6 Creative Ways to Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space

We all love our outdoor living space and the Aussie winter is the best time to make any improvements, and with that in mind, here are a few creative ways to transform your garden.

1. Replace the decking– Old decks are ready to be resurfaced and with Pioneer composite decking, you get a long warranty for premium timber. Finish the project with new outdoor furniture and add a few tropical plants for a natural look. You could hire a landscape gardener to do the work, but you will save a lot of money if you go down the DIY route. Order the timber from a leading timber merchant and choose the best quality tongue & groove planks, which will stand the test of time. You might need to build small steps to give access to the lawn and fencing would likely be required.
2. Vertical wall gardens – A piece of net and a few pots are all you need to create a vertical wall; ideal for concealing a wall and adding greenery to the space. You could hang one of these from a mature tree using some string; get creative and you can mask a/c compressors and other ugly items. Using nature to create natural screening is a great idea; check out the web for some great resources that show you how to create vertical wall gardens. You can use old plastic pots or make them from empty soda bottles. A bit of acrylic paint works wonders!
3. Create a water fountain– If you are handy at DIY, you can find all the information you need online; install water pipes a few inches under the ground and connect them to the fountain, which you can buy at a local garden centre. Use coloured LED lighting for a Disney-like effect and wow the neighbours. Failing that, your local landscape contractor can handle such a project and they can work within your budget. A central fountain in the middle of the lawn is a great feature that stands out to visitors.
4. Build a fishpond– Select a corner of the garden that is suitable for a pond, then draw a to-scale diagram. You will need a water source, of course, which can either be a natural stream or you can build a catchment area and connect that to the mains water. We recommend a fibreglass pond and you can stock it with koi carp and some suitable plants, creating a small stream that feeds the pond. Install a couple of filters and after a few days, you will notice the local wildlife coming to investigate. Having a quiet corner in which to relax is good for mental health.
5. Add extra levels– If you have a sloping garden, it is possible to move earth from one part to another and that allows you to build extra levels. You can build retaining walls and perhaps a small rockery that you can plant. This adds character to a garden, even though it is more work to maintain, many Australian homeowners prefer to shape their garden into a multilevel area. If you need to import soil to create additional levels, this won’t break the bank, acquire a few large stones and rocks to landscape, then find suitable plants to add some greenery.
6. Planting trees for screening– While fencing is fine, creating a natural screen from conifers and other evergreens is a much nicer type of screening. Choosing trees that do not shed their leaves is wise, as this saves a lot of maintenance work. Planting a row of conifers down the side of your property is a great way to give yourself a bit of privacy.

Of course, everything depends on the terrain and the resources you have available; it is important to check that the drainage is adequate before doing any work; a clay-based area might need to be dug out and shingle added to aid water drainage. The Australian winter is the best time of year to carry out garden improvements, and when the summer arrives, you have a stunning garden to enjoy. If you need professional help, contact a local landscape gardener, who can help you create a plan, plus he can work to your budget.