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How to improve appearance of drain area?

Antica

Hi, I’m after some advice on how to make this drain area look cleaner and more modern.

I’m not too concerned about the tap, but since I’m creating a garden bed here, I’d like to tidy up the drain area so it looks neat and finished but still budget friendly.

Is there something I could use to cover or improve it? I’m open to any suggestions!

Ideally, I’d love the space to look like the AI‑generated image below, just with the drain included.

Please help! 🙏

ChatGPT Image Aug 9, 2026, 01_46_54 PM.png

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R4addZ

Hi @Antica

If you like all the square lines as in the render, you could replace the current drain grate with one of these but you should concrete round it (and under the edges)to give it support and protection. you don't have to bring the concrete up the edges which will allow the pebbles to come right up to the edge giving a nice clean look. They also come in white or black i think but I thought in a really modern look silver wold be more in keeping with what you are after.

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Antica . It’s great to have you join us and many thanks for your question on landscaping.

One of the main differences between the area as it is now and your inspiration image is that your existing surfaces are at several different levels. You have the raised cement around the drain, the brick/paved section, the edging, and the concrete area to the right. To achieve that clean, uniform appearance, you’ll ideally want the finished garden bed and gravel to form one reasonably consistent, flat plane.

I’d start by determining exactly what height you want the finished gravel to sit at and then work backwards from there. Depending on that level, it might be necessary to remove some of the concrete surrounding the drain and potentially have the drain altered so the grate finishes neatly at the new surface level.

As this could involve modifying the drain or associated pipework, any plumbing or drainage alterations would need to be carried out by a licensed plumber. Once you know what can be done with the drain and establish your finished height, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what needs removing, building up or covering before adding your garden bed and decorative gravel.

The important thing is to keep the drain accessible and functional rather than simply covering it with landscaping materials.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

EricL

Hello @Antica

Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend upgrading your drain cover to something a bit more in keeping with your upgraded backyard. I propose looking at using https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-easydrain-aluminium-grate-and-flo-way-pit_p4770231 and standard bricks as a surround trim for the drain. Please note that the drain cover can only be changed or modified by a licensed plumber. I've placed a sample image below rendered using AI to give you an idea of what it could look like.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

ChatGPT Image Aug 11, 2026, 01_19_55 PM.png

ChatGPT Image Aug 11, 2026, 01_28_38 PM.png

Antica

Hi Eric! Wow that looks amazing 👏 Thank you so much for your suggestion.

R4addZ

Hi @Antica

The advice you are recieving is good and either of the grates linked to would be fine. Also the advice from @MitchellMc regarding establishing the level for everything is good but you are actually constrained in that descision by the Pit next to the grate. That concrete area to the right is actually a pit lid, you can tell because there is a hole for a pit lid lifter in it (the pattern on it is also a dead giveaway). not knowing what is under there and knowing how much work is involved in changing the height of a pit (I'm in Telecommunications) you should base your heights around that. However, that said you should also check along the bottom of the brickwork to ensure you aren't going to cover any airbricks or weep holes (usually gaps in the vertical mortar between some of the bricks) as these are necessary to prevent damp conditions from forming in your house.

Antica

Thanks @R4addZ 🙏

Good point about the pit lid! I hadn’t realised what it was until you mentioned it. I’m not sure what its purpose is or how to check, especially since it must have been covered by rocks or leaves when we bought the house. It’s been a while since I’ve been up that side, so I completely missed it. This is what the space currently looks like. 🫣🥴

I’m thinking it’s best to leave it as is or maybe cover it with some loose gravel so it stays accessible if anyone ever needs to get to it. There’s also a small brick step there, so I’ll need to rethink the drain setup and make it as child friendly as possible.

I’ve noticed the ventilation gaps sit a bit higher in the brickwork, which is reassuring, but I’ll double check there's none anywhere below before I go ahead with anything.

This space has so much potential, I'd hate to keep wasting it.

R4addZ

Hi @Antica

Not knowing how long you intend living there, it is hard to advise but the space looks wide enough and long enough to be used as secure storage for either a boat or a caravan and that can add value to the house. So if you don't see this as your forever home, keep that possibility in mind when designing the space.