Graded backyard lawn with retaining wall

ziyadali

🖼️

The project:

I transformed a sloping, uneven backyard into a level and functional outdoor space. The project involved constructing a concrete retaining wall, raising and supporting the existing fence, then backfilling, compacting and carefully grading the yard to create a level surface. Once prepared, I laid new Sapphire Buffalo turf to establish a lush, durable lawn. To complete the transformation, I restored the existing Colorbond fence by spray painting it in Dulux Monument, giving the backyard a clean, modern finish and dramatically improving the overall appearance and usability of the space.

- Materials:

Concrete – retaining wall footing/base and wall construction
Reinforcing steel (reo bar) – reinforcement within the concrete retaining wall
Steel fence posts/extensions – to raise and support the existing Colorbond fence
Formwork timber/plywood – forming the concrete retaining wall
Timber stakes and bracing – supporting formwork during construction
Structural/fill soil – backfilling and raising the backyard level
Compacted road base/crushed aggregate – where required for stable foundations and levelling
Turf underlay/topsoil
Sapphire Buffalo turf
Treated pine sleepers – retaining/edging along sections of the boundary
Drainage gravel and agricultural pipe – where required behind retaining structures
Dulux Monument exterior paint – refinishing the existing Colorbond fence
Metal primer – preparing exposed or repaired fence surfaces before painting
Fasteners and fixings – screws, bolts, brackets, anchors and fence hardware

- Tools:

Mini loader

Plate compactor

Concrete mixer

Wheelbarrow

Shovels

Landscaping rake

Lawn levelling lute

Lawn roller

Spirit level and string line

Tape measure

Circular saw

Drill and impact driver

Angle grinder

Hammer and mallet

Screed / straightedge

Concrete trowels and float

Pressure washer

Paint spray gun / airless sprayer – applying the Dulux Monument finish

- Step 1:

Clear and excavate the backyard

- Step 2:

Establish finished levels

- Step 3:

Construct the retaining wall

- Step 4:

Raise and reinforce the existing fence

- Step 5:

Backfill the yard

- Step 6:

Compact the fill

- Step 7:

Final grading and levelling

- Step 8:

Prepare and lay the lawn

- Step 9:

Prepare the existing fence

- Step 10:

Spray-paint and finish

EricL

Hello @ziyadali

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your backyard lawn project.

You've done a fantastic job creating such a neat, level and inviting backyard. The fresh Sapphire Buffalo lawn looks great. It's the kind of outdoor area that's perfect for relaxing and enjoying with family and friends. If you have any progress shots from the project, we'd love to see how this impressive transformation came together.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful project with the community.

Eric