Better Homes and Gardens
Everyone deserves an outdoor space where they can chillout or entertain. But when the kids have taken over the backyard, where do the grown-ups go? If you have a carport or undercover area that doesn’t get much use, you have the perfect spot!
Take inspiration from this retro conversion, which has been revamped with a tiled feature wall, newly planted garden beds and a paved floor (it used to be pebblecrete!). It just goes to show that with a little work, an injection of creativity and a spot of colour, you can transform any space into a beautiful outdoor retreat.
With a nod to retro Californian style, furnish your outdoor area with sculptural pieces. It’s so Palm Springs!
Hanging baskets are ideal for sprucing up your area with a bit of greenery. Look for pots with water-saving bases so, when you give your plants a drink, water doesn’t drain onto any furniture below. Choose plants with a wonderful spill-over look, like rhipsalis. (This helps hide the pot, too!) Love the aircon coverup?
Cover up your air conditioner and maintain ample ventilation with this clever hack.
Choose large-leaved plants such as giant bird of paradise. Once they grow up, you’ll have a living privacy screen.
What we planted
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