14 Courtyard Updates You'll Thank Yourself For
Give your outdoor space an upgrade that'll keep on giving
Jenny Drew
24 June 2014
Home & Lifestyle Editor. Recovering cushion addict.
Yes, we would all like our outdoor spaces to be pleasing to the eye, but in order to create a true outdoor extension of your home, it’s important to think outside of the aesthetic box.
Your outdoor courtyard space should be liveable, practical and stand the test of time, so that all you have to worry about is whiling away balmy summer days and chilly winter evenings with a huge smile on your face. Here are some low-effort, high-reward updates to help you achieve a place outdoors you’ll gravitate towards.
Your outdoor courtyard space should be liveable, practical and stand the test of time, so that all you have to worry about is whiling away balmy summer days and chilly winter evenings with a huge smile on your face. Here are some low-effort, high-reward updates to help you achieve a place outdoors you’ll gravitate towards.
1. Update tired furniture
Your purse strings will thank you for not giving a tired outdoor furniture set the heave-ho. Pull out a colour to match flowers or features in your garden, add a seat cushion and enjoy tea with a friend on your pretty perch.
Your purse strings will thank you for not giving a tired outdoor furniture set the heave-ho. Pull out a colour to match flowers or features in your garden, add a seat cushion and enjoy tea with a friend on your pretty perch.
2. Fit an outdoor kitchen
Add an extra room to the house by building an outdoor kitchen and dining area. It can involve as little as buying a barbecue and outdoor furniture set, and it will make entertaining a breeze all year round.
Here are some top tips for a functional and stylish outdoor kitchen
Add an extra room to the house by building an outdoor kitchen and dining area. It can involve as little as buying a barbecue and outdoor furniture set, and it will make entertaining a breeze all year round.
Here are some top tips for a functional and stylish outdoor kitchen
3. Plant a space divider
Make like Sydney architect Scott Weston and build a decadent raised planter in your courtyard to create dedicated zones for entertaining, gardening, relaxing and more.
Make like Sydney architect Scott Weston and build a decadent raised planter in your courtyard to create dedicated zones for entertaining, gardening, relaxing and more.
4. Install a serene pond
What would you say if I told you this tranquil and serene outdoor retreat belongs to a home in the heart of Sydney? Such is the power of the pond. An installation such as this can turn an outdoor space from taxing to relaxing.
Find out the benefits of having a pond in your garden
What would you say if I told you this tranquil and serene outdoor retreat belongs to a home in the heart of Sydney? Such is the power of the pond. An installation such as this can turn an outdoor space from taxing to relaxing.
Find out the benefits of having a pond in your garden
5. Add handy storage
Toys, extra cushions, garden games, picnic items – you can tuck all manner of sins inside an outdoor storage bench that doubles as elegant seating.
Toys, extra cushions, garden games, picnic items – you can tuck all manner of sins inside an outdoor storage bench that doubles as elegant seating.
6. Lay soft flooring
Treat your toes to comfortable outdoor decking tiles. They’re easy to install, easy to clean and a great way to give your outdoor space a polished look that takes inspiration from the rest of your home.
Treat your toes to comfortable outdoor decking tiles. They’re easy to install, easy to clean and a great way to give your outdoor space a polished look that takes inspiration from the rest of your home.
7. Create a hidden reading spot
If you’re itching for a place to leave work, stress and noise behind, plant a designated ‘my zone’ flag by positioning a deckchair among the greenery. This seating spot is defined by raised decking enveloped in plants.
More: 20 of the Most Novel Reading Spots
If you’re itching for a place to leave work, stress and noise behind, plant a designated ‘my zone’ flag by positioning a deckchair among the greenery. This seating spot is defined by raised decking enveloped in plants.
More: 20 of the Most Novel Reading Spots
8. Choose a colour palette
Choosing one or two colours to highlight in your outdoor space, and sticking to them, can be the difference between a coherently charming space and a messy mismatch.
Choosing one or two colours to highlight in your outdoor space, and sticking to them, can be the difference between a coherently charming space and a messy mismatch.
9. Add sophisticated lighting
With smart lighting solutions outside not even lack of sunlight will stop your evening entertaining. Keep the designs simple with gentle uplights that add a magical glow to the space.
With smart lighting solutions outside not even lack of sunlight will stop your evening entertaining. Keep the designs simple with gentle uplights that add a magical glow to the space.
10. Make shade
When it comes to baking hot summer days, even the sun-worshippers among us would be grateful for overhead shade you don’t have to move around like you would an umbrella.
When it comes to baking hot summer days, even the sun-worshippers among us would be grateful for overhead shade you don’t have to move around like you would an umbrella.
11. Invest in a fire pit
What winter? Australian courtyards are going crazy for fire pits and we can see why. Not only do they provide an enchanting focal point for your outdoor space, they will warm your tootsies on cool summer evenings.
Here is some inspiration for your very own fire pit
What winter? Australian courtyards are going crazy for fire pits and we can see why. Not only do they provide an enchanting focal point for your outdoor space, they will warm your tootsies on cool summer evenings.
Here is some inspiration for your very own fire pit
12. Add privacy
If you’re in the city and want to enjoy your outdoor space peek-free, add privacy with fast-growing plants, screens and walls. Just check council and planning restrictions, and it’s always a good idea to give your neighbours some warning when placing something above the fence line.
If you’re in the city and want to enjoy your outdoor space peek-free, add privacy with fast-growing plants, screens and walls. Just check council and planning restrictions, and it’s always a good idea to give your neighbours some warning when placing something above the fence line.
13. Hang a hammock
For a relaxing courtyard that showers you with love, invest in a hammock. You’ll be grateful for it every time you’re swinging softly in the breeze with a book.
For a relaxing courtyard that showers you with love, invest in a hammock. You’ll be grateful for it every time you’re swinging softly in the breeze with a book.
14. Build a deck
A deck is a great way to create an easy-to-maintain courtyard space to house an entertaining area or kids’ play zone. You can build your own in a weekend and never have to worry about overgrown plants, dodgy paving and weeds again.
MORE
Houzz Tour: Convertible Courtyards Offer Versatility in Melbourne
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Space
10 Ways to Make Your Small Garden Feel Bigger
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What feature in your courtyard do you thank your lucky stars for on a daily basis? Tell us in the comments section below and attach a few high-resolution images.
A deck is a great way to create an easy-to-maintain courtyard space to house an entertaining area or kids’ play zone. You can build your own in a weekend and never have to worry about overgrown plants, dodgy paving and weeds again.
MORE
Houzz Tour: Convertible Courtyards Offer Versatility in Melbourne
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Space
10 Ways to Make Your Small Garden Feel Bigger
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What feature in your courtyard do you thank your lucky stars for on a daily basis? Tell us in the comments section below and attach a few high-resolution images.
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Have just posted on a like forum about indoor plants commenting that plants and scented flowering potteds should be taken outside at night as they, as do all other trees, shrubs, flowers etc, emit carbon dioxide at night and oxygen by day. The gist of it was not to have scented plants in sleeping areas at night...that in years gone by, plants and flowers gifted to hospital patients were all taken out of their rooms and wards at night because it is during the night that they emit carbon dioxide.
Plan to have my vases etc on a stand on my northern semi enclosed veranda...here it is -
It's like having a blank canvas.
Linda