How to Make Your Courtyard Sing on Sunny, Summer Days
Simple tips to get your courtyard summer-ready so you can spend time with loved ones in comfort and style
Summer has landed and us Aussies love to entertain outdoors, so now is the time to get your courtyard ready for the sunny season ahead. Courtyards come in all shapes and sizes but are spaces that are enclosed by walls and other dwellings, and provide a secure little escape to the outdoors. These simple tips can get you started on making a checklist of things to do so you can make the most out of your courtyard and enjoy it with your loved ones.
Tidy up
Before you think about anything else, get out those gardening gloves, a good outdoor broom and some cutters as the area is likely to be overgrown (especially if you’ve skipped the spring clean). Trim back any overhanging branches and sweep up fallen leaves – treat it like you would the inside of your house. A tidy courtyard is an inviting one, so get to work!
Before you think about anything else, get out those gardening gloves, a good outdoor broom and some cutters as the area is likely to be overgrown (especially if you’ve skipped the spring clean). Trim back any overhanging branches and sweep up fallen leaves – treat it like you would the inside of your house. A tidy courtyard is an inviting one, so get to work!
Consider entertaining zones
If the space allows, opt for a range of entertaining zones to keep it interesting and functional. You can have a dining area, a lounging area with sun lounges or deck chairs, bench seats or outdoor occasionals.
STYLIST TIP: Strapped for space? If you like to entertain, choose bench seating with a matching table. The bench seats can be used to prop up pot plants when not in use or can be simply stored under the table and out of sight. It is often a lot neater, especially for smaller areas, as opposed to having individual chairs scattered about the place.
If you’re more the lounging type and after some quiet solitude, choose comfortable lounging chairs with a little side table to rest your drink, or even a hammock could do the trick. It is important to furnish your courtyard with function in mind.
Get some more tips on entertaining outdoors here.
If the space allows, opt for a range of entertaining zones to keep it interesting and functional. You can have a dining area, a lounging area with sun lounges or deck chairs, bench seats or outdoor occasionals.
STYLIST TIP: Strapped for space? If you like to entertain, choose bench seating with a matching table. The bench seats can be used to prop up pot plants when not in use or can be simply stored under the table and out of sight. It is often a lot neater, especially for smaller areas, as opposed to having individual chairs scattered about the place.
If you’re more the lounging type and after some quiet solitude, choose comfortable lounging chairs with a little side table to rest your drink, or even a hammock could do the trick. It is important to furnish your courtyard with function in mind.
Get some more tips on entertaining outdoors here.
Make it fun
Your courtyard should be a place you want to spend time in, so have fun decorating it with colour, and even add a little bit of kitsch. You want to evoke that feeling of summer, so brightly coloured blooms and decorating items could help make an impact.
STYLIST TIP: A grouping of miniature pots in various shapes and sizes can form an interesting and attractive outdoor tablescape. It could be a permanent fixture, too – just remember to choose hardy varieties such as cactus and succulents that don’t mind full sun, and remember to water!
Read more about satisfying your green thumb when you don’t have a traditional garden bed here.
Your courtyard should be a place you want to spend time in, so have fun decorating it with colour, and even add a little bit of kitsch. You want to evoke that feeling of summer, so brightly coloured blooms and decorating items could help make an impact.
STYLIST TIP: A grouping of miniature pots in various shapes and sizes can form an interesting and attractive outdoor tablescape. It could be a permanent fixture, too – just remember to choose hardy varieties such as cactus and succulents that don’t mind full sun, and remember to water!
Read more about satisfying your green thumb when you don’t have a traditional garden bed here.
Wall art
Courtyards are surrounded by walls, so why not make the most of them and incorporate them into the overall design. Wall murals are a fun feature to liven up a courtyard and provide an interesting backdrop to an otherwise boring old wall.
STYLIST TIP: Look at commissioning a local artist or graffiti artist to design a custom work of art for your home. You will have something no one else has and be the talk of your street. It’s also perfect for photo backdrops and gazing at while sipping on an ice cold drink.
