We got rid of our dinky little patio and hideous fence – our upgrades were the magic recipe for a backyard level-up
A HOMEOWNER has revealed how she transformed her backyard into her dream outdoor space.
The area looked almost unrecognizable after she took inspiration from European decor styles.
Social media sites such as Pinterest are the perfect place to find inspiration for overhauling a drab backyard ahead of summer.
However, it isn’t always easy to visualize which design will look in your space.
Julia Arceri (@arceriinteriors) has garnered over 157,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares home upgrades.
She went viral on the app after focusing her attention on revamping her garden.
She showed footage of the tired-looking area with a “dinky slab” and a “hideous” fence.
Having seen a photo online for inspiration, she teamed up with her DIY-savvy husband to renovate the space.
They installed gutters on their house to avoid flooding and then went ahead with their “magic recipe” of repainting the fence and artistically placing several trees.
Their project was delayed when the first paint color they chose failed to meet their expectations and the process had to be repeated.
The couple then got help from a friend to swap the dated slab for an eye-catching checkerboard tile patio.
They bought about 40 bags of pea gravel from Home Depot, 36 large pavers for $9.78 each, and 36 small pavers for $1.78 from Lowes to border it.
Julia said they plan to add her “dream furniture” and plants to complete the transformation.
Over 788,000 people liked the video and many took to the comment section to share their opinions.
“Love how the patio colors match really well with your house,” one person wrote.
“Well, now I want a checkerboard pea gravel patio! Yours looks stunning,” another commented.
“It’s giving Alice in Wonderland vibes, I’m here for it,” a third chimed in.
“This turned out beautifully, definitely adding to my inspiration board for our yard,” another said.
How to make your backyard a little paradise
Houna Bech is an interior designer and founder of the style blog With Houna.
She revealed to The U.S. Sun five tips for transforming a drab outdoor space into a “sensory-rich little paradise.”
- Embrace nature
“Use your landscaping, trees, flowers, and organic environment as your muse,” she said.
2. Bring the inside out
“Repeat color palettes, textures, and materials so the transition between indoors and out is seamless,” she said.
3. Create zones for specific purposes
“I might design a luxurious cabana with plush loungers and vanities for alfresco makeup sessions with my girlfriends,” she said.
4. Prioritize comfort
“I’m talking cloud-like sectionals, upholstered daybeds, and oversized weather-resistant poufs you can really envelop yourself in,” she said.
5. Get creative
“Finally, turn your entire outdoor area into an artistic installation,” Bech said.
The chosen area for a checkerboard patio needs to have all the grass, weeds, and stones removed before installation, according to the experts at Nustone.
A spirit level should be used to check the area is as flat and even as possible before measuring the space and getting to work on laying the tiles.
At least 5cm of sand should cover the squares on which the tiles will be placed.
Tiles can break easily if placed directly on dirt and stepped on so wet mortar should be used to keep them firmly in position.
