Take a seat<\/h3>\n
By adding a bench up against a wall it means you have a space to sit down without the need for a full outdoor dining set up. You can also turn it into a backyard feature with plants and creative landscape lighting<\/a>. Just make sure you find a carpenter<\/a> who will be able to measure up and install the bench safely and to your design brief.<\/p>\n Thinking of adding an entertaining area? We’ve put together an in-depth article to show you 50 patio ideas<\/a> to think about when designing your backyard.<\/p>\n Garden mirror ideas<\/span><\/p>\n Mirrors work in any room to make it look larger and the same can be said for gardens. Whether you use a big or small mirror, it’s perfect for inner-city courtyards to reflect as much natural light as possible.<\/p>\n By using crawlers such as Ivy or Jasmine, you can turn a plain concrete privacy wall<\/a> into something that captures the eye. Simply design the wire in the pattern that you want the plant to grow and then you just need to make sure that you help it grow in the right direction. And don’t forget to prune when required so that the shape is maintained.<\/p>\n If you have a rooftop to use as a garden, it’s a beautiful sanctuary that you can relax in and an ideal space to host outdoor garden parties<\/a>. You could build a vegetable garden or just scatter potted plants around in all different sizes. The options are endless.<\/p>\n If you want something that is low maintenance, a water feature<\/a> is the way to go. A garden pond<\/a> in a container is relatively easy to install and if it is positioned in front of a window or glass door, it doubles as a view!<\/p>\n Adding grass to your backyard will make it seem larger as it divides different areas and it’s perfect for families with kids or pets. It can be real grass or astroturf, it just depends on how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Perhaps take a look at our guides on laying turf<\/a> or installing artificial turf<\/a> before you make your decision.<\/p>\n Using potted plants of different shapes and sizes adds depth to your outdoor space and can work on balconies or throughout a backyard.<\/p>\n You might not have a lot of floor space, so it’s important to utilise walls too. Whilst vertical gardens are relatively common, why not do a vertical herb garden<\/a> instead of just greenery? It’s really easy to recycle pot plants and turn it into a DIY project.<\/p>\n If you’re in an apartment, here’s our guide on how to grow a herb garden on a balcony<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not only are they pretty but hanging plants are another great use of space when you don’t have a lot of room.<\/p>\n The bigger the plants, the higher the cost. So by using a lot of smaller plants instead, such as succulents, it can create a feature with a similar impact as one big plant.<\/p>\n Sometimes you just have to work with what you’ve got, so painting the fence<\/a> is one way to make your garden stand out and bring that modern look from the inside out. This is one of my favourite backyard ideas that I’ve come across because it’s just so easy for anyone to do.<\/p>\n If you want a different type of feature but don’t have a lot of room, a fire pit is a lovely idea as you can almost use it year-round.<\/p>\n I’ve put together a whole article on fire pits if that’s what you’re looking for, so go take a look at these\u00a0fire pit ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sure it\u2019s nice to sit in the sun and enjoy your garden by day but why not get the most out of your backyard and use it at night as well with some of these great garden light ideas?<\/p>\n After all, there\u2019s more to garden lighting than an automatic sensor light that is triggered at all hours of the night by animals (owned and strays).<\/p>\n It\u2019s tempting to put lights down your pathway like an airport runway but please don\u2019t do that. Instead, only put a few lights to highlight the general direction people should walk.<\/p>\n A tree might look simple during the day but at night when you add a few spotlights – it can turn it into a fabulous feature. Spotlights can be used to highlight just about anything in your garden, but again, fewer is better.<\/p>\n Want to know how much this will set you back? Here’s our outdoor lighting installation cost guide<\/a> for you.<\/p>\n If you’re going to invest in a water feature<\/a>, it’s worth putting some lights in to show it off at night as well.<\/p>\n Instead of the usual one or two pool lights, your pool can stand out with colourful lights or perhaps try a different type of lighting design. As you can see in the image below, this pool has smaller lights along the entire length of the pool.