So our house didn't come with landscaping and we are trying to work out how to lay it all out. Now we are most likely going to do concrete alongside either side of the house. The non negotiables are that we need part artificial grass (low maintenance + animals) But we are also bummed that we don't have an alfresco /entertainment area to sit with outdoor seating so we are thinking do we do half concrete half artificial grass? Half concrete so we can maybe put some chairs etc. Would love raised thin garden beds along the back fence with dark bark and some plants? We would've loved part decking but $$$. Any one have any ideas/ inspo/ advice? Ill attach pics for reference of the back and sides of house.
Hi @sarah_azz,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
The first thing I’d suggest is sketching the space out, even roughly. Mark in fixed points like the house, doors, fences, services etc, then start blocking out zones like “entertaining”, “grass”, “garden beds”, and “paths”. It helps you see how everything will actually fit and flow rather than guessing as you go.
What you’re thinking with a mix of concrete and artificial grass is a solid approach. A dedicated concrete area for seating or an outdoor setting will give you that alfresco feel without the cost of decking, and then you can soften it with artificial grass around it, so it doesn’t feel too hard or sterile with some raised garden beds to line the area.
Here's a quick AI render to give you a bit of an idea of what this could look like.
You might also like to check out a few of our Top 10 articles for some inspiration.
@homeinmelbourne's Side yard revamp is a good example that is similar to what you're after.
Have a look through these articles and projects and pick out a few ideas to add to your sketch. When you have a few ideas, we can certainly look at how best to turn them into a reality.
Allow me to tag our helpful members @mich1972, @Dave-1, @J-P and @projectmumdanni to see if they have any ideas they can add.
Jacob
Good Afternoon @sarah_azz
Wooot a new area to bring to life :)
Love @JacobZ's render as it would be a nice solution.
I have a question, that third picture you posted, is that whole area yours or split between your neighbours and yourself?
Sketching out the hard points top down really gives an indication of what you can do with the space.
Some things I would really make sure of is where the water will end up from your hard surfaces and where it will go. Include drainage before the concrete with a few access points for sure. Adding in another water tap further in the yard might be an idea for some timed water systems.
If the space above (third pic) is all yours, I was thinking about a courtyard type deal, something with beams between the garage and house. You could grow a vine over them or some slats. A built in long bench seat with a couple of small built tables on wheels could be placed along one wall.
I like the fake grass area out the back as it has some sun for your pets area. A small type tree would cool it in the summer (Something with close roots and not too much spread to the branches, Keep it pruned under 5m and you will have loads of shade.
I like the idea of pavers from the built in seat down past the water heater, you can have it change sides of the wall to hug and plant shade tolerant plants in those areas.
Dave
@JacobZ Thanks you for response and for the pic! I have just annotated a pic as the sliding door will be where that furniture is in the pic haha
We were thinking the raised garden beds also because of the botchy fence job/ to come the bottom of fence but its so hard to know if itll all fit due to the size of backyard. Would it look weird just to do the raised garden beds on the artifici
al grass side maybe?
@Dave-1 that pics is part my space part my neighbours, we need to organise fencing but trying to work out concreting first :) Wish it was all our space haha! Would love the courtyard idea
Hello @sarah_azz
There should be no issue with moving the raised garden bed to the location of your choice. My best advice about the raised garden bed is to build it as an independent structure and not lean it on either house wall of fence. This will prevent any possible moisture damage from travelling into the wall or fence. @Dave-1 raises a good point about drainage, it would be best to have proper side or centre drains installed such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-3m-easydrain-polymer-grate-and-prejoined-channel_p4770175 and have a plumber link it to your storm water drain.
As to the fence finish, you could cover it with a https://www.bunnings.com.au/lattice-makers-1800-x-900mm-yellow-bamboo-half-raft-screen_p0014410 to give it a nice natural finish. Adding potted bamboo trees will add a bit of shade and keep the area green.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Is this more like what you were thinking?
I added a https://www.bunnings.com.au/mimosa-3-x-3-6m-charcoal-palermo-gazebo_p0584088 over the concrete and moved the furniture beneath that. I also made the garden beds lower to avoid issues with them putting pressure on the fence. You could create a simple edge using some garden edging or sleepers and then simply lay your artificial turf up to that border.
Let me know what you think.
@JacobZ Yes love that idea with the undercover area! And love the colour as it matches the house. Also thanks for the advice of not putting pressure on the fence @EricL
and advice on the drainage.
Good Evening @sarah_azz
Will see if I can come up with some other ideas :) I still like the mobile furniture that can be used two ways. You are going to have a perfect solid pathway between the side and the back yard part. Will see what I can come up with.
