Urban Court (yard) Rules

THIS ONE is for inner-city home dwellers and those teetering on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas.

 

Different locations, similar scale.

 

Rows of terraces, new and old, charming semis and sleek townhouses; building efficiency that prioritises “house” over garden and creates a unique opportunity to create a small-scale oasis that narrows in on form and function.

 

The quintessential “Aussie” backyard, like everything, has evolved over the years. Places like Melbourne’s Fitzroy and Sydney’s Paddington are known for their Victorian terraces; ornate yet symmetrical, though long, they’re but a few metres across. These homes are (nonetheless) highly sought after for their cinematic romance and UNMATCHED natural insulation. Those thick walls will not let you down (unless they are in fact falling down, but that’s another story!). The terrace was a home for workers and their families. Gardens were not the focus. The most one could hope for was a small space at the back to grow a few veggies and hang out your washing. Times have changed, now we’re ordering meal kits or Ubering tacos to our front door, and that space is primed for a chic landscaping job, one that focuses on extending the living area to the outdoors and creating a space for leisure and, hopefully, a little casual entertaining.

 

Borrowing from this same blueprint are our newest suburbs, popping up on the edges of big cities, and redeveloped areas closer to the urban action. Outdoor space in both is often limited, so if a large patch of lawn isn’t an option or even desired, a courtyard is where it’s at.

 

Thinking of your courtyard as a room will help you define its purpose. You want to make it as usable as possible. Will you be eating, drinking, reading, hanging out and relaxing out there? What sort of shade, seating or ground surface will suit you?

 

And when it comes to planting and greenery, all we can say is, the more the merrier. Keen to get started? Here’s a little taster to get you inspired and in the mood.

 

We’ve curated 5 luxe outdoor occasional chairs to help you set the scene, pairing them with 5 perfect pots and planters.