<\/p>\n Add more than candlelight to the entertaining areas of your garden. Look at something more permanent like these LED lights under the seating. It turns a normal seat into a focal point.<\/p>\n Show off your beautiful home with some stylish wall lights. You can get really lovely ones to highlight and shadow certain areas e.g. near entrances.<\/p>\n They aren\u2019t just for parties and Christmas events. Fairy lights<\/a> can definitely be used all year round because they’re just so gorgeous. All you need to do is make sure that you buy the ones that are safe to use outdoors.<\/p>\n These are the pendant lights for exteriors, and filament lights by the front door immediately let people know that you’re all about great design.<\/p>\n First, it was all about fairy lights and then it was festoon lighting, which is pretty much just a bigger version of fairy lights. However, these lights are particularly great when you hang them over a dining table for the ultimate Instagramable dinner party.<\/p>\n Sure you could lay some lawn or pot some plants, but if you’re more of an out-of-the-box person then these are the interesting DIY backyard ideas you’ve been looking for!<\/p>\n It’s amazing how many things around the home can be reused for a different purpose, such as these colanders which have been transformed into hangers for plants.<\/p>\n Have an old timber ladder that you no longer use? Turn it into a great feature in your garden with plants or dress it up in lights for a special occasion.<\/p>\n If you don’t have a soil garden and don’t want to move heavy pots around, a planter on wheels is what you need. With one of these, you can now constantly change your garden design or even use them to block off different areas.<\/p>\n Vertical gardens have had their time in the spotlight because they work in just about any location, from outdoor terraces and small balconies to living rooms and kitchens.<\/p>\n They truly bring the outside in, but if you’re looking for something a little different why not try this DIY vertical garden idea, which uses pallets<\/a> and terracotta pots?<\/p>\n If you’re a wordsmith, you’ll love these pots and so easy to DIY.<\/p>\n It’s easy to get plants mixed up so DIY garden markers can be made from recycled items around the home such as wine corks.<\/p>\n There are so many different ideas when it comes to planting succulents but you’ll go nuts over this coconut planter idea.<\/p>\n Once seen in many country gardens, the humble bird feeder is a great project for little ones to get involved with as well as feeding your local birds.<\/p>\n Thinking about splashing out and getting a pool<\/a> for summer? If you can\u2019t decide between an inground or an aboveground pool, here are some tips and inspiration.<\/p>\n Tip 1: Pool Cost<\/p>\n Oh to be one of the lucky few with an inground pool surrounded by grass for the perfect pool landscaping<\/a> look… This super refined look is something that you would find in a European countryside estate or in a Vogue Living magazine.<\/p>\n Some people shy away from aboveground pools based on the misconception that they aren’t very pretty. But aboveground pools have really come a long way since the big blue tub era and decking kits can easily be installed for the illusion of an inground pool.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a sloped backyard, an aboveground pool is perfect for utilising this space and can add a great deal of style to your property.<\/p>\n Tip 2: Property value<\/p>\n Kidney, rectangle and oval pools don’t have anything on this stunning fan pool design.<\/p>\n Want both a spa and a pool? Well, a plunge pool is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds because not only can they be heated but also due to their size, the maintenance isn’t too much either.<\/p>\n Just because you have a small backyard, it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on diving into your own swimming pool. This small pool design feels like you’re staying at your own private villa – I love it!<\/p>\n A timber deck surrounding a pool gives it a rustic or beachy vibe when using natural or ash timber and there’s been a definite shift away from tiles to timber decking<\/a> in recent years. If you love this, then take a look at these other pool decking ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n From terracotta to stone, the options are endless when it comes to tiling around your pool. For a stylish look, make sure it’s a tile that flows into multiple areas.