Yard renovation- decking or paved? Ideas please

Kylie

last year

last modified: last year

Wanting to transform a private fully enclosed front yard.

Looking for recommendations, do”s and dont”s. as i beg the design phase

Extra info …

Looking for alfreso area to extend living area from sliding door-and possible slider in main bedroom which is cuurentky a window shown on left-

full pic of yard looking out from lounge

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Comments (10)

macyjean
last year
Purpose? Budget?

As per your title, it looks low and flat so it looks more like a paved type area than decking, but I've seen decks like that too, though you have to ensure drainage. Think about the ongoing maintenance needs of the different materials too.
dreamer
last year
Where is the decking or paving going? The full yard in the photo or just the hard surface area out from the sliding door? If the area that is being paved receives full sun in summer, I would be doing composite decking, as paving would be hot, visually and physically. Purchase an air conditioning slatted cover for unit. If keeping lawn, create a garden bed under window.
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Are you set on keeping the dirt area for your puppy or are would you consider container gardening? Does the area get a lot of sun? My first thought is there is alot of brick already between the facade of the building and that two story portion shown. But the herringbone paver layout is great. If it were my home I would probably take that Trex decking and extend it over in to the dirt area at an angle and then use pots to make my garden. Really great pots that you can move around and change by adding colorful plants when the season permits and then I would invest in really nice outdoor furniture to make the space. I see you have a small teak table and with a good powerwash it can be made to look new. Then add some outdoor chairs and hang a piece of outdoor art on the brick and that would be a great start but definitely start by just getting rid of all those odd plantings. It will be a lovely retreat. Good luck.
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Your site is far too exposed for Maples. They are small trees that really need to be buffered from winds and too much sun by other plantings. They also need the soil constantly moist which will be nearly impossible on that slope. You really don't want to grow magnolias anywhere near the footings of a house. Have you seen how large a tree they are? Since you are in a temperate zone and like autumn foliage I can recommend a gingko tree. It will be right sized for your yard and give you that similar lighter than air look and autumn colour as maples but it's more hardy. Another option are silver birches. I would hedge the boundary for privacy and also to cut down winds to your garden which will dry out the grass and scorch it. With that slope you are going to need more rocks I think to prevent your topsoil from washing away in the first rain. It's really no use of us to provide you a list of random plants. What you need to do is put together a series of photo's of gardens you like the look of, then find plants to match that style. If you don't plan gardens then you end up with the ubiquitous suburban patch of grass and odd bushes look instead of a lovely garden.
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the first thing that needs to be decided is where to put a staircase with adjoining access hallways both upstairs and down and that need a space about the size of the original kitchen or all of bed 2... the old rear lounge is not big enough for kitchen, dining and laundry and isn't the old bed 2 on a different floor and ceiling level? would the old rear lounge and extensions back and front have floors raised to match the original inside floors or will there still be a step down between old and new floors and what about ceiling heights in new and old rooms?... an upstairs extension needs far more floor area than is needed for the 2 bedrooms that already exist downstairs and downstairs already has a bathroom... the original roof would have to be partly demolished in every direction and would probably need all new reinforcing and roof cladding and building above the carport means the carport would have to be extra tall to make the upstairs floor fit above the old downstairs rooms and that ruins the simple carport to front verandah roof that should fit under the original eaves and not make any changes to the main roof and what upstairs roof shape would you have? eg hip roof to match original house or a low gable to use less floor space and what about windows...an upstairs extension is possible but i think a KDR would be more cost effective but a professional designer could draw up your two story extension but i wouldn't encourage such an expensive option when you have more than enough space available at ground level
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Kate
last year
Paving is typically impervious so need to consider drainage for water runoff which is greater than decking as that allows water to seep down into the soil below Decking is typically cheaper to install but more maintenance unless you go an eco deck material. What look are you after?
dreamer
last year
I think composite decking would be pleasing to the eye, not paving. If wanting to change window to sliding door, maybe invest in two brand new sliding doors that match.
dreamer
last year
Building the decking up to the level of the bottom door frame height and the full expanse in length from left new sliding door to right hand wall edge.
dreamer
last year
Inspiration
Kylie thanked dreamer
macyjean
last year
Which way does it face? That amount of glazing always makes me wonder. You have the opportunity to improve energy efficiency and comfort if needed. I love the pergola in Dreamer's inspiration picture. I like the slat idea for the aircon too. That reminds me, what's the best way to divert condensate as you don't want that pooling near the house. Is it just a sitting alfresco or will there be more on it, like bbq?
bigreader
last year
It’s a great private space. What are you looking to transform it into? Does it have suitable easy access from inside to ensure it gets used? Or would it just be used occasionally?
Kylie
Original Author
last year
Living room sliding doors access it and potentially the main bedroom with a window to door upgrade. House is a small space do would like to use it often
- outdoor meals area, entertaining, reading chair, morning coffee etc.
bigreader
last year
For that level of use, I’d use decking as above but keep a wide wide perimeter for planting.

Yard renovation- decking or paved? Ideas please

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Yard renovation- decking or paved? Ideas please

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