Backyard transformed with planter boxes and seating

[Nidge]

Raised timber planter boxes with built-in seating turned a bare backyard into a lush, inviting outdoor space.

• The project
• How to build a planter box
• More project inspiration for your outdoor areas

The project

I started with a bare, desolate space and turned it into our little piece of paradise. It took me about six weekends to complete all the planter boxes, juggling kids and other commitments.

I was a bit slow as I have never done anything like this before. All the soil and mulch had to be brought in by buckets as the side access was limited. It took some time!

Getting the boxes level caused a few headaches, and getting the angles on the all the cuts was a massive challenge as it was all new to me. It was also a bit scary using a drop saw for the first time.

The knowledge I got from the Bunnings team was so valuable. They must have been sick of the sight of me!

The soil goes all the way to the ground. To keep the weeds away I put a layer of cardboard at the bottom.

I also used some polycarbonate roof sheets to line the sides of the boxes to to keep the soil from contacting the wood and prolong the life of the boxes. I only used these as I had them left over from the old roof I took down. I also painted the wood.

On the seating area I used MicroPro-treated sienna Pine as there were going to young kids sitting here eating at times. 

How to build a planter box

Experienced Bunnings Workshop member Adam Woodhams has put together this brilliant step-by-step guide and video tutorial: How to build a planter box with bench seats.

Workshop member Rob gets right down to basics in his guide: How to build a simple planter box. Resident D.I.Y. expert Mitchell also created this handy guide: How to build a raised garden bed using pallets. 

More project inspiration for your outdoor areas

Workshop member Jimi carried out a stunning front-yard transformation involving a curving stone retaining wall and crazy paving complemented by thoughtful garden planting.

Workshop member Rufaro's complete backyard makeover turned a tired yard into an attractive and functional outdoor living area.

There are also plenty of great ideas in our collection of Paving ideas for outdoor entertaining areas, our Top 10 most popular garden makeovers and our collection of Ideas to revamp your side yard. 

Let us know if you need a hand with your project – we're here to help.

[Remarka6le]

This is awesome @Nidge , the night feature is fantastic and I love the seating. I may need to steal this for our own project Well done. 

[Nidge]

Thanks remarka6le it’s my absolute pride and joy, it’s great to get comments like yours when I’m totally new to this stuff.

Neil

[Benskimo]

What an amazing transformation!! Well done. And I dig the charcoal... it really makes the plants and timber dressing pop. Really cool.

[sumlilbean]

Hi @Nidge, 

is there any chance you could tell

mw the plants you have used in the garden boxes .. they look amazing!

thank you

[Nidge]

Hi the plants in the planter boxes are , giant bird of paradise, palms - bungalow,cascade,and raptis, cordilines,Tropicana black and gold,agave , cheese plant and elephant ear. Nidge

[EricL]

Hi @Nidge

Thank you very much for sharing that information about the plants. Let me tag @sumlilbean to make sure they see your response.

Eric

[sumlilbean]

Thank you both very much 😁

[EricL]

Hi @sumlilbean

Please make sure to post an update once you begin your own planter box project. I'm sure our members are keen to see what you're building.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[sportyrom]

Hi @Nidge, I used your idea to cover the gutter the in the middle of my backyard using by making a cover similar to yours using decking boards. It now looks neat and safe to be around it with my 3yr and dog playing.

[EricL]

Hi @sportyrom 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

It's great to hear that @Nidge's project has inspired you to create a solution to the gutter in your backyard. Would it be possible for you post a photo of your project? I'm sure our members would be keen to see how you built your solution.

Eric

[Maureen53]

Hi. 

I'm new to this.  I'll dive straight in with a question. 

Does anyone know of any solar lights that I can sit in my plants under cover patio ?

That has the solar box a few metres away?

[EricL]

Hi @Maureen53 

That's perfectly fine you can ask any D.I.Y. question you like. 

I suggest having a look at these solar sets:

• Gardenglo 500lm Solar Powered Flood Light
   
• Arlec 100 Lumens LED Garden Spot Solar Light
   
• Click Aspen Solar LED Spot Light - 3 Pack
   
• Luxzone LED Solar Disc Light - 4 Pack 

The sets I've mentioned all have their solar panels independent of the light itself except for the last one. There are more powerful sets, but they are meant for security. I recommend visiting the electrical section of the store and having a look at the solar sets that might work for your patio area.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Nidge]

Sounds great @sportyrom 

[sportyrom]

@EricL here are some pics. Not as clean a job as @Nidge but managed to get it done.

 

[EricL]

Hi @sportyrom 

Thank you so much for posting photos of the cover you built. It's good handy work and makes an excellent safety cover when your kids are outside playing.

We look forward to seeing your next project.

Eric

[Nidge]

Looks great to me @sportyrom

[robjohn]

Hi @Nidge , Looks great! What dimensions are your boxes and what materials did you use ? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @robjohn,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Hopefully, @Nidge will respond shortly, but I can offer some help in the meantime.

They've mentioned that 200 x 50mm H4 Sienna MicroPro Sleepers which come in 2.4m and 3.0m lengths were used. It also looks like standard 200 x 50mm Treated Pine Sleepers were used in some areas.

It looks like SpecRite 90 x 19mm Merbau Pre-Oiled Decking was used for the capping, seating platform and trim work.

Taking an educated guess, the planter boxes look like they are 2400x600mm and 600mm high.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Nidge]

Hi @robjohn,

I used H4 treated pine and sienna also the boxes are mostly 2.4 by 0.6 and stacked on top of each other.

Neil