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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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  1. Home
  2. DIY

Before and after: Adam and Melissa's courtyard makeover

How to make a DIY wall garden that pops! - by Adam Dovile
  • 05 Feb 2021

They say life is like a chocolate box and Adam and Melissa have unwrapped a real cracker! They visited an old chocolate factory which has been turned into an industrial-style apartment complex. But the interior courtyard of one residence is lacking a little lustre. Together, Adam and Melissa transform the courtyard into a stylish oasis, full of renter-friendly ideas you can use at your place.

WATCH: Adam and Melissa's courtyard makeover

Living in a former factory has become de riguer as old buildings are repurposed. They have a unique charm with lots of one-of-a-kind features. The big plus is they're open and airy, which means you don't need to hold back when designing rooms, such as this enclosed courtyard. 

Project: How to build an industrial-style green wall

Courtyard makeover before

Before: An lacklustre, underused space

Courtyard makeover with green wall

After: This DIY wall garden lets you just pop your plants into the boxes

Simon Griffiths

Build your own modern masterpiece! This hanging garden features rows of boxes and calls out for an eclectic range of plants. 

Gather your supplies

  • 2400 x 1200 x 18mm marine plywood (2)
  • Black exterior paint
  • Variety of succulents in small pots

Components

Split battens 60 x 1800mm (12)

Backing board 1800 x 1200mm (1)

Box sides and ends to suit pot sizes

You'll also need

Painting equipment; circular saw; PVA glue; 30 and 50mm galvanised screws; drill; 8mm masonry drill bit; blue wall plugs; 75mm galvanised batten screws

For you to note

  • Prepaint marine plywood components with black exterior paint.
  • Buy plants and then customise the dimensions of your boxes to suit the sizes of your pots.

Here’s how

Step 1

When cutting split batten components from plywood sheets, cut one long edge of each batten with your circular saw set on a 45° angle.

Step 2

Step 2: How to make a green wall

Step 2

Simon Griffiths

Glue and screw 2 split battens to the rear of the backing board with 30mm screws. Make the angled cut the bottom edge of the batten and position it facing the board. Place a batten at the top of the board and the second batten towards the bottom.

Step 3

Step 3: How to make a green wall

Step 3

Simon Griffiths

Set out the wall for 2 more split battens that will sit below, but interlock with, the ones on the board. Consider the height of your board when setting the wall battens out. Drill holes in the wall using an 8mm masonry drill bit, insert blue wall plugs, then screw battens to walls using 75mm batten screws. Make the angled cut the top edge of the batten, facing the wall.

Step 4

Step 4: How to build a green wall

Step 4

Simon Griffiths

Glue and screw 4 split battens to face of backing board to support the 4 rows of plant boxes. Make the angled cuts the top edge of the batten and position them facing the board. Place the topmost batten so another batten will fit between it and the top edge of the board. This will make the top row of plant boxes flush with the top of the board.

Step 5

Step 5: How to build a green wall

Step 5

Simon Griffiths

After cutting box side and ends, use plywood offcuts to make small strips that will sit on the inside of the boxes and support the rims of your pots. Attach the strips to the inside faces of box sides and ends 10mm from the top edges.

Step 6

Step 6: How to build a green wall

Step 6

Simon Griffiths

Assemble boxes by gluing sides and butting into ends. (The boxes don't have bases.) Predrill and screw together with 50mm screws. Cut up remaining split battens to suit width of each box and screw to the back. Make the angled cut the bottom edge of the batten and facing the box.

Step 7

Step 7: How to build a green wall
Simon Griffiths

Touch up cut edges and screws using black exterior paint.

Step 8

Step 8: How to build a green wall

Step 8

Simon Griffiths

Lift backing board and sit it on the wall so split battens on the back of the board interlock with those on the wall.

Step 9

Step 9: How to build a green wall

Step 9

Simon Griffiths

Place boxes on backing board so split battens on boxes interlock with those on the board. Sit pots inside the boxes.

Green wall in courtyard

The final result: The boxes have internal supports for pots and are open at the base for drainage. Amazing!

Simon Griffiths

Decorating the courtyard

Courtyard makeover

Clean lines give the courtyard an edge in keep with its character

Simon Griffiths

Complete the look with plants

Bamboo, sword plants and a dragon's blood tree all have hard, sharp leaves that complement the angles of the courtyard. Showcase them in concrete or metal tubs and planters. 

Get the step-by-step instructions for how to make a timber bench in the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, available now in selected newsagents and supermarkets – or buy online today!

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Adam Dovile
Adam Dovile
You still can’t wipe the smile from the affable chippie who won season 2 of House Rules with his wife Lisa in 2014. They then got married in May 2015, and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to join the Better Homes and Gardens team as their resident builder, it’s fair to say that Adam’s grin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie and Adam give a '70s courtyard the ultimate makeover

Charlie and Adam give a '70s courtyard the ultimate makeover

How to espalier like a pro

How to espalier like a pro

How to build a wooden deck

How to build a wooden deck

A ‘50s front garden is given a makeover

A ‘50s front garden is given a makeover

{headline}

{headline}

The 3 most popular decorating styles for 2021

The 3 most popular decorating styles for 2021

Johanna and Charlie give a backyard a resort-style makeover

Johanna and Charlie give a backyard a resort-style makeover

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

{headline}

{headline}

Update your front porch

Update your front porch

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

Make your house shine

Make your house shine

5 quick ways to make a new house feel like home

5 quick ways to make a new house feel like home

How to make your rental feel like home

How to make your rental feel like home

This woman transformed her apartment into a rainbow

This woman transformed her apartment into a rainbow

10 ways to make a rental home your own

10 ways to make a rental home your own

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