We all know how incredibly important water and pool safety is in Australia, especially when it comes to having children running and crawling around the home. To that end, each state in the country has their own up-to-date regulations on pool fencing designed to make your pool the safest it can be for your family.

This doesn’t mean that you need to create a mini fortress around your pool — in fact, pool fences come in an array of styles that will work seamlessly with any kind of home decor and backyard landscaping, just make sure you consult a qualified pool designer or certifier in the process!

The most common types of pool fencing

Aluminium pool fences

One of the most common types of pool fencing used — powder coated aluminium fencing comes in an array of different styles from ornate finial designs to loop tops, and a wide range of colourways. Due to its lightweight and relatively inexpensive price point, it’s easy to install with just one person and requires no specialist tools. If installed correctly and, it will require very little to no maintenance over the years.

Frameless glass pool fences

Frameless glass is another popular choice primarily due to it’s clean aesthetic and the fact that it doesn’t obstruct the view of the pool area in the backyard while all other kinds of fencing do. While it is the more expensive choice (it requires two people to install, specialist tools and can be challenging to handle), it requires minimal upkeep in the future, so it can definitely be a sound investment.

Semi-frameless glass pool fences

Semi-frameless glass is the inbetween for both aluminium and frameless glass panels — visually it is less obstructive than aluminium fencing, but it’s still more obstructive than frameless glass, and it’s price point reflects this. Each panel of glass is supported with rubber wedges by aluminium, steel, or even timber posts, but over time these rubber wedges can become loose and affect the alignment of the glass. It also tends to be higher maintenance when compared with aluminium

What’s trending at the moment?

“Frameless glass is becoming more popular as a pool fencing solution. Regardless of its higher price point than traditional powder coated aluminium, homeowners are seeing the value in the visual appeal of frameless glass,” says John Eaves, the product manager at Highgrove Bathrooms. “Not only is this type of pool fencing most aesthetically pleasing, but frameless glass requires little to no maintenance over the years. As outdoor spaces become an extension of the living area, unobstructed views make frameless glass the most popular choice.”

What are the key safety regulations?

“Each state actually has different regulations regarding pool fencing, so make sure you take that into consideration, particularly if you’ve moved from interstate,” says John, “The best place to start is to research and create a plan of your intended pool fencing. Be sure to consult a certified pool inspector and have them check over and approve your plan prior to commencement.”

“According to NSW regulations, your pool must be surrounded by a sturdy and compliant pool barrier with a height of at least 1200mm from ground level. Additionally, there should be no more than a 100mm gap between the fence bottom and the ground,” adds John.

Across most of the states, pool barriers must be a minimum of 1200mm tall with gate latches required to be self-closing and self-latching, as well as at least 1500mm high from the ground. Climbable objects must not be within 900mm of the pool barrier, and the pool should not be directly accessible from any nearby house or building. Your pool fence will also most likely need to be installed prior to filling a new pool with water.

The post 3 pool fencing ideas for Australian backyards appeared first on Homes To Love.

And while the teams of landscapers did a good job of levelling out the ground around The Block houses, nothing could make it a level playing field. While Leslie and Kyle were throwing their entire remaining budget — a measly $40,000 — into it in hopes of finally being able to take out a win, neighbours Steph and Gian had close to $140,000 left to spend.

In an effort to boost budgets, there was a great “Block bucks” swap between houses. Then there was drama. There were threats of an audit. Fingers pointed. Promises retracted. Tears. More tears. Yet somehow, there were still five outdoor spaces — each fitted out with a complimentary Plungie pool — delivered to the judges come “tools down” (which was yelled by a Make-A-Wish Foundation recipient) on Sunday.

The judges brought The Block‘s resident landscaper Dave Franklin on board to help score the outdoor spaces this week, offering the potential for the winners to walk away with $50,000 if they got four 10s. We were keen to hear what he really thought of the backyards, so invited him to help write this article.

So let’s see what all the judges had to say.

HOUSE 1: KYLE AND LESLIE

The stakes were high for Kyle and Leslie this week, who threw mud (their entire budget) at the wall (their backyard) in hopes that something would stick. They’ve had a gnome up their sleeve for weeks now, but haven’t ever found themselves in a close enough position to play it.

Drama ensued over their decision to lock in a fixed-fee contract with landscaper Troy Lovett, it felt like nosy neighbours Leah and Ash spent almost more time in Kyle and Leslie’s backyard than their own this week. They couldn’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that the travertine tiles, custom raised stepping stones, crazy paving, lush planting and shower/water feature over their plunge pool (plus the absolute army of landscapers) was only costing the couple $40,000.

