Here’s news that we’re sure you won’t find surprising if you live in Melbourne – the average size of our backyards is getting smaller. Now, here’s some news that might surprise – you can still have an excellent outdoor living area even if the space you have is small.
Melbourne backyards getting smaller
According to the ABS, across many Australian capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) we are building houses on smaller blocks. From 2005 to 2020, the average site area for new house approvals decreased by 22 per cent or 135 square metres. Back in 2005, block sizes were around 602 square metres on average, while in 2020 they were 467.
During the same period, the average floor area of new house approvals increased. While it was only slightly – up by six per cent or 14 square metres – when combined with shrinking block sizes there is no doubt that capital city backyards are getting smaller.
In Melbourne specifically, the average block size in 2020 was 463 square metres, down from 597 in 2005.
The quarter acre block – a bit over 1000 square metres – is a now a rare commodity.
Melbourne outdoor living in small spaces
The good news is that you can still have a great outdoor living area in Melbourne, even if you only have a small space to work with. You must be smart, though, and maximise the space you do have.
Here are some tips, from our Melbourne North Eastern branch:
- Choose the best location for your outdoor living area. Generally, most people want their outdoor living area to be as close as possible to their indoor living area and kitchen. This provides the indoor/outdoor blend that is so popular today.
- Don’t necessarily limit yourself to one space. For example, you might have a space off the living area for entertaining and another space off one of the bedrooms for relaxing. Essentially, you’re creating outdoor rooms for defined purposes, which makes sense when space is at a premium.
- When space is lacking in your Melbourne backyard, you might need to compromise and choose between outdoor dining furniture and outdoor lounges. When choosing, the important thing is to consider which you’ll use the most. If you like entertaining and eating outdoors, a dining setting will be a must, while if you use your outdoors more to relax, an outdoor lounge would be preferable.
- Floor space might be lacking so using vertical space is smart. For example, instead of putting in a water feature on the ground, put in a wall fountain. Use walls and fences to create a vertical garden. Or add bench seating around the perimeter of your Melbourne outdoor living area to leave more space in the middle.
- If privacy is also an issue, which it can be when block sizes are small, use screens, plant hedges or install outdoor blinds.
Big or small, Outside Concepts has you covered
Whether you have lots of space or very little, Outside Concepts North Eastern branch can help you build your ideal outdoor living area. Contact branch manager Ron Matz by phoning Outside Concepts on 1800 601 674 or submitting a form on his page.
From concept to clean up, you can rely on us. Give Outside Concepts a call on 1800 601 674 to organise a free quote.
