🖼️
The project:
As a woman tackling my first major renovation, I transformed a bare, rubble-filled backyard at my Goodwood property into a colourful garden retreat with two distinct outdoor living areas: a covered patio deck outside the back door and a low garden deck surrounded by plants. I added privacy screening, pathways, decorative gravel and raised garden beds. Almost every plant and material came from Bunnings, only 1 km away😊. I chose plants to suit the sunlight each area received throughout the day, creating beautiful colour and a real wow factor. The project added year-round enjoyment, buyer appeal and significant value.
- Materials:
Deck & Patio Materials
Pathways and garden materials
- Tuscan Path 600 × 400 × 20mm pavers
- Classic Pavers 450 × 450 × 50mm non-slip concrete pavers — used as stepping stones.
- Matrix 890 × 290mm Picket Garden Edging — white edging used around garden beds.
- Synthetic turf
- Weed mat
- Garden soil and potting mix
- Garden mulch
- Assorted flowering plants, shrubs and screening plants
- Treated Pine Sienna Sleepers – 2.4m used to edge some pathways
- Paver sand
- Gold Dust decorative gravel — sourced elsewhere
- Tools:
Measuring and setting out
- Tape measure
- Carpenter’s pencil and marker
- Spirit level
- Builder’s square
- String line and stakes
- Straight edge
Deck and patio construction
- Cordless drill
- Impact driver
- Drill bits and driver bits
- Circular saw
- Mitre saw
- Hand saw
- Hammer
- Rubber mallet
- Socket set and spanners
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdrivers
- G-clamps or quick-grip clamps
- Sawhorses
- Extension leads
- Step ladder and extension ladder
Roofing and screening
- Utility knife
- Tin snips
- Caulking gun
- Roofing screw driver bit
- Measuring tape and straight edge
- Ladder
Ground preparation and pathways
- Shovel
- Spade
- Garden fork
- Mattock or pick
- Wheelbarrow
- Landscaping rake
- Rubber mallet for positioning pavers
- Broom
- Garden hose
Painting and timber finishing
- Paintbrushes
- Paint rollers
- Paint trays
- Stirring sticks
- Sanding block or electric sander
- Drop sheets
- Cleaning brushes
Planting and garden work
- Hand trowel
- Garden gloves
- Secateurs
- Watering can or hose
- Garden fork
- Shovel and rake
Safety equipment
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Sturdy work boots
- Knee pads
- Step 1:
Clearing the neglected backyard
I began by clearing the neglected backyard of weeds, rubble, broken materials and unwanted items. The area was uneven and had very little usable outdoor space. Removing everything allowed me to see the full size and shape of the yard and start planning how the deck, covered patio, pathways and garden beds could work together.
- Step 2:
Planning the backyard entrance and covered patio deck
This area beside the house contained the only door leading into the backyard, as the home otherwise had just a front entrance. Originally, stepping outside meant entering a narrow concrete path beneath an old awning, surrounded by weeds and with nowhere comfortable to sit. I planned to transform this important entrance into a welcoming covered patio deck that connected the house directly with the garden. The layout also needed to maintain clear access from the back door through to the pathways, garden areas and the separate low garden deck.
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- Step 3:
Building the main covered patio deck
After planning the layout, I marked out the main patio deck directly outside the backyard entrance. The support posts were positioned and the timber subframe was built across the existing concrete and adjoining ground. The bearers and joists were carefully spaced, levelled and checked so the deck would connect safely with the back door. Treaded pine decking boards were then installed to create a large, practical entertaining area and a welcoming transition from the house into the garden.
- Step 4:
Constructing the patio roof and enclosure
Once the main deck was completed, the timber posts and roof frame were constructed to create a large covered outdoor area. The roof was extended from the house over the full deck, while framing was added around the sides ready for privacy and weather screening. I wanted the patio to remain bright and connected to the garden while also providing protection from sun, wind and rain. The timber structure was later painted white and finished with roofing and screening to create a comfortable year-round entertaining space.
- Step 5:
Finishing and enclosing the covered patio
I completed the roof using alternating clear and grey Suntuf corrugated roofing sheets. The clear sheets retained natural light, while the grey sheets provided shade and helped reduce heat. I painted the timber framing white, fitted decorative lattice along the lower sections and added charcoal Bistro Blinds around the open sides for privacy and protection from wind and rain. I also installed screen doors so the patio could be completely enclosed when needed. Both decks and all the treated-pine sleepers were coated with Spotted Gum Oil, giving the timber a warm, coordinated appearance and added protection. After adding outdoor furniture, the former backyard entrance became a comfortable, sheltered outdoor room for year-round use.
- Step 6:
Building the second garden deck
I created a second, low-level deck farther into the backyard as another place to sit and enjoy the garden and water outlook. After clearing and levelling the area, I measured and marked out the deck, installed the outer frame and evenly spaced the joists close to ground level. I positioned this deck away from the house so it would feel like a separate destination within the garden. It was later surrounded by colourful planting and connected to the main covered patio by pathways.
- Step 7:
Creating pathways to connect the outdoor areas
I created pathways to connect the covered patio, the second garden deck and the different areas of the backyard. I marked out the routes and used treated pine sleepers to define the edges of some pathways and separate them from the garden beds. Gold Dust decorative gravel was spread between the edging, and grey pavers were positioned through the centre to create firm walking surfaces. I had the pavers delivered because they were extremely heavy, but moving and laying them was still one of the most physically demanding parts of the project. The finished paths connected both decks and guided people through the garden.
- Step 8:
Planning and planting the colourful garden
I planned the garden by watching where the sun fell at different times of the day. I read the plant labels carefully and asked Bunnings staff for advice so I could choose plants suited to the morning, midday or afternoon light in each area. Almost every plant came from Bunnings. I arranged them by mature height, shape and flowering colour, using taller plants for screening and lower plants beside the pathways and decks. The mix of colours and textures softened the timber structures, added privacy and created a beautiful outlook from both outdoor living areas.
As the garden became established, the second deck developed into a peaceful
seating area surrounded by colour. I finished and protected the decking, added
a table and chairs, and continued planting around the edges so the deck felt
integrated into the garden rather than sitting on its own. The different plant
heights, colours and textures provided privacy, softened the deck and created
interest from every direction. This became another inviting place to sit, enjoy
the flowers and take in the water outlook.
- Step 9:
Enjoying the finished transformation
Once the plants became established and the outdoor areas were furnished, the backyard was completely transformed. The covered patio provided a sheltered entertaining space, while the second deck offered a peaceful place to sit among the flowers and enjoy the outlook. The colourful garden connected every part of the yard and changed with the light throughout the day. Visitors regularly said “wow” when they first saw the finished space. As my first major renovation, I was extremely proud that the patio and garden became the standout features of the property, adding year-round enjoyment, buyer appeal and significant value.