<\/p>\n Tip 3: Maintenance<\/p>\n Plants and landscaping around edges look great but might require some extra attention and care. Go with plants and grass that are resistant to saltwater, otherwise, you can hose poolside plants off with fresh water after splashing around in the pool.<\/p>\n If you want an unobstructed view, you can’t do better than glass just be prepared to clean it.<\/p>\n Tubular metal pool fencing has been around forever and because it’s the practical \/ cheaper option, it can be painted to suit any design. In saying this, there are some great modern variations that are coming into the market though as you can see below.<\/p>\n Your backyard needs just as much love as the inside of your home, so it\u2019s important to look after it with regular maintenance. With most backyards, you’ll need a lawnmower, hedge trimmer and shovel at the very least which means you\u2019ll need a garden shed to store all of your equipment.<\/p>\n Sheds can come in all shapes and sizes, but to make it fit in with your backyard there are plenty of garden shed ideas to look at, starting with the ideas below.<\/p>\n The bigger the garden, the bigger the garden shed you will need to store the equipment. A barn-style shed looks great on bigger properties.<\/p>\n For this type of shed, you’ll need a helping hand with your garden shed installation<\/a> and painting.<\/p>\n It’s not exactly the external of a shed, but this nifty design using chalkboard paint is one of the best garden shed ideas that I’ve seen.<\/p>\n Only need to hang a few smaller items? Then you can get away with a cupboard shed which can go down the side of the house.<\/p>\n If you head to your local hardware shop to buy a shed, chances are that you’ll end up with one of these metal ones, which look simple enough to put together but from personal experience, hire a professional! You’ll thank me later \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n If dirt under your nails isn’t something you particularly enjoy, here are some great home gardening hacks to help make your weekend gardening a little bit easier.<\/p>\n For a quick and easy vertical garden without the hard work of building a custom vertical planter, get a cheap shoe organiser from your neighbourhood shop.<\/p>\n Make sure your plants look fantastic all year round by planting flowers in their original pots. This means that you can easily move them around without digging so that you can colour coordinate for a season or replace if a plant doesn’t flourish.<\/p>\n For an easy watering can use a milk bottle by poking holes in the lid and fill it up with water. Or you could also use a milk bottle as a handheld shovel for dirt or spreading fertiliser.<\/p>\n This is probably the easiest hack ever but simply pour the water, which is left behind when you cook rice, all over your garden to provide a great source of nutrients to your plants.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not as hard as you think it is to make your own irrigation system, all you need is a few water bottles dug next to a plant which you\u2019ve cut holes into, and fill with water when required.<\/p>\n Spoiling yourself with some new outdoor furniture? There’s so much choice including size, materials, heights and functionality. So let’s take a look at some different types of dining settings.<\/p>\n Outdoor bar sets are great for balcony apartments where you want to take in the amazing view. It’s also perfect for anyone with a pool.<\/p>\n The only two things to consider with a higher table is that you’re limited to entertaining smaller groups because you won’t be able to add multiple tables together for bigger get together’s, and it also doesn’t really work for families with younger kids.<\/p>\n Are you an informal or formal host? Will you eat inside or have a full sit-down dinner outside? These are some of the questions to ask yourself because whilst it’s nice to have an outdoor dining set, you might be able to get a lounge set that is better suited for multi-purpose use.<\/p>\n With a lounge set, you can use it when reading the Sunday paper with a cuppa or for informal pre-dinner drinks during a dinner party.<\/p>\n These sets will normally be delivered as flatpacks, but you can help the time fly by with some\u00a0furniture assembly<\/a>\u00a0help.<\/p>\n Daybeds are great for limited space within pool areas or a chill-out zone in smaller backyards. There are a few different types that you can get depending on your styling e.g. cabana style, pod sofas or canopy daybeds.<\/p>\n If you have a large backyard with various areas to furnish, it’s really important that your garden flows and by getting a matching outdoor garden set, you can achieve this very easily.