Spring garden jobs: Part 3 - Creating your own courtyard

Australia is blessed with some of the best weather in the world, so it makes sense to make the most of it where possible.

Eating outdoors is popular in the warmer months, however, if your outdoor area is looking a bit drab, you may want to embark on a DIY project to have it looking inviting in time for spring's balmy nights.

Creating your own courtyard is a great way to give your backyard a new look, and also provide an inviting new eating space.

Anyone can tackle a DIY paving job - all you need is some elbow grease, a design to work with and the right equipment.

Your local Kennards Hire store has a range of equipment to assist with your paving task, including plate compactors, mini loaders, tracked dumper, brick saws, block spliters and excavators. 

There are so many different types of pavers available on the market, so it is a good idea to have a think about what is most suitable to your requirements and personal tastes.

Granite, quartz stone, sandstone and bluestone pavers are all popular choices, and if you want something different why not choose tiles in a bright colour.

If you have limited room to work with, you may want to try using some decorative elements to create the illusion of space.

Don't use too many colours as this can create a cluttered look, instead use pebbles or stones in natural shades to border the edges of your courtyard and any planting beds.

Placing a sculpture or statue somewhere in the area can serve as a focal point to enhance the feeling of space.