But they needn’t have worried. The space, unfortunately, got a mixed response from the judges. While it was all ooohs and ahhhhs to begin with, things quickly unravelled. While Marty had no doubt the spectacular floating steppers up to the pool would photograph well, he added “if I had my kids here, I’d be stressing 24/7 of them falling off left, right and centre.”

Darren loved the rust-tones and undulating edge of the stone tiles that transition into crazy pavers around the fire pit. (“It’s quite a bold move doing that,” added Marty.) They weren’t too sure about the second seating area tucked around the corner, though. “Acoustically, would you plan a seating area next to an air conditioner,” asked Darren. Probably not. And while they did have two skinny raised garden beds for vegetables, we think it was a missed opportunity not to make this space a designated market garden.

Similarly, while the no-mow grass area was aesthetically-pleasing, when considering the excess space wasted on a weirdly-positioned pool fence and exceptionally deep garden beds, we also have to ask, where do the kids play?

Cash spent: $41,800

Score: 33/40

What Dave Franklin had to say…

“The pool looks amazing and has massive wow factor and the floating steps will definitely make for a great front cover, but the BBQ area felt like it wasn’t properly considered and built into the design, and they could have side-pinned the glass fence to the pool to make the backyard bigger.”

HOUSE 2: LEAH AND ASH

Will she get her Camerich furniture? Will she not? It was an emotional week for Leah and Ash, who planted themselves in the midst of a conflict with one of The Block’s loveliest couples. But aside from all the bold accusations, backstabbing and budget woes, the headstrong couple delivered a 180sqm garden that reflected what they “have going on” inside, as well as their quirky, curved exterior.

“Look at that pool,” Marty said of the iridescent green tile-clad Plungie pool. He also thought that the arched structure over the BBQ area made it feel like an outdoor room and “alleviates the issue of the inside feeling a bit small”, while Shaynna felt the flow from indoors out was seamless. Darren was disappointed there was no heating, but you can’t really blame them for that — they’re from Queensland.

Shaynna could already see kids running around the beautiful cedar tree (we’re not sure how long the garden beds around it will survive, though…) and making the most of the lawn. They love how the curved bench around the firepit provided the perfect spot to take in the house, with Dave noting: “This is a perfect example of when landscape design meets the architecture of the house.”

And then there was the decked pool area, cleverly tucked into the corner of the garden. “There’s no wasted space,” said Marty of the overall layout, with all of its separate zones. “This is so liveable.” As for the Camerich day bed that caused quite the kerfuffle this week: it was a hit, with almost all the judges managing to comfortably squeeze on at once.

“The material palette, the forms, the colour, I said it before in kitchen week that I was besotted, and I think I’m besotted again,” summed up Darren. If only Ash had played their gnome; they could have taken out the win, but alas, he’s keeping that for next week when there is a car up for grabs.

Cash spent: $46,360

Score: 37.5/40

What Dave Franklin had to say…

“This backyard has a real sense of calm. It’s more of an organic landscape and isn’t over the top but has just enough features to make it great — the pool zone, the beautiful tiles on the BBQ benchtop and the pool face. They’ve also lucked out with that sensational existing tree. It’s at least 50 years old and the centrepiece of the garden.”

HOUSE 3: KRISTY AND BRETT

Struggling — whether strategic or not — to work out which of their gardens was the front versus the back was the least of Kristy and Brett’s worries this week. The controversial couple found themselves constantly at odds with their rather fiery landscaper, who, among other things, forgot to order plants.

But they finished. And the first impressions from the judges were great: “yum,” Darren said of their Shou Sugi Ban (burnt ash) cladding on the outdoor ceiling, “and what a contrast to the actual original 50s bricks,” added Shaynna. Cool, but didn’t The Block‘s architect Julian Brenchley pick both of those?

“It’s very rare to nail turning a front garden into an entertaining space,” said Marty of Kristy and Brett’s unique back-to-front block layout. But they all agreed, they’d done it. It felt private (from the street and neighbours), spacious (with by far the biggest pool), and best of all, was flooded with full sun in the middle of winter.

