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Backyard ideas: 3 reno projects to get it summer-ready

By Amy Collins-Walker • Leave a Comment

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With summer well and truly on its way, now is the perfect time to freshen up your backyard as it becomes one of the focal points for relaxing and entertaining during the summer months.

Outdoor spaces can become neglected during the cooler, wetter months of winter meaning that come spring, these areas often require some extra effort to spruce up. And whether you’re your pathway needs a refresh, or your patio is looking worn and tired, landscape expert and Adbri Masonry ambassador Jason Hodges, shares his top three renovation ideas that will have your backyard guest-ready in no time.

“Spring is the perfect time to be out with the cold and in with the new. By starting on one of these three DIY projects now, you can have a beautiful new outdoor room finished for Christmas, just in time to share with friends and family,” says Jason.

Adbri Masonry

Create an entertaining ‘canvas’
Summer entertaining remains the most popular use of the backyard for many Aussies. The outdoors brings an entirely different dynamic to enjoying time with family and friends – the freedom, natural light and open space creates an environment where conversation and socialising thrives

“When creating an entertaining area, it’s important to plan an area that promotes comfort and conversation. The comfort piece of the puzzle is building the essentials, the pavers that provide a flat, dry place for you to set up on. The other basics are the lighting and heating which allow you to use the space year-round,” says Jason.

To create comfort, the big focus is on selecting the right outdoor furniture. The key criteria are; using products that are made for the outdoors, creating connection between the pieces that stimulate conversation and togetherness, and lastly, selecting settings that are the right size for your space.

Adbri Masonry
An outdoor dining setting makes alfresco summer meals a breeze

“A great option for entertaining is blending formal tables and chairs with informal seating like garden walls with benches on top. It creates extra spaces and allows you to adjust your entertaining for the occasion. The other absolutely essential thing is that you don’t buy a setting for the one night a year you have the entire street over, but rather choose a setting that is the right size for how you will most often entertain,” says Jason.

Whether you’re looking to create a feature zone for dining or entertaining, building a garden path or completing a poolside area, concrete pavers are a clever and effective way to really make the best use of any space to be enjoyed day and night in summer.

Darker pavers are less likely to show stains, and are easier to maintain
Darker pavers are less likely to show stains, and are easier to maintain

When it comes to pavers, other things to consider include what colour to use (light pavers will make a small space look larger), textures, and the overall size and shape of the paver because this allows you to work with different paving patterns, depending on the look you want to achieve.

If your aim is to transform existing paved areas, try pressure cleaning. Not only is it a quick and easy way to improve its appearance, but you may also remove any oil or moss and restore the slip resistance of the surface.

Make the most of the space
Not all yards are created equal, in terms of available space, but where there’s a creative will, there’s a way to make the most of outdoor areas, big or small. “There are fewer constraints improving your outdoors than there are renovating indoors, and the key to unlocking the potential of your yard is creative thinking,” says Jason.

If your yard is sloped and you aren’t using every available square metre, you’re sitting on very valuable wasted space. Use retaining blocks to create terrace areas or install garden beds to bring a lively element into what would be otherwise dead space. If you don’t have lots of space in your backyard, you can always build up. Create a raised entertaining area out of nothing by framing the space with a freestanding, double-sided wall using concrete retaining wall blocks. This DIY project will define your backyard this summer, while doubling as an informal bench seating for unexpected guests.

Retaining blocks
Raised walls create garden beds and extra seating

Make a pathway unique
In times gone by, pathways have been a forced consideration to provide a stable thoroughfare to get from one side of the backyard to the other. In some instances, the side of the house has been completely forgotten, transforming this under-utilised part of your home into a mud pit in winter and dust patch in summer. Luckily, there are many great ideas to transform these areas into functional spaces that look great.

Pathway

A feature stepping stone path is not just aesthetically appealing, but it also activates a generally unused space and ensures that muddy floors, after a trip to the clothes line down the side, are a thing of the past. For added wow factor, lay the pavers offset in a stretcher bond pattern and fill the voids with decorative stones or greenery. Large format pavers are recommended to achieve the designer look.

What’s more, a stepping stone path leaves a gap between the stones allowing the water to infiltrate into the ground, as opposed to pooling and running toward the house or your fence. This makes it a great option for those narrow areas down the side of a home.

For more on Adbri Masonry | Need extra room? Rend a backyard shipping container!

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November 5, 2019

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SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag 👌🏻

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too 🍿 because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! 😍)

Annie’s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). “I made it in tribute to Australia and I’m thrilled to say that’s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. It’s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green that’s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.”

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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