Transforming your courtyard into a dream space

WE’RE not all blessed with a sweeping dream backyard.

Some of us make do with a courtyard – but it’s not all doom and gloom.

The team from ModularWalls has some great tips for transforming the humble courtyard into a lush and cosy space worthy of pride.

Climbing plants/trellises

If your courtyard has brick walls, try plants or vines that climb and cling to walls easily, such as creeping fig, star jasmine, clematis or even a passionfruit vine. For plants that grow on trellises, try bougainvillea, trumpet vine or wisteria.

Trellises come in many materials and styles, from wire and wood to lattice or decorative wrought iron.

Vertical garden

This is basically a miniature garden made of small wall-mounted containers or pots. It saves ground space and creates an attractive feature wall. Attach some sturdy brackets to one of your walls and fill them with gorgeous greenery.

Paint the walls

Painted feature walls aren’t just for inside. If you’ve got the right type of wall, try introducing a splash of paint. This might mean painting all the walls, or just one to create a feature or focus point. For a feature wall, use a bright colour to make the space more vibrant and lively. You can then model the rest of your colour scheme around the feature wall, choosing plant pots and furniture to match.

Light it up

Lighting can have a huge effect on mood and ambience. The sort you choose depends on the overall purpose. If you’re creating an intimate space, lanterns or candles might just be enough. In a larger entertaining space, you’ll want a variety of light sources. Try strings of warm gold fairy lights to create a festive atmosphere, accent lighting, such as an illuminated water feature, or even ‘hidden’ lighting, such as lights underneath flooring.

Check out ModularWalls’ blog for more great outdoor design and DIY tips here.