<\/p>\n By now you have a pretty good idea about what type of furniture is going to work for you, but what about the style and material? Here’s some inspiration:<\/p>\n Absolutely! There’s lots of outdoor furniture inspo around and it’s amazing what you can do with a few pallets and a sewing machine. But to get some help to make it become a reality, get a handyman<\/a> who’s done it before to help you out.<\/p>\n Now it’s time to invite friends and family over to enjoy your beautiful garden. Get some outdoor entertaining ideas<\/a> about lighting, styling and more!<\/p>\n If you don’t have a lot of space, go all out with a stunning pergola<\/a> set-up like the one below which has been decked out with festoon lights, an outdoor rug and comfy furniture.<\/p>\n Pergola<\/a> design hasn’t really changed that much over time, but there are some beautiful creations incorporating a variety of materials. This could be an up-and-coming trend as we see more cohesive indoor\/outdoor living areas.<\/p>\n Rustic and recycled is the new boho and this pergola captures the look perfectly. Here’s how to build your own pergola<\/a>, if you want to perfect DIY activity.<\/p>\n You can’t go for natural timber decking<\/a> if you want a classic design in your outdoor space. It’s a great option if you’re thinking of resale value too!<\/p>\n If you’re looking to install your own decking, here’s a very helpful guide which takes you through how to DIY and build your own deck<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead of natural timber, why not use a colour like white for a refreshing backyard outlook?<\/p>\n Kids backyard ideas<\/span><\/p>\n Growing up with a spacious backyard to run around in is a glorious memory for many of us. If you had a sandpit, cubby house or trampoline, all of your friends were probably in your backyard.<\/p>\n Thanks to the internet, technology and the DIY\/ upcycling trends, the ultimate \u2018outdoor playground at home\u2019 game has stepped up a level. Here are some inspirational backyard ideas that kids of all ages will love; young and old (and maybe even us grown-ups).<\/p>\n Do your children love to paint, draw, and use chalk and crayons? Moving the art station outside will encourage them to play outdoors and help keep the mess under control. You can mount an easel to your fence, or build something standalone.<\/p>\n Making an outdoor easel is easy and cheap; use a sheet of Perspex (a.k.a. acrylic) for painting and crayons, or a wooden board covered in chalkboard paint for chalk drawing. \u00a0You can even buy ready-made, mountable chalkboards if DIY is not your thing.<\/p>\n Mud pies\u2026 YUM! Many of us used to use sand buckets and ice cream containers for our mud pie-making extravaganzas, but modern parents have caught on to some great up-cycling trends to make the \u2018mud kitchen\u2019 a more serious business these days.<\/p>\n Upcycle an old sink and some wooden pallets to build a mud pie kitchen. Accessorise with a few pots and pans from the camping basket and the kids are in business!<\/p>\n Stacked bricks with boards or wooden sleepers are a great way to DIY a kitchen bench and then mount some shelves with hanging hooks for utensils.<\/p>\n Kids can spend hours in cubby houses making up all sorts of games and really letting their imaginations run wild. Here’s a lovely recycled cubby house that uses fruit crates.<\/p>\n Do you have an active child and need to constantly tire them out with activities? A climbing wall in the backyard is something that is super fun and can become more challenging over time.<\/p>\n It’s simple to host an outdoor movie night with the family. You can make it as simple as hanging up a sheet, borrowing a mini projector and speaker combo, and hooking it up to your laptop; or you can go all out and invest in your own equipment and a proper projector screen. Then you just need to make some popcorn, throw a picnic blanket down, scatter a few cushions on the ground, and enjoy your outdoor cinema experience.<\/p>\n Bring the park to your home by installing a swing set in your backyard. If you’ve got a large shady tree with some sturdy branches, this will make for a perfect (and reasonably quick) DIY job. Use a rope or chain, with a smooth plank of wood (sand and paint it to avoid splinters), or try some of the creative swing ideas below.<\/p>\n This pallet swing looks amazing and something tells me that the adults will enjoy it more than the kids. Seriously, what can’t you do with a pallet these days?<\/p>\n If you’re up for a bit of creative DIY, these painted tyres look very eye-catching.