1. Are you a Green Thumb? If not you will probably want to consider a low maintenance garden with hardy, drought resistant plants ?
2. Sun & Shade Areas? Before you think about the following points you will need to identify the areas of your property that are shaded and those that get lots of sun. You will need to monitor this over the course of the day so that you can see the different effects at the different times of the day eg. morning / afternoon sun. This will give you an idea as to where you plant certain species of plants and also if you require pergolas, shade sails or other forms of protection.
3. Are you an Entertainer? You’ll need to think about whether you want to accommodate outdoor seating or a dining table into the design. Are you going to BBQ or need a full built in kitchen? What about a fire pit or even a dance floor? Entertaining options are endless and most of them require quite a bit of space so think about this one carefully.
4. Do you need a Kids Zone? Whether you have kids or are planning them, creating a space that they can escape and explore is vital to their growth & your sanity! When they’re little you might be thinking sandpit & climbing frame but this quickly turns into a swing set, cubby house, trampoline and even a cricket pitch. So the tip here is to think a little further into the future for play equipment.
5. Which Clothesline is right for you? You might remember swinging on the old Hills Hoist in the yard of your parents or grandparents but these days you more than likely need to use it for its actual purpose. There are fixed rotary, folding rotary, wall mounted fold down & retractable lines to choose from so knowing your space and how much washing you need to cater for will give you an idea of which way you’ll need to go.
6. Who takes out the trash? Garbage Bin Storage is something to think about. Having a dedicated place, that is out of sight means no dirty bins hanging on the curb or around the front of the house. Also consider the weather & its impact on the area from the bin storage to the front curb. If you don’t have a path of some sort you could end up with muddy feet & drag marks all the way out to the front of the property in times of wet weather.
7. Are you looking to be sustainable? A vegie patch is certainly a great way to enjoy self-sustainability but how much you know about this topic, how much you want to produce as well as the actual space you need to have are all things to think about. Total Garden Solutions have some great modular garden beds which means you can start small and gradually add more modules as you perfect your growing style.
8. Size matters with sheds! Whether you’re looking for simple garden storage or are looking for somewhere to escape and tinker with your toys you need to think about what you need to store. Are you going to have a lawn mower or a ride on mower, will you be storing other tools for the garden or are you going to outsource your garden maintenance? Will you have personal items that will be stored here or is there a hobby you will be accommodating? Think about floor space as well as shelves and roof spacing as great storage systems can help you have a lot in a small space in an organized way.
9. How many people drive at your place? Extra car parking spaces maybe required if you have kids. They may be teenagers now but pretty soon they’ll be driving and that might mean parking on your front lawn! If you consider extra parking now you could save yourself looking like a parking lot down the track.
10. Finally are you pet people? Do your furry friends feel like family? Giving dogs enough space to run free and providing safe areas, like cat runs, that protect both your animal and our wildlife is really important. Don’t forget to check with the council in your area to ensure you adhere to their guidelines in regards to housing other animals such as chickens & goats.
