Kristina Soljo
Landscaping your backyard can seem impossibly difficult – for your body and your wallet – but you don’t have to go it alone.
In this five step how-to, Charlie Albone, director of Inspired Exteriors and TV presenter on Lifestyle, proves that with a little inspiration and a few straightforward tasks it’s easy to get the job done.
1. Get the concept
All good landscapes come from having a definite direction and this usually comes from a person who has done their research and knows exactly what they want from their garden. Look at what you like, what you don’t like and all the elements you want to fit into your space.
The rear elevation of this Sydney terrace renovation shows the now fluid connection between inside and out. Photographer: Anson Smart | Styling: Alexandra Gordon | Story: Belle
2. Draw a plan
Drawing a scale plan will allow you to ensure everything you want will fit into your space. It also helps prevent you from varying from the plan, which usually leads to a disjointed mismatch of a space.
3. Budget
Be realistic with your landscaping budget and cost everything out, don’t just try and fit the numbers to your ideas. Work out how much your ideas will cost and then prioritise by what’s the most important to you. It’s much better to have a quality finish over anything else. The quality of your backyard garden will live on long after the budget is forgotten.
This sculptural landscaped garden was designed by Ian Barker of Ian Barker Design. Photographer: Matt Lowden | Story: Belle
4. Shop around for materials
Specials and sales are on all the time and you can save lots of money by shopping around. Think outside the square and look for recycled items not only to save money but to also add character. When you’re buying outdoor tools, make sure to purchase products that are good value and good quality so you don’t need to regularly replace them. I like to use Husqvarna tools in my garden.
5. Trade planning
Plan what needs a professional and what you can do yourself, remembering not to bite off more than you can chew. Most people can dig and move dirt, but not everybody can build decks, lay paving or render walls.
Interesting, textural low- and mid-level plantings bring layers of softness to this Sydney garden, which pays homage to a bygone era. Photographer: Nicholas Watt | Story: House & Garden
