Summer renovations: creating an outdoor area

Summer brings with it a fresh burst of enthusiasm and renewed energy to tackle jobs around the home and embark on some home renovations.

Whether you have some garden landscaping you want to get done, painting around the place or a deck to build, summer is the ideal time of year to challenge yourself with some DIY work.

Why not take advantage of the extra sunlight this summer and create your own outdoor area?

A paved courtyard is perfect for almost any backyard, and with hundreds of different tiles on the market you are sure to find something that matches the style of your home.

If you don't have much room to work with, use large light coloured pavers to create the illusion of more space. Timber decking is a modern take on the patio, giving your outdoor area an earthy look with the wood complementing the surrounding garden.

Lighting is an important part of any outdoor area, with a lot of entertaining running into the night hours. Lighting plays a functional role as well as an aesthetic one, so it is worthwhile considering this when planning your outdoor project.