🖼️
The project:
We transformed our sloping, open front yard into a private, secure and functional outdoor space by building a custom gate house, retaining wall, timber fence and feature limestone entrance.
The project created a welcoming entry while improving privacy, security and street appeal.
We completed the majority of the work ourselves, from constructing the fence and gate house to concreting the pathway, installing limestone crazy paving and adding the finishing touches. This D.I.Y. transformation turned an outdated front boundary into a statement feature that complements our 1970s home renovation.
- Materials:
- Rapid set concrete
- Besser blocks
- Treated structural Pine framing timber
- Treated Pine fence palings
- Wet saw fence rails
- Colorbond roofing sheets
- 100x100 limestone cobbles
- Limestone wall tiles
- Tile adhesive
- Grout
- Penetrating tile sealer
- Metal gate frame
- Gate hinges, latch and fixings
- VJ boards
- Decorative timber trim/mouldings
- Exterior screws, masonry anchors and construction adhesive
- Dulux Weathershield paint tinted to Natural White.
- Tools:
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- String line
- Shovel and wheelbarrow
- Concrete mixing tools
- Brick trowel and masonry tools
- Makita and Ozito drills
- Makita impact driver
- Makita circular saw
- Ozito mitre saw
- Nail gun
- Clamps
- Hammer
- Caulking gun
- Concrete screed and finishing tools
- Angle grinder with diamond blade
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Grout float and grout bag
- Buckets and mixing tools
- Ozito detail sander
- Paint brushes and rollers
- Ladder
- Step 1:
Build the foundation
We constructed a reinforced besser block retaining wall along the front boundary, leaving an opening for the new entry pathway and gate.
We built the letterbox section of the wall ourselves, while we outsourced the remaining wall to be laid, concreted and core-filled to ensure a strong structural foundation.
During the core-filling process, metal stirrups were concreted into the wall to provide the structural supports for the gate house.
The retaining wall levelled our sloping front yard, creating a flat, secure and usable outdoor space while providing a durable base for the fence and gate house.
- Step 2:
Construct the fence
We waterproofed the base of each fence upright before concreting them into the ground behind the retaining wall, positioning them to stand 1.5 metres above the besser block wall.
Once the concrete had cured, we fixed horizontal rails between the uprights and used a nail gun to attach treated Pine palings, creating a strong, durable fence that provided privacy while complementing the gate house design.
- Step 3:
Build the gate house
We constructed the gate house frame using structural Pine, securing it to the fence framework and the reinforced stirrups set into the retaining wall.
Once the frame was complete, we installed Colorbond roofing to create a durable, weatherproof structure before lining the ceiling with VJ panels for a polished finish.
The completed gate house transformed the entrance into a welcoming architectural feature while providing shelter and tying the entire front boundary together.
- Step 4:
Construct the pathway
We dug out and levelled the entry pathway and formed a single step before installing reo ready for the concrete pour.
Using a Concrete Taxi, we pumped the concrete into place and screeded the pathway ourselves to achieve a smooth, level finish.
Once the concrete had cured, we tiled the pathway with 100 × 100 limestone cobbles using Davco SMP Evo tile adhesive.
After the tiles had set, we grouted them with Davco grout in White and finished by sealing the surface with Dunlop Tile Sealer to protect it from the elements and ensure a long-lasting finish.
We also installed 2 of the adjustable metal gates.
- Step 5:
Clad the feature wall
We transformed the plain Besser block retaining wall into a statement feature by cladding it with natural limestone crazy paving.
The stone came in irregular shapes, so we carefully pieced each section together like a puzzle, trimming only the final pieces where needed to achieve a natural, seamless finish.
We installed the stone using Davco SMP Evo tile adhesive before grouting the joints with a grout bag, allowing us to neatly fill the joints while maintaining the natural crazy paving look.
The finished wall became the centrepiece of our home’s new entrance and dramatically enhanced its street appeal.
- Step 6:
Install the finishing details
We added decorative timber trim beneath the fence palings to give the front boundary a refined, custom-built appearance. These finishing touches tied the fence and gate house together and elevated the overall design.
- Step 7:
Prep and paint
We filled nail holes, sanded all exposed timber and applied multiple coats of Dulux Weathershield in Natural White. The fresh paint protected the timber from the elements while giving the entire structure a crisp, timeless finish.
- Step 8:
Landscape the entrance
We completed the transformation by landscaping along the retaining wall, softening the hard surfaces and breaking up the white stone with the white fence.
We used a mix of walking Iris, Saltbush, Rosemary, Chalk sticks and Desert Stars. All super hardy and sun tolerant plants.
Add a bit of KiCarma Cyprus mulch & the street appeal transformation is complete.
- Help and inspiration:
[article footer]
More inspiration for your front yard makeover
Bunnings Workshop community member EleventhCoastal created a low-maintenance front garden using Oxy-Shield steel garden edging and Lytworx garden lighting.
A Mediterranean-inspired front facade makeover by LaCasaDIY included an arbor, planter boxes, paving and front entrance improvements.
Get more ideas from our Top 10 most popular front yard projects and 10 ways to improve your home's street appeal.
[article footer]
