Need ideas for my little yard
Hi All,
I have a poky little backyard (I am thankful for even a little yard though) that is located downstairs at the rear of my garage. My unit is upstairs, the balcony in the first pic is mine (the stairs in the last pic are the neighbour's so their balcony adjoins mine and sits over a part of my yard). There are windows from 2 neighbour's garages either side of mine looking into my yard too.
I really would like to make something a little pretty down there. I like to go down and read sometimes during the day, and I am a (very novice) keen gardener. It gets a few hours of sun in the middle of the day, but otherwise is quite shady. When it rains a little stream runs over the path. There are a few big trees which I would like to keep (I got rid of the cluster of palms at the end by the gate)
I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions. :) x
Comments (15)
Erin Cunningham
7 years agoI love outdoor lights and always feel happy when I come home or come in from the line and there's a light on (plus I hate accidentally stepping in or on something). Consider some solar twinkle lights or solar sensor lights...
If you go the way of planters, consider how you might incorporate lighting into them too.
Sarah thanked Erin CunninghamRelated Discussions
Ideas needed for my lounge room.
Comments (10)I actually think you are on the right track with your colour scheme of browns and blues - see the photo I've attached that has a 'spa and gold' colour theme (found on 'howtodecorate.com') your lamp would tie in with this colour theme, and your sofa is 'gold'. This colour scheme looks elegant but also relaxed and I think would suit the style of your house. Would you consider painting your wooden panelling a pale blue? This would add the weight to the lower half of the room that Sian mentioned and add subtle colour. From what I can tell from the photos, it should work with the wall colour, although the walls could possibly be a bit lighter. I would move the mirror to above the fireplace (I think perhaps it's too large where it is) and add some artworks to the walls (in gold frames). I agree that a coffee table would be good. I think the rug you already have will work if you just add some some cushions and throws in creams and blues to the sofa to tie it in. If you purchase an arm chair, I would suggest it should be a pale cream or coffee colour as per the picture. The tv unit does look quite dark, it might lighten the room if it was a paler colour - perhaps you could simply cover it with a material slipcover in a light brown fabric which would also hide the contents, that would look more elegant....See MoreBike track and other ideas needed for my backyard.
Comments (8)A path around the boundary of the back yard and allow for garden beds or hedges on the boundary of your property. A figure 8 or roundabout would be lots of fun as well. Remember they will grow out of the little tykes cars and will be on scooters and bikes soon, which means more speed. Mark out tracks with garden hose or line marker spray paint. Think about where a veggie patch or garden beds might go. Concret would be the best surface for a path. Have fun!...See MoreFront yard landscaping ideas
Comments (16)As your house is a lovely grey I would consider plants which harmonise with that shade. So consider a range of grey leafed plants such as olive trees (these look great at night as the leaves have a silver backing), wattles, feijoa, euphorbia, lambs ears - an interesting textured ground cover, as is snow in summer. Then a striking deciduous coloured tree or large shrub such as a maple with red leaves, smoke bush, or crepe myrtle. There is no need to build a fence unless you really want significant privacy, shrubs do provide adequate separation. As the home is tall and quite imposing I would also plant three pencil pines neat the front of the building, these will soften the edges of the building and help it relate to the garden. Most grey leaved plants are very hardy. wind may prove more of an issue than sun or soil, I recommend that you look for plants at are labeled 'suitable for seaside locations'....See MoreIdeas needed to enhance privacy in my front yard
Comments (13)Is it privacy or weather control you most want? A custom made long blind might work well for the long window, if you want both privacy and heat/cold control. You might also think of external solutions, including plantings that would manage both sun and privacy for the lower levels. Having something that cuts neighbours views and gives you a nice view is always a good solution, and can be an important part both of privacy and weather management. A front courtyard of any sort (built wall, plant wall) also works well - we had one at an earlier house and it worked well. We had, in our just moved into place, a long window beside the front door, which also gets late afternoon sun (hot at present), and I replace the two panes with a stained glass pair of windows and it cuts the sun and increases the privacy, but it's not a cheap solution when you have such a long window....See More
PROPerth Bricklaying
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHi Sarah,
Depending on your budget I would recommend improving your fence to start with either by painting it or putting up some bamboo reed fence cover for a cost effective option.
If your budgets a bit higher replacing it with a brick rendered fence with some planter boxes built into the fence for the extra plants you wish to add. Or a mixture of both improving the fence cheaply and adding brick rendered planter boxes.
Chuck down some fake grass which is easy to maintain, they have lots of options these days that look just as good as the real thing.
Throw in a bit of outdoor lighting to add effect to the plants and maybe a firepit and seating and I would say you would have a nice outdoor area that needs very little maintenance.
Good luck and I hope it turns out nice.
Sarah thanked Perth Bricklaying
Kerrie Langloy7
7 years agoHi Sarah, here are some pics of what i've done to the side passage way of my house which looks pretty similar to your space. Basically I've just created a little potted garden with some hung on the wall. Hope this helps.
Sarah thanked Kerrie Langloy7Kerrie Langloy7
7 years agoKerrie Langloy7
7 years ago
John Henson
7 years agoThis is an idea that will increase the usable space. Place the plants on one side to create the height and depth as mentioned in a comment earlier and then draw the timber closer together in an area to have extra sitting area. Between the others place plants like native violet that will cope with the shade. With extra space on the timber you can now have room for planters on the concrete. Paint the fence dark if you want but you could just cover with plants as it looks dark enough. Creepers like native wisteria could work. Local nursery will help as mentioned.
Sarah thanked John HensonKerrie Langloy7
7 years agoSarah
7 years ago
olldroo
7 years ago
Varinia