🖼️
The project:
The backyard had plenty of potential, but it offered little protection from the weather and the space wasn't being used to its full potential. I wanted to create an outdoor room that felt like a natural extension of the home.
What was once an ordinary outdoor area is now a light-filled entertaining pavilion designed for year-round family gatherings. Natural timber, skylights, custom decking, landscaping and thoughtful design details create a seamless extension of the home while embracing the surrounding bushland. The project combined months of planning, problem-solving and hands-on DIY work.
- Materials:
Reinforcing bar
Trench mesh
Reinforcing mesh
Bastion Mortar
Bastion Concrete
Besser Block
Melamine sheeting
Dunlop acrylic render
Merbau decking
Treated pine
Cup Head Bolts
Exterior roof Silicone
LVL Ebeams
Merbau Posts
VJ Pine panels
VUEPRO 90mm Galvanised Concealed Post Support
Roof Extenda MKII Brackets
Velux Fixed Skylights
Facia Boards
Ametalin Reflective Roof Insulation
VJ timber panels
Dulux Weathershield Exterior Paint
Dyna Bolts
Garden soil mix
Tarpaulin
Fibre cement decorative VJ Panels
Matador Dark Stainless Steel Bar Fridge
DAR pine
Crommelin Wet look Paving and concrete sealer
Mimoso Rhone outdoor setting (bunnings)
- Tools:
Ryobi Orbital Sander
Ryobi Jigsaw
Ryobi Cordless Drill
Ryobe Nail Gun
Ryobi Circular Saw
Ryobi Angle Grinder
Ryobi Router
Wheel Burrow
Trowel
Rederers sponge
Pop rivet gun
Clamps
Tin snips
Thicknesser
Pick Axe
Ratchet set
Pedestal Feet
Ozito Drop Saw
Ozito Angle Grinder
Extension Ladder
A-frame Ladder
Shovel
Diamond Concrete Grinding Attachment
Camo Secret Screw tool
- Step 1:
Vision, Design & Planning
Firstly, I put pencil to paper, focusing on creating an outdoor room that felt like a natural extension of the existing home rather than an add-on. Careful consideration was given to roof pitch, skylight placement, traffic flow, entertaining spaces and preserving the surrounding bushland character.
Every major component was designed on paper before a single piece of timber was cut. I filled pages with sketches refining proportions, roof lines, cabinetry layouts and drainage details until every element worked together.
Once I sketched everything out to how I wanted it to look, I then refined my sketches to fit with regulations, and with products and materials available to purchase.
I spent months planning, refining and building the project, taking my time to get each stage right rather than rushing the finish.
Tip: Spend extra time on planning and proportions. A well designed project looks intentional and saves countless hours of rework later.
- Step 2:
Site Preparation & Excavation
The original area was underutilized and required substantial excavation to create a level, functional space. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough side access for heavy equipment so I summoned my inner infantry soldier and I got to digging. Existing plants were carefully removed and retained where possible, while the site was reshaped to work with the natural contours instead of against them.
Tip: Keep and reuse mature plants where possible, they soften hard landscaping immediately and save years of regrowth.
- Step 3:
Retaining Walls & Drainage
New retaining walls were constructed to stabilize the site and create usable levels. Drainage provisions were incorporated behind the walls to manage water effectively and ensure long-term durability.
Sometimes when you see walls will many cracks in them, it's often because they didn't core fill every hole and use vertical AND horizontal reinforcing rod. Expect to put a lot of effort onto things that will never be seen (footings etc). It's better to do it right the first time.
I had to hire a jack hammer for part of the excavation as there was existing concrete where my footings were going. Sometimes problems present themselves, but you come to factor these things in over time.
Because the property doesn't have much side access, I had to carry each bag of concrete, mortar and render to the back of the house by hand and mix manualy in a wheel burrow. I estimated around 1400kg of concrete. Needless to say, I didn't need to attend the gym on those days. *
- Follow me for more workout hacks, lol.
Tip: Good drainage is one of the most important parts of any retaining project. Always plan for where water will go before laying the first block.
- Step 4:
Benchtop pour
Before the build, I purchased the bar fridge. It sounds a bit backwards, but I needed to check and double check the measurements before I made the cutout the fridge would eventually go into. Because the deck wasn't built yet, this was a little more complicated as I had to measure the height from the top down.
Fortunately, it fit like a glove in the end.
I used melamine as boxing and sealed the gaps with silicone. Don't forget to reinforce the concrete with mesh and reinforcement bar before pouring. Concrete alone isn't strong enough.
