10 DIY Ideas for a Better Back Yard

Having a great backyard is something that almost everyone aspires to have, whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve been working on your existing one for years. With a better backyard, you’re able to have space where you can enjoy a nice cold beverage on a hot day, host a BBQ, or just enjoy your beautiful back area. 

There are many ways that you can build a better backyard, so for your convenience, we’ve taken the liberty of finding 10 different DIY ideas that you can do yourself. 

At Hirepool we believe in doing DIY smarter - and saving time and money in the process! We are a community of dedicated DIY enthusiasts who keep costs down by getting stuck in and making projects happen independently. We have a range of tools and garden equipment to make your job easier, and we want to help you out, too. Give us a call or drop into your local branch for advice on any one of these garden ideas - our team will be happy to sort you out with the right tools for the job.

Without further ado, let’s get into the garden inspiration. 

1. Create a raised garden bed

First up, we have a project that will improve almost any garden, without the need to call in a landscaper. A raised garden bed is an excellent way to grow whatever you like with added ease and a stylish look. A raised garden can be as big or small as you like and has a slew of added benefits when compared to a regular flatbed garden - reduced weeds, more sunlight, ease of access and more.

Check out our step-by-step guide to building a raised garden, and knock off this easy DIY in a weekend with the right tools from Hirepool. 

2. Upgrade your fence

It’s incredible how much of a difference it can make when your garden fence is looking smart, fresh and free of the usual signs of ageing and wear and tear.

Not only does a fence add privacy and safety, but it can also have a huge impact on how your backyard looks and feels when you spend time there.

You don’t always have to start again from scratch, either. Most dilapidated-looking fences can transform into something majestic with the right facelift! Check out our guide on improving your fence for more specific directions and advice.

Hire a post hole borer, nail gun or saws from Hirepool and do this DIY the smart way. 

source

3. Make it cosy

Making your backyard a pleasure to inhabit at any time of the year is no mean feat, but definitely possible with the right ideas and know-how!

Consider digging a fire pit in your back garden to use when entertaining friends. Deck out your seating area with cushions and a basket of blankets and perhaps install some outdoor heaters!

Invest in some comfortable seating and dining equipment so that bringing meals out into the garden is a breeze. Having more opportunities for outdoor leisure time can be very liberating, and are achievable at a modest cost.

4. Upgrade your outdoor furniture

On that note - how's your outdoor furniture looking? If it’s looking a little tired and uninspiring then there are a few DIY outdoor furniture hacks you could try! Knock together a bench seat easily in a weekend to create an amazing outdoor entertaining area. Just make sure the corners are neat and the seating surface is sanded smooth with tools from Hirepool. 

Refresh existing furniture or second-hand store finds with a coat of paint for a pop of colour in your outdoor entertaining area. 

If you can find some scrap wood or cheap timber from a hardware store, the possibilities are endless for creating stylish and satisfying outdoor furniture. Sanding, paint and varnish work wonders on almost any wooden surface - check out some ideas for making your outdoor furniture fun and something to be proud of.

 5:  Build a compost area

The benefits of a healthy compost system in your backyard are numerous. A home composting system can turn your food waste into a powerful natural fertiliser for your garden and help your plants thrive while saving food waste from going into the landfill. A composting area in your backyard can be small or large depending on the size of your property, and believe it or not, can be quite subtle and stylish when done right. The easiest way to install a compost bin in a weekend is to purchase a compost bin from a local hardware store and create a stylish wooden housing around it, disguising its utilitarian appearance. 

Compost is also a great place to throw organic household waste and green waste from mulching. Check out our favourite recipes for great mulch mixes for your garden. 

06. Shine a light on garden lights

Once the evening sets in, the way you light your garden and/or outdoor living area opens up countless new avenues for your enjoyment of the space. Get creative with fairy lights, led lights, festoon lights - whatever captures the imagination. 

You can easily erect lighting poles to support hanging light features, with all the required tools (such as a post hole borer) available at Hirepool to make your life easier.

Think about creating focal points, lights that draw the eye to the most flattering points in your backyard.

Make sure to counter any garden lights with mosquito management, as small flying critters are guaranteed to congregate at any outdoor light source.

07. Upgrade your grass

What is a backyard without well-kept grass? Sometimes, your lawn may need a little love or (in extreme cases) a complete replacement. Take your grass from dry and prickly to lush soft, perfect for backyard recreation and pleasing to the eye. Hirepool has all the guides and equipment you’ll need for landscaping on a budget, including upgrading your lawn to immaculate condition.

Once you have a landscape design in mind you can re-sow your grass reap the reward once it has grown to a fully mature height. Re-sowing grass is time-consuming and sometimes requires a bit of initial work, but it’s always worth it when you're left with your dream result.

08. Spruce up your deck

Is your deck looking a little worse for wear, or just due for a good clean? Give it a scrub or, for more tough discolouration or grime, use a water blaster to get your deck looking good as new. To learn how to avoid streaking and other handy water blaster hacks, check out the complete guide we’ve put together just for this job.

After you’ve finished cleaning and protecting your deck, consider what decoration you could add - potted plants for colour and texture, lighting (as mentioned earlier) and perhaps outdoor art to add to the feel of the space.

Don’t have a deck? Build one! Check out our step-by-step guide on how to build a deck. 

09. Build a retaining wall

While this task may seem more daunting than others on this list, the result will be incredibly rewarding and you’ll be learning a lot about garden landscape design. Creating levels in your garden can help maximise the space, allowing for even more possibilities for planting and space for outdoor entertaining.

You don’t need a degree in landscape architecture, either - we’ve put together a complete guide on building a retaining wall, that you can read right here on our blog. You can get all the tools for the job at Hirepool, too - we’re committed to being your solution for budget landscaping.

10. Create a modern garden design with concrete

Concrete is affordable, easy to work with and handy for a number of DIY projects in your backyard. You can create paths, paver effects, planters and other decorative elements with concrete - if you’re extra creative, you can even create outdoor art and furniture with this versatile material. 

If you don’t feel confident working with concrete, it’s easy to learn how. Check out our guide on how to mix concrete perfectly every time. You can get all the equipment you need for mixing, laying and removing concrete right here at Hirepool.

Ready for a better backyard?

There you have it. Those were our 10 DIY backyard garden tips. Full or garden inspiration and ready to tackle an easy backyard DIY job and enjoy your outdoor areas even more? 

Here at Hirepool, we have a variety of tools and garden equipment to help you tackle any landscaping or DIY job. We are advocates for getting the job done the smart way, without breaking the bank. To help you, we have written extensively on many facets of DIY work here on the blog - check out our handy guides for tips and inspiration for getting your project done or order the gear you need online now.