Masters Home Improvement

Here are some handy tips to help spruce up your outdoor area…

Design & layout

When putting together the garden of your dreams, it’s important to think about how you will use the space. Will it be a social hub for family and friends? Is it a place to retreat? Do you want to encourage the kids to play outside? The next stage is to choose plants that will suit your needs. Do you require shade, privacy or plenty of sun?

For a real impact, follow a theme. Your garden area could take on a casual or formal ambience; you may want to create an inner-city oasis, or how about a country garden? Or take on an international approach – perhaps it’s time to try a French parterre garden, an Asian tropical look or a backyard full of Australian natives!

When space is at a premium in a small courtyard or on a balcony, it might be worth de-cluttering. Make sure each furniture piece, plant, pot and decorative element has earned its place within your sanctuary.

When finishing off your garden layout, don’t forget to include all those essentials, such as the clothesline, rubbish bin, doghouse, shed and water tank.

Planting

A tall fast-growing plant can work as a focal point in the garden. To create an illusion of height, position smaller plants around this tree. This also makes the garden look more expansive.

Remember, that cute little shrub you plant today could be a sun-blocking monster within a couple of years. Allow for growth and be aware of the mature size of everything you plant. A well thought-out garden should age gracefully, not overpower the house and backyard.

If you’re a novice gardener, choosing the right plants can be an overwhelming experience. Talk to the garden experts at your local Masters Home Improvement store for all the advice and help you’ll need.

Entertaining

You need plenty of room to move when you have an outdoor dining setting. Ensure you have at least 1.5 metres on either side of the table for manoeuvring chairs in and out.

Stools are handy items as they double as tables and seating options.

Barbecues have certainly come a long way – finishes range from sleek stainless steel to black vitreous enamel, and they will never rust. When selecting, decide how many burners you’ll need and look at other features, such as a viewing window, wok burner, warming rack and side shelves.

Sofa, armchair, coffee table – these are no longer confined to the living room. Outdoor options are making the backyard a comfortable and relaxing place to relax and catch up with friends. Add a brazier, fire pit or gas heater and you can entertain outdoors all year round.

Furniture & accessories

For a contemporary look, modular outdoor seating can be shifted around to suit your changing needs. Add cushions for visual appeal and extra comfort.

Decorative touches that you usually find indoors are being taken outdoors, including floor rugs and floor lamps. Outdoor wall art, statues, sculptures and urns are on offer to set the tone of the backyard. Meanwhile, solar lighting and beautiful lanterns are redefining how we utilise outdoor space after dark.
Both sophisticated and sun-protective, umbrellas in various sizes, shapes and colours liven up an outdoor area while remaining essential items during the summer months.

Simplicity is key when it comes to creating a colour palette for an outdoor area. No more than three colours should be selected, and don’t forget, light neutral tones – in cool grey or light tan – can make a space some more expansive.

Extra tips

Good drainage will stop your backyard from turning into a swamp. Sometimes it’s as simple as a few well-placed agricultural-pipes. These are plastic, flexible pipes with holes perforated along their length. Bury these in trenches and they will drain water towards the end of the pipe.

Carports and garages can double as entertaining areas, especially for big occasions. The trick is to choose quality pavers that look just as good underneath cars as they do underneath outdoor tables. It’s also worth including power points for any extra lighting that might be required.

A wooden swing appeals to kids (and grown-ups who are kids at heart!). As a rule of thumb, there should be around 2.5-metre clearance in the front and behind the swing.

When designing the garden, it’s essential to look ahead. You may have future plans to add a pool, extend the house or enlarge the garage. Even the kids need different things as they grow, so this may affect the way you design the layout and how you position plants and trees.

For more ideas and inspiration, and to see the latest product ranges, visit your local Masters Home Improvement store.