• HOME
  • BLOG
  • DECLUTTER
    • Live A Clutter Free Life
    • Living On Purpose
  • GET ORGANISED
    • Accomplish Your Goals
    • Routines & Daily Tasks
    • Kids’ Stuff
    • School Lunch Ideas
    • Paperwork
  • BE INSPIRED
    • Childrens’ Rooms
    • Kitchen
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Storage Ideas
  • RESOURCES
    • 10 Awesome Teacher Gift Ideas $20 And Under
    • 7 Best Women’s Gift Ideas
  • CONTACT

Organised Pretty Home

Home Organisation Made Easy

You are here: Home / BE INSPIRED / Before & Afters / Our Amazing Garden Makeover Before And After

Our Amazing Garden Makeover Before And After

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

Spread the love
     

I have lived in this house going on 14 years now and the backyard was the last big area to tackle. 45 years on and it needed a lot of work! A few years ago I replaced our 1970’s kitchen. Last year hubby did an amazing job renovating the bathroom. We also had our rusty, leaking verandah replaced with an insulated patio.  Now onto the backyard!

Let me say at 38 weeks pregnant this backyard makeover happened just in time to enjoy the garden with our new little girl on the way! Since it is such a huge transformation I thought i would post photos on here of the landscaping before and after if you are looking for your own ideas.

Our Garden Before

We have a wide, shallow backyard that slopes towards the house. Our soil is basically sand. The space we were working with measured about 14 metres wide and 8 metres long.

We have been able to enjoy the space more in winter with a portable fire pit and lovely winter sun that warms half the patio.  Summer is a different story! 

The hot afternoon sun hits the patio and the house.  Along the back fence there are some beautiful big trees; a paperbark and bottle brush which provide shade.  Plus, shade from neighbour’s trees. The sloping garden made it difficult to sit back there.

Oh, and also there were some very big and deep holes from giving the kids permission to dig to their heart’s content. Plus, drainage issues with water going into the shed because of the level of sand.

The Backyard Renovation Plan

On my list:

  • Getting rid of the slope.  
  • New paving area at the back of the garden where all the lovely shade is in summer.  
  • Including space for both raised garden beds. 
  • Level ground to the floor height of the shed.
  • Lawn (Well that was hubby and kids’ request!)

I did spend a lot of time browsing Pinterest, watching backyard makeover videos etc looking for ideas. None of it was very useful! I just didn’t find many gardens (like any) that had the issues that we were facing. Instead I got the most help from talking with the landscapers who came out to quote the job.

Like telling me that if I levelled the backyard to the fence then the fence would fall over. Also pointing out that the house behind us sits higher. Oh yeah! If we put lawn in, we need to also put reticulation in for it. In the end, it wasn’t so much about what plants to put in but what we wanted the bones of the space to look like.

Backyard Makeover: Before

Ok, first I have to share with you our backyard before. This was at the end of our wettest winter in 20 years so yes the weeds and grass were doing well.  It did get mowed after these photos!

Can you spot the 2nd raised garden bed on the right that is taken over by couch grass and weeds? Oh, and trying out paint colours on the shed!

Yep, that’s a great Australian clothesline which had rusted through.  We already had an alternative clothesline under the patio which we use.  

Rock/sand pile dug up from the side of the shed by myself and one of the kids.  Trying to solve the problem of water draining into the shed.

A bright spark in the garden… winter silverbeet!

So in the end the landscaping design was fairly simple.  Put in a retaining wall along the back of the garden and level the backyard to the wall. Then have 3 sections; an area for lawn, paving, and wood chips for the vegie beds. 

We got a local landscaper to do most of the work.  Yes, it increased the budget a lot more than what us DIYers are use to.  But I am so glad we made that decision.  

Landscaping Progress

And here are a few photos of the process. 

Two days of moving a whole a lot of sand, grass and rock.  Bye, bye sloping garden!  They had to get a small digger in for this part.

Ground is level and retaining wall starts to go in.  Wall built from large limestone blocks. 

(We chose to go for a circular wall rather than a straight wall.)

Paving almost finished.  We chose these limestone coloured pavers. Prep work done for the grass area and setting out where to put the raised vegetable beds. 

Checking out the progress. Is the garden makeover cat approved?

Backyard Makeover: After

And here’s what it looks like now…

Space, we have so much space we can use now!!

We have retic and grass!! Kids and hubby are happy.  Grass is Palmetto, a soft leaf buffalo.  

Can you believe how different the shed looks painted? I painted it in Dulux Weathershield Paperbark (38 weeks pregnant too!) which is the same colour as the trim and gutters on our house. The trim is colorbond Surfmist which matches the patio. 

(There is still more of the shed to paint but that will have to wait to post baby!)

And herbs are happy to be back in the garden! Have thyme, oregano, basil and Italian parsley growing.

And again our backyard makeover before and after…

MORE ROOM REVEALS…

  • Living Room
  • Master Bedroom
  • Laundry Before & After
  • Shared Kids Bedroom
  • Tween Girls Bedroom

Related


Spread the love
     

Before & Afters

About Jane

Follower of Jesus. Wife to Daniel. Mum to three energetic Aussie Indian kids. Loves reading, trying new things and pottering at home. Inspired by nature, Pinterest, vintage finds and paint colours. Believes that we flourish best when our homes are uncluttered and organised, as well as when we are surrounded by what we find beautiful. Here you will find simple ideas, inspiration and encouragement to help you let go of the clutter and makeover your home.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Meet The Author

Hi friends, so glad you stopped by! I'm Jane, an Aussie Mum of three, who has learnt over the years that a great amount of simplicity, organisation and beauty in my home benefits my family as well as myself. My aim is to share with you the best tips and ideas you need to also enjoy serenity in your own home. Find Out More…

THE BEST OF…

  • 10 Awesome Gifts for Male Teachers
  • Living Room Toy Storage Ideas
  • How to Organize Kids Toys
  • 15 Ways To Display Kids Artwork In Your Home
  • 15 Cute Ways To Organize Girls Hair Accessories
  • 15 Awesome Kids Book Storage Ideas
  • 5 Simple Tips For Decorating Shelves
  • How To Get Housework Done With A Baby & Toddler
  • 12 Best Gifts for Your Sister or Sister-in-Law
  • 10 Awesome Teacher Gift Ideas $20 And Under

Recent Posts

  • Alva Baby Nappies Review
  • Boys Teal Bedroom
  • 15 Awesome Kids Book Storage Ideas
  • DIY Lego Table Ideas with Loads of Storage
  • The Best Way To Store Lego
  • The Best Lego Minifigure Display Ideas
  • 10 Printable Valentine Cards For Kids
  • 15 Ways To Display Kids Artwork In Your Home
  • 15 Cute Ways To Organize Girls Hair Accessories
  • Cute Stuffed Animal Storage Ideas

Copyright © 2020 Organised Pretty Home

I love it when you share! However please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are the property of Organised Pretty Home unless otherwise attributed. Feel free to use one or two photos provided that a link back to the original post is included. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!

Copyright © 2022 · Style theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 · Style Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...