Courtyards are surrounded by walls, so why not make the most of them and incorporate them into the overall design. Wall murals are a fun feature to liven up a courtyard and provide an interesting backdrop to an otherwise boring old wall.
STYLIST TIP: Look at commissioning a local artist or graffiti artist to design a custom work of art for your home. You will have something no one else has and be the talk of your street. It’s also perfect for photo backdrops and gazing at while sipping on an ice cold drink.
Provide shade
Whether it’s large trees, putting up sun shades or structures, or simply an outdoor umbrella, you need to provide some sort of protection from that harsh summer sun. Courtyards can really bake in the heat, so you want to provide shelter from the sun for your guests.
Whether it’s large trees, putting up sun shades or structures, or simply an outdoor umbrella, you need to provide some sort of protection from that harsh summer sun. Courtyards can really bake in the heat, so you want to provide shelter from the sun for your guests.
Permanent fixtures should be incorporated within the design of any new builds and can form a stylish architectural feature.
Read more: Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
Read more: Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
Choose water-wise plants
As we know, Australian summers are hot and the garden bed can really suffer in a courtyard as the plants are literally baked in the hot sun. Adding greenery to your courtyard does help soften the space and can actually make it feel ‘cooler’ – even when it’s not. When deciding on your plants, opt for the water-wise and hardy varieties such as Agave, common tussock-grass (Poa labillardieri), succulents, drought-tolerant and native varieties, such
as Grevilleas and native
fuchsias (Correa reflexa) for flowering varieties.
As we know, Australian summers are hot and the garden bed can really suffer in a courtyard as the plants are literally baked in the hot sun. Adding greenery to your courtyard does help soften the space and can actually make it feel ‘cooler’ – even when it’s not. When deciding on your plants, opt for the water-wise and hardy varieties such as Agave, common tussock-grass (Poa labillardieri), succulents, drought-tolerant and native varieties, such
as Grevilleas and native
fuchsias (Correa reflexa) for flowering varieties.
Set the mood
Lighting can really make an outdoor area, especially in an enclosed courtyard. There are so many affordable choices now, a lot that are solar, which you can hang yourself. With some imagination, you can create an attractive atmosphere that will bring you into those long, hot summer nights.
STYLIST TIP: The great thing about hanging outdoor lights in a courtyard is that you will have fences and walls to use as support or the backdrop. You can fix string lights in a way so they hang over the table and entertaining area, creating a fun atmosphere.
Lighting can really make an outdoor area, especially in an enclosed courtyard. There are so many affordable choices now, a lot that are solar, which you can hang yourself. With some imagination, you can create an attractive atmosphere that will bring you into those long, hot summer nights.
STYLIST TIP: The great thing about hanging outdoor lights in a courtyard is that you will have fences and walls to use as support or the backdrop. You can fix string lights in a way so they hang over the table and entertaining area, creating a fun atmosphere.
Or cover trellis, plants and beams with sparkling little fairy lights to create an intimate and laid back mood. Light a few candles on the table, put on some relaxing tunes and enjoy your space this summer.
Read more: Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
TELL US
What are you most excited about this summer? Do you use your courtyard? Leave your comments below.
MORE
14 Courtyard Updates You’ll Thank Yourself For
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outside Space
Dream Entertaining Spaces Ready for Summer Fun
The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
Read more: Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
TELL US
What are you most excited about this summer? Do you use your courtyard? Leave your comments below.
MORE
14 Courtyard Updates You’ll Thank Yourself For
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outside Space
Dream Entertaining Spaces Ready for Summer Fun
The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
Courtyards provide an escape to the outdoors and an ability to get some fresh air and Vitamin D, so treat them like an extension of your home and don’t neglect this space. Courtyards are a luxury in a time where apartment and small-space living is on the rise, so don’t waste a good opportunity to make this a space of your own.
Just like you would your interior, think about function and how you foresee using the space – this will give you a starting point and an idea of what furniture and accessories to purchase (or what items to get rid of to free up some space!).