The backyard is much more than just an extension of the home; it’s a reflection of your lifestyle and personality which is why it’s important to consider every element and choose a style for your backyard that compliments your own. The preferred style does not have to be defined by the area you live in; you can draw inspiration from far and wide channelling happy memories from holidays to create a coastal chic theme for an inner city pad or a formal, rural backyard and garden for your home beside the beach. What’s important is choosing a style that is ‘you’ and creating your own personal retreat, wherever that may be.
“There is no limit to what we can create in the backyard,” explained landscape expert and Adbri Masonry brand ambassador, Jason Hodges. “Consider yourself the artist and your backyard a blank canvas. It’s all about pulling together elements that you love from a variety of sources that make you happy and bringing your own flair. Having distinguished pieces in your backyard is what gives it a personality of its own and helps you create the outdoor living space you’ve always dreamed of.”
“People tend to choose themes that remind them of great times they’ve had in the past or family holidays they have enjoyed and use them to create a backyard full of memories,” added Hodges. “As a result, there tends to be three key styles which we continue to see more of and I predict will be popular for years to come; a formal rural style, a revisited coastal theme and the inner city chic aesthetic.”
Here, Jason Hodges helps define each distinct look and offers simple tips on how to achieve these styles in your own backyard.
1) Rural
The rural style is a more regal, grand look, reminiscent of an estate in the French countryside and is ideal for larger properties with keen gardeners. Anyone can add some French flavoured country style to their backyard by selecting the right colours, materials and plants.
- Create the illusion of even more space by adding grass to the rural backyard. Define these zones using fencing, plants or materials such as pavers, grass or gravel to help each area stand on its own. A zoned garden will give each area its own purpose.
- If you have a penchant for maintained formal garden styles, add some hedging. An evergreen hedge creates a year round structured look and adds a splash of much needed green in winter.
- Adding split level or segmentation to a large country garden will help create movement and enhance the way the garden is perceived with terraced retaining walls adding to the grandeur and scale of your space.
2) Coastal
With more than 80 per cent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, it’s no surprise this style remains a favourite. We all have fond memories of a holiday by the sea or aspirations to retire by the coast. Creating a coastal style garden is one way to enjoy your own personal coastal sanctuary all year round and with some hardy plants and nautical props, that dream can become a reality.
- Choose light coloured pavers and pebbles to add texture and reflect light. Add accents of timber throughout and remember materials will deteriorate faster in the salt air so good quality is best.
- Hardwearing, low-maintenance plants, grasses and palms are best. They will add a splash of green and help set the scene.
- Add some seaside props to help create a relaxed, tropical feel. Think hammocks, deck chairs and wind chimes, whatever that key piece is that reflects fondly on beach memories. If your backyard allows it, you could even build an outdoor shower.
3) Inner City Chic
While small in space, this is certainly not the defining characteristic of the inner city chic backyard. Think smart, multi-usage pieces and clever use of somewhat limited space. This style is modern and minimalist and perfect for the time poor and practical that love to entertain.
- To maximise available space, add a functional vertical garden to an unused wall. Layering by colour and texture will add visual interest and make the space look even bigger.
- Large format pavers work best in small spaces as they give the impression of space. Choose a dark colour for a modern and minimalist look and avoid intricate patterns.
- Choose space savvy furnishings and clever storage solutions to form a functional outdoor space.
Selecting the right furniture is imperative to achieving the desired look and feel in any backyard. “A large, formal dining setting works perfectly in a large rural garden,” advises Guy March, National Contracts Manager, Cosh Living. “A coastal backyard is all about relaxed and casual furniture. Think day lounges and deck chairs and add an oversized umbrella for some much needed shade. The inner city backyard tends to be much smaller in size so furniture will need to be clever, multi-functional and take up as little space as possible while being practical and on trend.
Regardless of your own personal style or postcode, anyone can add their own flair to the backyard and create their own personal haven whether by the sea, in the country or the middle of the city.
For more information on how to add your own personal style to your backyard, visit www.adbrimasonry.com.au
|
About Adbri Masonry
View all posts by this author » |