But as for the actual expert in garden design Dave Franklin felt “bored” by this space. “There’s no actual design that I can see in anything here,” he said. He didn’t love the stripes of travertine tiles running through the lawn, or the “plain boring” concrete backdrop to the BBQ area. He was irked by the 45-degree angle on the pool fence corners, thought the plantings were “sad” and didn’t hold back on how much he hated the pebble mulching. We could go on, but why not let him do that instead…

Cash spent: $40,649

Score: 28/40

What Dave Franklin had to say…

“Well…there’s not a lot to say about this one. It’s neat – or at least passable – but it really offers nothing. It was a fail in both design and construction. The layout is all wrong, the fire pit set up doesn’t invite people to sit, the pool fence sits at an angle, there’s a lack of plants. This space says they have run out of money and it looks like the landscaper was brought in late. To be brutal, the best thing that you could do to this landscape is completely change it. It’s a well-sized yard, and with a few great design choices, you could rescue it.”

HOUSE 4: STEPH AND GIAN

WINNERS!

Even though Steph and Gian had $138,000 left to spend on the final two weeks of The Block, it was by no means an easy week for the young couple, with both of them tragically losing their grandfathers within the space of a few days. But determined as ever to do them proud, they pushed on and delivered the winning backyard this week — evening scoring a 10 — meaning they walked away with yet another $20,000 to add to their budget.

Believe it or not, the nearly $72,000 that the cashed-up couple dropped on their 230sqm backyard isn’t even the most spent in The Block history. Back in 2021, Kirsty and Jesse scandalously spent over $86,000 on their rear garden. It worked for them, and it worked for Steph and Gian.

“What an amazing add-on to this house,” said Darren, walking out into their decked alfresco dining area. Marty quickly noticed the automated blinds wrapping the deck, which effectively block out the elements; “you drop those and this is a whole secondary living space,” he said. “If there was ever a debate about it,” said Darren of Steph’s earlier — highly controversial — choice to switch the living room, dining room and kitchen in her floorplan, “the debate is over.”

Shyanna wanted to swear it was so good, but instead settled for words like “lush” and “spacious” and “elegant and classy” and “like a rooftop in Beverly Hills”. The Japandi aesthetic of their interiors certainly carried through into their garden, through both material palette and plant choices. Dave rattled off a few names, and noted that this was definitely a “gardener’s garden” and that a lot of thought had gone into it.

He also liked how the BBQ area didn’t feel forced, and thought the bar stools and bench were a “cool” addition, especially how they overlooked the pool. Marty liked how the deck was elevated and allowed you to take in the whole garden, and how much lawn their was for kids to play. “This is a family home,” he said. “This is ticking all the boxes.” He continued, saying he believes Steph and Gian are well on their way to breaking the house price record in Hampton East. Well, no pressure now.

Then they checked out the fire pit area. And the spacious sauna with double seating. And the pool with a view. And the private dining space around the side of the house with small vegetable garden and “pizza kitchen”. Steph and Gian had said earlier that they thought there was something for everyone in this garden, and it seems the judges agreed wholeheartedly.

Cash spent: $71,704

Score: 38/40

What Dave Franklin had to say…

“This is the biggest backyard on The Block and has to be the best layout so far, still with ample space. And wow — the plant selection was perfect. You can certainly tell they got a horticulturist to help out. The only imperfection was the paving in the pizza oven area which was at an angle and the seat wasn’t square to the house.”

HOUSE 5: ELIZA AND LIBERTY

Not only did they have the smallest team of landscapers this week — with just two people: 21-year-old Ryan and 18-year-old Ruby — but Eliza and Liberty also had the smallest backyard to present, at just 160sqm. (Still sounds big!) Eliza described their garden as a “lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely space” with “no weird statues or structures getting in your way.”

“You had me at festoon lights,” said Darren, looking up as he stepped into their outdoor space. Dave’s gaze, on the other hand, was firmly fixed on the ground. “That is what we call burnished concrete,” he explained, after Shaynna asked if it was finished. “And there’s a lot of it.” They all agreed something like crazy paving would have been a better option.

Shaynna felt the other elements in the space — the James Hardie cladding, the pergola, the pool, and the timber door frames — didn’t quite work with such an industrial flooring. She also felt like a different tile around the pool would have softened it.

And the knocks kept coming. They noticed the bifold doors of the studio space couldn’t open all the way because of the lighting choice, and Dave thought the built-in benchseat around the firepit was a bit high (“Definitely for me!” said Shaynna, her legs swinging off the ground). He also felt like the planting felt “rushed” and could have done with being a bit more spaced.

Marty felt like, considering how open-plan and spacious the inside of Eliza and Liberty’s house is, buyers could feel the garden was cramped, and might even wish they’d forgone the pool for more lawn.

