🖼️
The project:
This was the first project we completed just days after getting the keys to our newly built home in April 2026… it was a priority for us to create this outdoor space- even when the inside of our home remains uncompletedđź¤
We wanted to create this space to gather with our family and friends, relaxing, listening to music and enjoying the warmth of the fire.
It is a simple space, but it is already our favourite part of the yard and we are so proud of the work we put in to bring our vision to life.
- Materials:
• 100mmx100mm 2.4m treated pine posts x2 (for festoon lights to hang from)
• Treated pine decking 140x22x3m (for edges of fire pit area)
• Wire rope (to hang festoon lights along)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-1-5mm-x-50m-stainless-steel-wire-rope_p4310958
• Zip ties (to attach festoon lights to wire)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/crescent-610-x-9mm-heavy-duty-cable-ties-25-pack_p0381629
• Weedmat and pegs.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pillar-1-8-x-25m-black-landscapers-weedmat_p0542243?store=2010&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23022021534&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB-a6HXOYmzP_BsJ0X6kFsCVI&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4JbTBhCoARIsALWUaBurWM_JspVu91pUEeoQCrn6FRKF1WIFPkWR5hhvQHdr5x9k3YRJZ9gaAmyDEALw_wcB
• Bowline stainless steel saddle (for fence to attach poles for safety)
• Wire Crimp (to secure wire after it’s placed through the eye hooks)
• Hook and eye turnbuckle x4
https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-5mm-stainless-steel-hook-and-eye-turnbuckle_p0237917?store=2010&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB9SLSOf2Xq0uTFdOqbBJ9Jp3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4JbTBhCoARIsALWUaBvHH0LYmcjbwB51bcvW2GayNNUjMXbo7k8TWY_P6VbVDuH1kDWN9DMaAvlTEALw_wcB
• 30m Festoon Lights.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/lytworx-30-warm-white-connectable-festoon-party-lights_p0376368
•Eye hooks x2 ( to attach festoon lights to post)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhang-20mm-zinc-plated-screw-eye-hook-10-pack_p0225567
• Glow black fire pit
https://www.bunnings.com.au/glow-black-acheron-fire-pit_p3180659
• Trailer load of rainbow stone rocks
• Oak whisky barrel x2
https://www.bunnings.com.au/northcote-pottery-57cm-oak-whiskey-barrel_p2832286
• Quickset Cement x4 bags
https://www.bunnings.com.au/westbuild-20kg-kwikset-concrete_p0760207
• Potting Mix
https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-osmocote-50l-premium-potting-mix_p2962143
• Plants - any chosen flowers from Bunnings range
• Solar lights x 2
https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-200-lumen-led-solar-sensor-floodlight_p0181800
- Tools:
• Circular saw (for cutting wood)
• Shovel
• Sand screed
• Wheel barrow
• Hammer
• Drill
• Stanley knife
- Step 1:
Rake the area picking up any builders rubbish (stones etc). Remove excess sand and use the sand screed to get the sand nice and flat.
- Step 2:
Measure the area and prepare the wood decking boundary by cutting it to size with the circular saw. Place the wood in the desired location, then hammer a star picket into the ground to hold the wood in place.
- Step 3:
Place the weed mat covering the entire sand area, hammer weed mat pegs in the corners to hold the mat down. Use a Stanley knife to cut away any excess weed mat.
- Step 4:
The rocks can now be placed on top of the weedmat. Use the wheelbarrow to bring them from the trailer to the fire pit area. Pour the rocks out and rake them to create a smooth layer of rocks covering the entire weed mat.
- Step 5:
The poles for festoon lights can now be prepared. Mix the quick cement up as per package instructions. 2 people will be needed here. One person will need to hold the pine post upright inside the whisky barrel, while the other person pours the quick cement. Hold it in place until the cement dries (it dries nice and quicklyđź‘Ť)
- Step 6:
Secure the pine pole to the fence to prevent it falling and causing injury or damage. Screw an eye hook into the fence, and one into the back of the post, pass some wire through both hooks and crimp it. The post can be secured on 2 sides in the corner of the fence.
- Step 7:
Screw eyelets into post, and gutter fascia, then attach the hooks and eye turnbuckle (these are useless to tighten the wire if it begins to droop), feed wire through the holes. Crimp wire at the end. The festoon lights can then be hung along this wire, use cable ties to secure the lights.
- Step 8:
Use potting mix to fill the rest of the barrel up, planting some flowers in the soil.
- Step 9:
Screw the solar lights into the pine post.
- Step 10:
Finally, set up the fire pit in centre of rocks. Light a fire, set up a camp chair and sit under the glowing festoon lights enjoying the fire and admiring all the work you’ve done.
