Australians love the outdoors and they enjoy every moment of it. 

While not everyone is fortunate in having an expansive backyard or wide outdoor spaces, there are ways to make the most out of your available space, even when it is just a few square feet such as the balcony of a high-rise apartment.

Nonetheless, there’s no limit to your creativity and innovative ideas to make you enjoy time enjoying the setting or rising of the sun, a quiet “alone time,” enjoying a two-some candle-lit dinner, or simply stargazing on a clear and pristine night sky.

Here are a few examples of how you can elevate your outdoor spaces to make them more relaxing and enjoyable.

Plan and create your lounge area

It would be nice to have a lounge area for your home whether it be an apartment balcony, deck, lanai or gazebo- anything that could resemble a place worthy of spending time on a relaxing or comfortable area where you can entertain a friend or two for dinner, light snacks, or a glass of wine. 

You can decorate your outdoor space by placing a couple of cozy chairs and a coffee table, surrounded by some hanging or potted plants to add a bit of green to your outdoor surrounding.

For those with a bit more space to spare, setting up a hammock, a magazine stand, or chaise lounges can help you create a feel of the tropics.

If you are a passionate DIY enthusiast, you can roll up your sleeves and make your cushions, lounge chairs, tables- anything that suits your fancy and is deserving of your time and creativity.

Outdoor bar

Repurpose an old drawer or cupboard and use it as an outdoor bar where you could spend some leisure time with family or a small group of friends. 

If you don’t have the skill of a carpenter, you can go online and shop around for ready-made bar furniture. Set up a Bluetooth speaker to add an entertaining and cozy vibe to your outdoor bar. 

Decorate a shed

If you have a shed that sticks out like a sore thumb in your outdoor area or yard, why not spruce it up and make it the centrepiece of your backyard. You can activate your creative juices and use the walls of the shed as a canvas to paint your preferred art or mural designs.

If you want to leave it as is, you can try to decorate the area around it, such as making a stone path or plant some ornamental plants or shrubs around it. 

Or you can simply repaint or add a splash of colour to refresh it and make it look new.

Outdoor cinema

Missing out on your regular cinema habit? You don’t have to sine you can build your own cozy DIY outdoor movie theatre in your backyard. Set up a white screen and digital projector, then place a few bean bags, lounge chairs, or simply just a cloth spread on the grass as you enjoy a good movie with a bowl of popcorn, pizza, and cans of soda or beer.

Alfresco dining area

If you want to enjoy the fresh air or an occasional date for two right at the comforts of home, you can find a spot outdoors by setting up a table and chairs to make it a functional and temporary dining spot.

You can set up a Bluetooth speaker or place candles around the area for a romantic dinner. You can also use it as an alternative dining destination for family and friends if you want to have a change of scenery from the usual indoor dining routines.

DIY fire pit

Let’s face it, Australians love their barbie and what better way to impress your family and guests with your DIY fire pit. 

Spend countless hours grilling and eating around your DIY fire pit, which can also work as a makeshift bonfire venue where you can share and trade stories during a starry evening.

With people spending more time at home, it would be nice to have your imaginations run wild and find ways to amuse and entertain yourself, family and friends.