“Everything I’m looking at is hard and angular and structured, and there isn’t really a lot of softness or tactility here,” said Darren. This was also the case, unfortunately, in their BBQ and outdoor dining area, which, “while [the judges] liked the fact there was a heater,” recounted Scotty, “wasn’t enough to warm up the space.” In fact, Marty felt like he was standing in a shed. Ouch.

Cash spent: $55,893

Score: 27/40

What Dave Franklin had to say…

“This backyard fell short for me. The layout is fine but has too much concrete. When you’re doing honed concrete it should be a feature, not the whole backyard. They needed to add some natural stone to break it up and introduce some more plants and greenery. It could have been done with more pots and furniture too. But the build quality is there and it would be an easy fix.”

CATCH UP ON WHAT YOU’VE MISSED FROM THE BLOCK 2023

• Kids’ bathrooms

• Kids’ bedrooms

• Master ensuites

• Kitchen, butler’s pantry and laundry

• Master bedrooms

• Living and dining rooms

• Downstairs bathrooms

• Working-from-home spaces

• Self-contained guest studio

• Studio guest bathrooms

• Disney-themed kids’ bedrooms

The post The Block 2023: backyard and swimming pool reveals appeared first on Homes To Love.

Jonavan Roux, architect and designer at Shipping Container Pools (SCP), has installed over 500 shipping container pools over the past several years — including one in Sticks and Wombat’s backyard on The Block 2017 and another one on The Block this year on Rachel and Ryan’s sprawling country property.

When Jonavan first began a little side project of building a container pool next to his shed, he was also working on conventional in-ground pools with his father.

“Every time anyone came over to look at the in-ground pool designs and finishings, they showed more interest in the container pool. We even tried to cover it up in some cases!” Jonavan laughs.

With sustainable building on the rise and budget-friendly renovations forever on-trend, we’d never cover up a shipping container pool. Here are five reasons why.

1. Quick and easy install

“The pool is delivered in the morning, the customers have a water truck show up and fill it up in an hour or two, and the kids are in there by the afternoon and all having fun. That’s really unheard of in the pool industry,” says Jonavan.

The transport’s a no-brainer, given a shipping container’s initial purpose. They only need to be craned into the backyard, which will only take up to an hour.

2. Your budget won’t sink

Homeowners often forget that the costs of installing an in-ground pool can escalate beyond their expectations. If the site is unsuitable for digging or requires jackhammers, installation costs will grow. Add a few more bills once plumbers and electricians get involved.

Shipping containers need only sit on the ground, and many are designed with in-built plumbing, heating and electrical systems. “It’s usually a massive commitment to get a pool on your property, but we’ve removed those commitments,” says Jonavan.

3. Custom designs and personalisation

No matter how awkward a pool may seem in your backyard, shipping container designs can be personalised, like SCP’s classic six-metre plunge pool and larger 12-metre pool. The side of the container also becomes a creative space where homeowners can paint murals, apply patinas or even use acrylic panels to cut windows into their pools.

“It’s amazing to see people swimming inside,” says Jonavan. “And if the parents are busy in the kitchen, they can look through the pool window and see the kids. It really gives them a sense of safety and awareness.”

4. Low-maintenance and durable

The guarantee of a shipping container is that its welded steel body can really take a beating, from bearing huge loads to being pushed around different ports. When prepared for home installs, shipping containers like SCP’s are lined with fibreglass (which is also often used to protect yachts).

“Customers are getting an actual pool, not just lining a container with corrugations inside the pool because that would be a nightmare to clean,” says Jonavan.

5. A pool that comes to you

A shipping container can come with you when you move house.

Jonavan recalls, “We had people buy a pool who were living in a rental, and actually bought one of our pools with the intention of moving it once their house was built after two years. It can become a mobile, moveable product. The concept of a pool as a structure dug in the ground with pavings or tiles around it has never changed, but these pools have flipped the industry.”

How much do shipping container pools cost?

The cost of a pool from SCP starts at $35,000 for a 3-metre size, and for the 12-metre pool it’s from $45,000. Considering on average, Australian homeowners spend $50,000 installing a swimming pool in their backyard, so all in all that sounds like a done deal. Be mindful though that those quotes only cover the pool itself, as getting it to you and into your space will be different for everyone, and attract different costs.

What are shipping container pool dimensions?

