Backyard transformation with deck

[LePallet]

This comprehensive D.I.Y. makeover included landscaping, decking, raised garden beds, screening, planting, new turf and a wonderful kids play area. It transformed a barren backyard to a wonderful outdoor area for the whole family to enjoy.

• The project
• Before and after
• Tips for your backyard project
• More inspiration for your backyard

The project

The first thing I started making was the raised garden bed with Merbau seating and two feature screens on either side using Composite Eco Sleepers from Bunnings.

I filled the raised garden beds with garden mix soil. As the rest of the garden was pure sand, I added bags of soil conditioner from Bunnings. I chose to go with a lot of succulents as they are as tough as anything and love the sand. I love my frangipani, yukkas, aloe vera and dragon trees on each side of the seat.

The deck is large and cost around $6,000 - $8,000. Normally people charge around $200 a square meter and I was quoted $12,000. My area is around 40 square metres and took three-to-four days to finish.

 

We used Queensland Blue grass. It’s not classified as couch, but still grows to a nice length. The only trouble we have found is it doesn’t like too much shade and not a lot of traffic on it either so a lot of love is needed over winter. In summer, it’s a nice soft grass and awesome for the kids to run around barefoot.

I also made this kids sandpit and chalk board as part of the backyard project. 

Before and after

 

Tips for your backyard project

One thing I wish we knew when building the house was we needed to dig down to a certain depth for the deck to make it all fit. We were very lucky at the time that there was no house next door and I managed to fit a mini digger to dig down the required depth to allow for the deck framing. From memory it was around 350mm once you add the decking, the joists and the beams, plus little wedge stumps and a few stumps concreted in. The ground was so hard but being compacted sand, I just had the hose running into the ground to soften it all up.

More inspiration for your backyard

Check out our Top 10 most popular garden makeovers for more ideas for your outdoor spaces.