are about putting anything on that roof. A deck there will have limits to avoid overlooking, and multi-story, issues with the neighbours (I have first-hand experience of these rules :-) ), which will establish a boundary of how far you can go. Then there is the fundamental structural question of what you can put on there. Then there's the question of what you can afford... For me, a simple and cheap option would be to put some tall plants/planter boxes toward the far edges of the roof, tiering to lower plants at the front. I'd take away the plants in front of the stairs at the garage, and have smaller/narrower plants up against that garage window wall to hide it, and also away from the side steps from your upper level. That makes the roof part of the garden view, and maximises the terrace area (remove encroaching plants), and hints at 'more' around the corner, down the steps. With a bit more money and appropriate permission, a deck on the roof gives you another whole space to play with. You'd have to work out where the best access to that roof deck would rise from, without losing too much of your current paved area. Connie's idea for a bridge could work well, but would seem to interfere with the access to the current paved area? With a lot more money, permission and some engineering, I'd be really tempted to build a deck on that roof and extend it full width right back to the house, at the same level as your door/windows! That way you bury the garage (and small terrace) under a much larger area, giving you heaps of options for creating spaces. You can use the old terrace then for storage (e.g. gardening materials always take up space, and more garden = more materials; compost heaps, worms, bikes, ...). Even if you can't take the deck all the way to the front/side of the garage, you can still create a whole new area there. And you can surround it with plants even if you can't build to the edges. I love spending other people's money :-)...See MoreBackyard/courtyard ideas.
Comments (36)Wow, what a difference, I had no idea just how big the area was from the before photos, but this looks great - clean and easy to maintain as well. I can see in time the plantings will give a nice lushness and softness to the area that will also help visually cool the area in summer as well. I also like the elevated garden - I can assure you this is a real bonus in senior years. Wondering how many of the old crowd are still around, I lost the ability to post photos after a computer update quite some years back and then couldn't make comments either, so I'm thrilled suddenly the site seems to be working for me. I felt I'd been excommunicated. Not long after this post, I up and sold my Sydney house, was totally fed up with the overdevelopment happening and moved to Port Stephens for some quiet country life. Bought a house on a small block of land that wouldn't be too much for me to maintain in my senior years and the back garden faces north so gets sun all day winter and summer - beautiful in winter as it lets the sun in the house on that side too, but almost unliveable in summer. House had been leased all its life so I literally had a blank canvas - after I'd levelled the craters the tenant's dog had created - I needed privacy from neighbours but didn't want a lot of maintenance, including no lawns to mow, so I've used low maintenance shrubs growing to about 2m around the perimeter and 4 crepe myrtles in the centre area for shade to sit under in summer while allowing full sun in winter. Just waiting for everything to grow now, but thanks to Covid and lockdowns, I've had plenty of time to garden. Thanks for the update Rog, I hope everyone is staying safe and well....See MoreIdeas to improve the front and backyard?
Comments (4)Its tough isnt it? I have been in my house for years and still havent gotten the garden quite sorted! I think once you have cleared the plants it will be easier to see where to go/what to do. The current alfresco looks quite small and the posts could be a problem from the looks, but you have plenty of room to extend from there and even down the side where the driveway is. It will depend on your budget as to how much you do. Do you have a particular style in mind?...See MoreBackyard blitz, please help us to design our backyard, we have no idea
Comments (5)I would decide what you actually need in a backyard as a starting point, such as a clothes drying area, vegetable garden, sandpit, kids play area, BBQ, outdoor entertaining deck etc. Look at how the sunny spots and shady spots change during the day. Think about the balance between hard surfaces (like decking and paving) to soft surfaces, such as lawns and garden beds. Consider the relationship of the rooms at the rear of the house to the backyard with potential views, and vistas. Consider what is currently over the fence, and what you can do to disguise what you don't want to see (such as your neighbours ugly garage). Also consider if there is redevelopment potential next door that may overshadow or overlook your back garden in the future. Think of the functions of your back garden as a series of outdoor "rooms" and the relationship to each other, and to your house. Your drying area may be in a sunny spot, that isn't overlooked from your dining room, but not too far from the laundry door. If you have young kids you may want to be able to see their play area/sandpit from the kitchen. Locate your BBQ area, outdoor entertaining area which gets the afternoon sun and not too far from the kitchen. Or engage a landscape designer to help you get your thoughts and budget organised. You have lots of scope and opportunities with such a blank canvas. Photos courtesy of Davidson Design Studio http://www.davidsondesignstudio.com.au/ Best of luck, Dr Retro...See More
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