The size of shipping container pools, as you can imagine, is the same as the standard size of a shipping container! You can choose between 6 or 12 metres in length, with a depth of 1.3 metres to swim in.

Unfortunately, their shape can’t be modified, as they’re built around the container shell, but the plus side of this is that a generic shape keeps the costs down.

The post 5 reasons to consider a shipping container pool appeared first on Homes To Love.

Loved for their compact size and ability to adapt to small backyards, for those of us who love the idea of a swimming pool, they’re a fantastic way to have the best of both worlds.

Swimming pools are part and parcel of the Australian dream — who doesn’t love a dip in the water, after all? “At the moment we’re seeing a big comeback in plunge pools, and a growing interest in natural swimming pools as well,” says Dave, “There’s also been a lot of requests for spas, as well as spa and pool combos and cabanas.”

With more and more of us living in homes that are smaller than before, the dream of having a luxurious pool may seem out of reach. In the past, if you lived with a small backyard you would have instantly dismissed the idea, but now, it’s well worth seeing if a plunge pool isn’t a viable option for you to try.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of installing a plunge pool.

Why are plunge pools becoming more popular?

“People love pools,” says Dave, “Australians are very used to being brought up around pools, and even though many obviously have smaller properties than they did then, it’s something that we still want. Luckily, engineering and pool design has come a long way, so if you’ve got a good design, landscape design team, or pool designer, you can actually fit plunge pools into much smaller spaces than we’ve been able to before.”

How small is too small for a plunge pool?

“People with small backyards can definitely fit a plunge pool in — you can do quite a lot of things with pool design now,” says Dave, “Most of the pools that are being designed these days are free-form concrete pools, so you’re able to actually get it right against the house and even on the fence line. This flexibility of free-form concrete allows a variety of different shapes and styles to be achieved, which is great, if you have an awkward backyard zone.”

Who do I speak to about a plunge pool?

“So as long as you’ve got a good pool builder, and a good designer, you’re going to be able to achieve a plunge pool,” says Dave, “A professional pool builder will obviously have the right experience — they’ll know what pros and cons there are, as well as help you figure out what size and sort of pool you can fit in your space. They’ll be able to take your brief and give you what you’re after.”

Is a plunge pool cost effective?

“It’s definitely a cost-effective option, these days you’re getting everything with the pool as well,” explains Dave, “With plunge pools it generally includes all the pool cleaning filters, mosaic tiles, and putting ledges in there so you can actually sit in the pool.”

Dave Franklin has been designing and creating beautiful landscapes for over 25 years, however he is perhaps best known for his appearances on Nine’s reality renovation series The Block.

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When it comes to choosing the right type of swimming pool for you there’s countless factors to consider, including budget, size, shape and style.

From plunge pools to spa pools, saltwater pools and the new natural swimming pool trend, its important to start with a clear idea of which kind of pool is right for your home, and of course, which one will look best.

So, if you’re planning on installing a swimming pool this summer, look no further for inspiration than here with our round-up of the best backyard pools.

26 of the best backyard pools

This 1930s Spanish Mission bungalow received a Greek-style reimagining, which included a re-style of its existing pool area. Flanked by arches on one side and tropical plants on the other, this set up is a summer paradise.

This sunny Hollywood home is all glamour – and its pool house equally so. Quintessentially LA, the swimming pool and backyard set up is designed to make the most of the weather. “We used our hotel-design experience to create a boutique environment and even planted a lime tree next to the bar to pull fruit off for fresh drinks!”

Belonging to Instagram influencer and podcast host, Gemma Pranita (aka @gemmapeanut), this holiday home in Cabarita is a riot of joyful pieces, colour and Palm Springs style – and the pool is no exception.

“There’s a tiny bit of grass and a pool to look after, but that’s about it,” says Beau, the owner of this breezy Yaroomba home who downsized from acreage. At the shallow end, a pygmy date palm adds interest.

In this renovated boundary-pushing home in Bardon, QLD, a ha-ha forms a de-facto fence that doesn’t interfere with sight lines between the living space and beautiful swimming pool.

Overlooking the Byron hinterland region, the chemical-free backyard pool of this low-tox, sustainable home offers plenty of opportunities to linger in the afternoon sun, including two sunloungers from Eco Outdoor.

A stark monochromatic palette and strong linear presence is offset by the warm rattan timber chair and crystal blue pool in this chic Mooloolaba beach house.

The creators of Byron’s Barefoot Bay Villa have visually established backyard zones, the wet area sectioned off by Modular Walls fencing in a sublime timber/glass combo. Surrounding the perfectly-sized rectangular pool are sunloungers and tropical planting.