I used a diamond cup grinding wheel to clean up the surface and give it a smooth/finished feel.
With this finished I could finish rendering the wall and start painting.
Tip: Always double and triple check your measurements, particularly when you have appliances that need to fit.
- Step 5:
Deck Construction
The deck was built using a combination of adjustable pedestal supports and concealed fixings to achieve a clean, premium finish while allowing airflow beneath the structure. The curved sections required careful measuring and repeated test-fitting to maintain consistent lines. I used secret screws to attach the merbau decking boards.
Tip 1: Hidden fasteners dramatically improve the final appearance and are well worth the extra effort on a feature project. Don't fix the timber directly to the concrete. Using spacers will allow water run-off and air flow, increasing the longevity of the project.
Tip 2: Don't deck right up to the wall. Leave a small, nail-width gap. That way, when you stain the deck, you can place a plastic strip in that groove and mask off the wall.
- Step 6:
Structural Timber Framework
Large engineered timber members and hardwood posts formed the backbone of the pavilion. Careful planning ensured clean lines, balanced proportions and a structure that complemented the existing home.
Particular attention was given to the symmetry of the project. The ridge beam lines up with the center of the BBQ, which lines up with the decking boards, which lines up with the double doors at the back of the main house. Call me OCD, but it's satisfying.
Tip: Dry-fit major structural elements and check everything multiple times before committing to final fixings. Small errors become very noticeable on large spans. This is where stringline and levels come in handy.
- Step 7:
Roofing & Skylight Installation
The cathedral-style roof was designed to maximise natural light and openness. Skylights were positioned to brighten the center of the space while maintaining privacy and creating a strong visual feature.
The Colorbond ridge capping was cut out by hand. Carefully measuring, cutting and folding each piece for a clean, weatherproof finish. Foam inserts were placed underneath to ensure any moisture stayed out.
Gutter mesh was a must for this project as there were many trees that drop leaves. The colours were matched with the existing roof. In this case, the Colorbond colour 'Pale Eucalypt' was used.
Tip: Natural light can completely transform an outdoor area. Proper skylight placement makes spaces feel larger, warmer and more inviting. If you have the opportunity, install them before the roofing iron goes down, it's much easier, but not necessary.
- Licensed professionals should always be engaged where required for regulated work.
- Step 8:
Ceiling Lining, Insulation & Finishing
Timber tongue and groove lining boards were installed on the ceiling to introduce warmth and character, while insulation improved comfort during both summer and winter. If you look closely, the board joins are mirror image to the opposite side. A minor detail, but the perfectionists will appreciate. DAR pine was used to create a light funnel to the skylights.
The Velux skylights flood the space with natural light while maintaining protection from the weather.
Paint colours and finishes were carefully selected to blend seamlessly with the existing home.
A custom box was crafted for the fan to attach to. The fan mount would have been wider than the ridge beam otherwise. This way, it hides the electricals and is much more presentable.
Tip: Investing in insulation and quality finishes turns an outdoor structure into a true year-round living space.
- Electricians should always be engaged where required for regulated work. Don't mess with electricity.
- Step 9:
Outdoor Kitchen & Entertaining Features
The project included an integrated outdoor kitchen and gathering area designed for family events and everyday use. The kitchen doors were made with leftover timber from the build.
The hinges were cut from galvanized piano hinges, then embedded into the timber to create a flush finish.
A wet look sealer was used on the countertop before the BBQ was installed.
Tip: Plan power, lighting and appliance locations early in the design process to avoid costly changes later.
- Step 10:
Final Landscaping & Styling
The final stage focused on bringing everything together through planting, furnishing and finishing touches. Adding the Mimoso Rhone outdoor setting from bunnings really sealed the deal and made a perfect place to sit back and relax.
The goal was to create a cohesive outdoor retreat that felt established, welcoming and connected to the natural surroundings.
The outdoor kitchen was designed around the BBQ rather than simply fitted afterwards.
The space has completely changed the way the backyard is used. What was once an underutilized space is now the heart of the home. A place for family meals, entertaining friends and relaxing outdoors throughout the year.
The best DIY projects don't just transform a backyard, they change the way people use it. This space has become my favorite place to cook, relax and spend time with loved ones, and that's exactly what I hoped to create when I first put pencil to paper.
Tip: Small details such as lighting, greenery and comfortable seating, often make the biggest difference to how a space is ultimately enjoyed.
I couldn't say how many Bunnings trips were made, but my stack of receipts should give you a fair idea!
#homeawayfromhome
