For many Melbournians, living in the inner city means missing out on having a large garden with a lush lawn. But even if you have only a limited amount of outdoor space, it doesn’t mean you can’t create a beautiful garden and relaxation area. This week, we take a look at a few of the elements essential in creating an elegant courtyard garden.
Invest in decorative surfacing
First and foremost, it’s important to choose a surfacing solution that is both durable and stylish. Since most of your courtyard area is likely to be paved, what you choose to put underfoot will be a prominent design statement. Courtyards are classically paved in ceramic or terracotta tiles but you can play around with texture and colour by opting for more unusual surfacing solutions such as coloured concrete, textured concrete, or exposed aggregate.
Balance sun and shade
Not all courtyards are protected from the elements, so it’s important to balance sun and share so you can enjoy the courtyard throughout they day. Shade cloths and sun umbrellas are two ways to create a shady area without taking up too much space. You can also create your own canopy by training grape vines or wisteria for green, cost effective coverage.
Create a connection with the house
The best courtyard designs are those that are integrated either physically or conceptually with the rest of the house. Big double doors or a slight roof extension that juts out and creates an undercover area in the courtyard are two ways to physically connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s also possible to create a conceptual link between the two areas by echoing aesthetic elements of the house such as the colour scheme in the outdoor area.
Plan your greenery
Because you only have limited planting space in a courtyard, it’s important you take the time to really think about what kind of plants you want growing there. Pots, planter boxes, and hanging baskets are all popular courtyard planting options that are easy to maintain, and resist pests. It’s also important to have at least one large statement plant to draw the eye and create a sense of balance rather than clutter in the yard.
A Better Driveway specialise in installing decorative concrete surfacing such as exposed aggregate around Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03 5783 4746.