The pool of this contemporary family home in Torquay is overlooked by a timber-framed arbour. Despite the home’s (literally) traffic-stopping exterior, the Jasba Fresh-tiled pool is not overshadowed.

The pool of this renovated worker’s cottage in Brisbane breaks the mould, its organic shape giving the appearance of a natural watering hole. To complete the scene, the pool is surrounded by devils ivy, ferns and palms.

This pool’s proximity to the garden edge makes for a real tropical vibe in this renovated WWII Queenslander home. The long, slim, brick-lined pool is surrounded by plenty of warm weather plants and foliage.

Palm Springs-inspired plantings around the swimming pool in this contemporary family home in Coorparoo add a relaxed resort-style look.

This swimming pool us subtly divided into two with the spa section including a playful water feature, making the pool the highlight of outdoor entertaining during the summer.

Choosing the right type of pool fencing for your swimming pool will make a world of difference to how your outdoor entertaining areas balance form and function. The simple glass fence in this renovated fibro cottage ensures clean sightlines between the home’s interior and the pool.

Including a generous step ledge in your pool is a clever idea for swimming pools that are sure to get a major workout by the kids like the one in this Melbourne family home.

Make the most of your poolside deck by transforming it into a relaxing entertaining zone like in this beach house in Noosa.

Given the size of this nature-inspired home in Riverview, it was imperative for the homeowners that the compact pool could be easily seen from within the house at multiple points.

Eco-friendly principals were a priority in the renovation of this weatherboard home in Freshwater with an Esse stove that provides heating throughout the home as well as the swimming pool outside, drastically reducing electricity bills.

The swimming pool in this Palm Springs-style home in Casuarina was formed from concrete, perfect complementing the pared-back material palette in the rest of the house.

A cabana provides shade and built-in seating by the pool in this eco-friendly home in Perth. When choosing plants and greenery around the pool be wary of choosing deciduous ones that will shed leaves into the water.

Different coloured tiles or materials used for the base of the swimming pool will affect the colour of your pool water in different ways. We love how the white base of the swimming pool in this Edwardian home reflects pale blue water.

Adding different levels inside your pool like the one in this post-war brick bungalow ensures that the swimming pool is the perfect place for fun for the whole family.

Installing a swimming pool was the perfect finishing touch in this renovated Barwon Heads Californian bungalow, transforming the backyard into the ultimate entertaining zone.

Extending your pool deck creates the perfect lounging zone for soaking up some sun after a swim like the one in this Queensland pool house.

The stark all-white palette surrounding the swimming pool in this Mediterranean-style home adds a holiday-style aesthetic to the backyard.

Mosaic tiles are a popular option for the bottom of a pool and will reflect colour into the water in beautiful ways like in the pool of this minimalist-style home.

The post 26 backyard swimming pools you’ll want to plunge right into appeared first on Homes To Love.

In The Series

Homes To Love has teamed up with Bunnings to inspire your next renovation, starting with the ultimate kids backyard. Keep an eye out for more exciting tips and tricks in our series:

* The secret to multi-purpose living spaces that work

This beachside Sydney home combines kid-friendly features with adult sophistication. The landscaped backyard features an array of zones that work together to create functional spaces the whole family can enjoy – from a classic tyre swing to the relaxing fire pit.

This cottage renovation in Perth is a lesson in indoor-outdoor connections, as the modern kitchen seamlessly opens to a gorgeous pergola. A bench seat and classic white stools by the servery window provide a comfortable spot for the kids to sit and enjoy afternoon tea or take a drink break from outdoor play.

When it comes to the ultimate kids backyard, you can’t look past climbing equipment. In this suburban garden, a cubby, swings and climbing wall are visually tied together with a consistent lick of white paint and playful pops of yellow and blue.

This entertaining space was created for Bunnings’ Make It Happen series, where the team from Bunnings help D.I.Y. novices transform a space in their homes. To discover more great advice, watch the full series here.

The laidback outdoor zone of this coastal weatherboard home in Byron Bay is ideal for family life. With lush gardens, a hanging chair and a pool, this backyard strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and fun, designed to be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.

A vegetable garden is a fun and practical addition to any backyard. In this expansive garden, a veggie patch made from wooden sleepers is positioned in a sun-drenched spot. Along with an abundance of seasonal produce, a veggie patch provides the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to grow and prepare food.

Brought to you by Bunnings.

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