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t have a ladder? Get a\u00a0handyman to safely install your swing<\/a> for you.<\/p>\n This idea is so much fun \u2013 give the kids some shade in their outdoor playground by creating a green teepee! Climbing beans are awesome for teepees because they grow very quickly, and when they begin to produce a crop they\u2019ll double as a \u2018help yourself\u2019 snack for the kids while they\u2019re playing inside. This DIY idea is affordable and relatively beginner-friendly, involving a few poles, wire or twine, seeds, and elbow grease.<\/p>\n Sandpits are a very iconic item in any family backyard. I remember the blue clam one that I had growing up but this one made from a recycled apple crate is more eco-friendly.<\/p>\n Games are great for kids parties and even every day. Connect Four can be something that anyone at any age can play.<\/p>\n These look super stylish in your kid’s bedroom or in the backyard where you can suspend them from the awnings.<\/p>\n I hope you’re able to use some of these backyard ideas in your home and if you’d like me to add any more, please let me know in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you’re thinking about updating your garden, you won’t want to miss these ideas!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[1894,1872,1984,1922,278,1978,1996,1906,1998],"language":["en-AU"],"class_list":["post-10109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips","tag-alfresco","tag-backyard","tag-fencing","tag-garden","tag-outdoors","tag-patio","tag-pool","tag-retaining-wall","tag-swimming-pool"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVines and climbers<\/h3>\n
![\"vines](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052903\/vines-climbers-garden.jpg\")
Rooftop garden ideas<\/h3>\n
Pond ideas<\/h3>\n
Add some grass<\/h3>\n
Potted plants<\/h3>\n
Herb vertical garden<\/h3>\n
Hanging plants<\/h3>\n
Succulent wall<\/h3>\n
Painted fence<\/h3>\n
Fire pits<\/h3>\n
Garden light ideas<\/h2>\n
Path lights (but not too many)<\/h3>\n
Tree lights<\/h3>\n
Water feature<\/h3>\n
Pool lights<\/h3>\n
Garden bench lighting<\/h3>\n
House lights<\/h3>\n
Fairy lights<\/h3>\n
Filament lights<\/h3>\n
Festoon lighting<\/h3>\n
![\"festoon](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052903\/festoon-garden-backyard-ideas.jpg\")
Quirky DIY garden ideas<\/h2>\n
DIY hanging plants<\/h3>\n
Recycled vintage tools<\/h3>\n
Moveable planters<\/h3>\n
Vertical garden walls<\/h3>\n
![\"vertical](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052904\/vertical-garden-wall.jpg\")
Creative pot plants<\/h3>\n
DIY garden markers<\/h3>\n
Succulent plant pots<\/h3>\n
Bird feeder<\/h3>\n
Backyard pool ideas<\/h2>\n
![\"infinity](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/24053013\/infinity-pool.jpg\")
\n
Inground pool ideas<\/h3>\n
Aboveground pool ideas<\/h3>\n
\n
Alternative pool shapes<\/h3>\n
Plunge pool<\/h3>\n
Small backyard pool ideas<\/h3>\n
Pool decking ideas<\/h3>\n
![\"timber](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/24053016\/pool-decking-ideas.jpg\")
Pool tiling ideas<\/h3>\n
\n
Pool landscaping ideas<\/h3>\n
Pool fencing ideas<\/h3>\n
Garden shed ideas<\/h2>\n
Barn style shed<\/h3>\n
Shed organisation<\/h3>\n
Small shed<\/h3>\n
Metal shed<\/h3>\n
![\"garden](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052901\/green-metal-garden-shed.jpg\")
Clever gardening hacks<\/h2>\n
Vertical garden<\/h3>\n
Keep it fresh<\/h3>\n
Recycling hack<\/h3>\n
Natural fertiliser<\/h3>\n
DIY irrigation<\/h3>\n
Outdoor furniture ideas<\/h2>\n
Bar outdoor furniture<\/h3>\n
Lounge sets vs. dining sets<\/h2>\n
Outdoor daybeds<\/h2>\n
Coordinated furniture sets<\/h2>\n
What about the material?<\/h2>\n
Wicker<\/h3>\n
Timber<\/h3>\n
![\"timber](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052901\/timber-outdoor-furniture.jpg\")
Wrought iron<\/h3>\n
Stainless steel<\/h3>\n
Can you DIY?<\/h2>\n
Deck and pergola ideas<\/h2>\n
Small backyard pergola<\/h3>\n
Modern pergola<\/h3>\n
Rustic pergola<\/h3>\n
![\"boho](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052902\/boho-backyard-ideas.jpg\")
Minimalist decking<\/h3>\n
White deck<\/h3>\n
Outdoor blackboard<\/h3>\n
Mud kitchens<\/h3>\n
Cubby houses<\/h3>\n
![\"cubby](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/24052902\/cubby-house-backyard.jpg\")
Climbing walls<\/h3>\n
Outdoor cinema<\/h3>\n
Swings<\/h3>\n
Plant teepee<\/h3>\n
Sandpits<\/h3>\n
Games<\/h3>\n
Hanging chairs<\/h3>\n
![\"hanging](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/24053012\/dark-decking-hanging-chair.jpg\")