MALVERN HOUSE Melbourne AustraliaContemporary Patio, Melbourne

4. Cool cantilever. Melbourne, VictoriaDesigner: DDB Design Development & Building

6. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaDesigner: DDB Design Development & BuildingFeatures: The patina, the plantings, the cladding. A great example of a modern, beautifully designed space…

69. Melbourne, Victoria

Make it ZenWhen you’re not entertaining, your outdoor space should be somewhere you can retreat to for relaxation and reflection. The simple concrete wall in this garden highlights uncluttered planting and an inviting bench, creating a calming space for clearing the mind.

Think about your flooringWhen it comes to choosing your flooring, avoid large format sizes. Giant pavers or wide decking boards will only make the courtyard seem smaller.More: Outdoor Surfacing Ideas With a Difference

Embrace your space. Your courtyard is what it is. It is a small outdoor area squeezed between buildings in a busy metropolis. Work with the area you have and embrace it. It doesn’t take much to create interest in a courtyard. but the devil is in the detail. In small areas, you must make your decisions count. There is a tendency to try to squeeze too much into small spaces, so remember less is almost always more!TELL USWhat have we missed? What’s your biggest courtyard conundrum?MORE TIPSHow to Make Your Courtyard Sing on Sunny, Summer Days7 Common Garden Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemBountiful Gardens: The 6 Zones of Permaculture14 Courtyard Updates You’ll Thank Yourself For

Create functionalityYou can also create a sense of functionality to an open front courtyard with the introduction of a bench seat which can add a nice, inviting feel to the space and an architectural element to the garden. No matter the size, an open front yard is the face of your property and sets the style and quality of the home throughout so ensure you spend the time getting it right.

2. Garden wallsConcrete walls provide a subtle backdrop in the garden and are harmonious with a range of architectural styles. Here, they are part of a modern rear addition to a brick Federation-style home. The industrial look of the concrete walls and pavers is warmed by the wooden benches, while silver studs on those benches enhance the urban feel.

9. Remove all clutterTry to keep a serene space – whether indoors or outdoors – as clear and uncluttered as possible. If your eyes are constantly darting around noticing items that are out of place, or you’re thinking of work or cleaning, then you’re not experiencing harmony and balance. You may prefer to keep the space entirely without decoration. If so, enhance it with soothing and peaceful colours and textures.

Change height of raised borders

Wall colour, Japanese Maple tree