Removable outdoor area for a rental home

[klcowan]

I moved into a rental with no nice outdoor area. After time to consider what I could do without damaging the property I came up with an idea. I acquired some skids from work to use as a base. I coated the bottom of them with bitumen paint. Got hold of some plywood for the top. Painted it with outdoor paint. A friend had a shade shelter that they never used. And what a blessing as it fitted perfectly in the space. I picked up some bluestone pavers to put pots on and purchased new plants. Now I just have to get decent grass to grow. 

 

 

 

[KatieC]

Hi @klcowan,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community! It is awesome to have you join us and share your removeable outdoor area project. You'll find Workshop as a great source of inspiration and advice for both renters and home owners alike. If you ever need assistance with the site please do reach out. 

This is such a clever solution to creating a shaded outdoor space in a rental! I am sure this new area will be a big hit this summer. Was the process of applying bitumen paint easy to do? Any words of advice for other renters out there looking to do a similar project? 

Katie

[Baretta11]

@klcowan 

What a fabulous transformation where other renters might never go as far and suffer as a consequence, you have made this place your home for as long as you are there and it really looks amazing.

I'm sure this will inspire many renters with possibilities.

Welcome to the community.

Cheers,

Barbara

[liv83]

How did u get the outdoor cover to be secure? Is it secure? I'd love to do something like this in my rental

For US and our shepherd who's outside 

[JacobZ]

Hi @liv83,

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community; it is great to have you with us.

It's hard to tell from the photos what they have used, but it may be something as simple as a heavy-duty tent peg as it is a temporary structure.

Allow me to tag @klcowan so they are notified of your question and can let you know what they've used. Hopefully, they will get back to you shortly.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[liv83]

Hi @JacobZ - thanks so much for your reply/help 

Im looking for something I can actually secure out the back - I saw your heavy duty gazebo I think it's more aluminum? So helps when it's windy - but the cost of everything is ridiculous. Especially for single parents 

Should be called the cost of "surviving" not living 😭 

So much research for such a small area 4*3 - wind is our biggest issue when it starts, it's no fun having it rip through things 

[EricL]

Hi @liv83 

I'm afraid that you are correct when it comes to strong wind. Anything not anchored down will get blown away or ripped apart. Even if you were to place heavy duty weights to the outdoor cover frame, the fabric would probably tear itself from the frame if the wind was strong enough. Let's wait for @klcowan for confirmation and see what they used to anchor the outdoor cover.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric