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An outdoor entertaining area with a deck and pergola can extend your home's living area and provide the perfect setting for creating memories with family and friends.
From building a deck to adding outdoor kitchens and installing lights, Bunnings Workshop members have shared many ways to make their alfresco areas more inviting, stylish and functional. Get inspired by the examples below and let us know if you need help with your project.
1. Build a deck
A deck can help extend your home and embrace the outdoors, providing a fantastic space to relax and entertain guests. Shane (@DIY4Knuckleheds) built a low-level hardwood deck under a verandah and finished it with a clear oil for a rich, natural look.
Don’t miss our Top 10 most popular deck projects and low-level deck builds for more inspiration.
2. Add furniture
Get the most out of your outdoor spaces by adding furniture for relaxing and entertaining. Trevor (@softwareburnout)'s D.I.Y. outdoor hardwood table is big enough to accommodate a crowd.
Our Top 10 most popular outdoor furniture projects contains plenty of other great ideas.
3. Lay paving
Paving outdoor entertaining areas can create a stylish space that's easy to maintain. Jessey (@jesseydiamond) saved time and money by installing crazy paving straight over the existing concrete in this alfresco renovation.
Bunnings D.I.Y. expert Mitchell (@MitchellMc)'s guide How to lay crazy paving provides step-by-step instructions to follow.
4. Build an outdoor kitchen
An outdoor kitchen allows you to cook while socialising during a party. Workshop member @jeffjen included a pizza oven and barbecue in this outdoor kitchen makeover.
Here are more outdoor kitchen ideas for your home.
5. Construct planter boxes
Planter boxes can help add greenery and make a great feature to enliven your outdoor entertaining area. Community member @Itai bordered a three-tier deck with built-in planter boxes to create a stylish outdoor entertaining space.
Experienced Workshop member Rob (@Peggers) has shared instructions on making a very simple planter box for beginners.
6. Install a servery
A servery can be a practical addition to your outdoor space for preparing and serving food. Leanne (@craftyhopper) created a serving area using Acacia Project Panels and a tiled splashback.
You can find more practical ideas for your outdoor spaces with our Top 10 most popular outdoor projects.
7. Build a pergola
Pergolas can help ensure you get use of your outdoor entertaining area all-year-round. While extending his alfresco area, @Jimi added a customised pergola using a Softwoods Pergola Kit ordered through Bunnings.
Check out more pergola designs for year-round entertaining.
8. Add greenery
An artificial plant wall can offer a low-maintenance touch of greenery in any space. Wanting to spruce up their decked alfresco area, Nicole (@Nikkaz) turned a bland wall into an eye-catching feature with this easy-to-build artificial plant wall.
Create your own with this step-by-step guide: How to build a plant wall feature.
A vertical garden can also be used to add greenery to your outdoor space while adding character to a plain wall or fence. Daniel (@Wados) built an outdoor entertaining area that has a vertical garden featuring 400 individual plants.
Have a look at 5 ways to create a vertical garden for more examples of vertical gardens shared by our members.
9. Install outdoor lighting
Lights help set the mood at any party. Tom (@tom_builds)' backyard covered patio with low-level deck features white LED party lights.
Have a look at these 10 ways to prepare your house for a party for more ideas on how to get your home ready for entertaining.
10. Add blinds
Outdoor blinds can provide some much-needed shade and protection from harsh weather. Sandra (@sandy_d) attached a retractable outdoor blind to block out the sun in her barbecue entertaining area with pergola. The addition of bistro blinds can also help protect from the rain, wind and cold.
10 ways to keep cool in the summer contains more clever solutions to help you beat the heat.
Need more help with enhancing your outdoor entertaining area?
The Bunnings Workshop community can assist with further inspiration and advice for renovating your outdoor area. Don’t hesitate to start a discussion and tell us what you would like to achieve. We’re here to help.
