by Stephanie Williams
Courtyards and balconies, even windowsills, can set the scene for the rest of your property as well as provide a satisfying food source. Even one square metre is enough to plant a garden that will provide organic fruit, vegetables and herbs year round.
But starting can be daunting. Oliver Sizeland, director of Growing Rooms, a Sydney based landscape architecture firm, says the first step is evaluating your space. “Go through the garden and identify the elements you like and dislike, including the existing plants. Ask yourself, is it too dark, too damp, are the pavers undesirable? Are there neighbouring windows or unsightly views to screen out?”.
Depending on your budget and the size of the area, Oliver recommends enlisting the help of a landscape designer.
“People are often amazed at what can be achieved in small spaces. When designed properly they can become another room in the summer months and more usable space in apartment living is always a good thing,” he shared. Finding the right landscaper for your project is an important part of the process.
Like most things, a good starting point is the internet – check out a few portfolios online and make sure they offer the services you need like design, installation, construction and maintenance. And of course, know your budget and communicate this clearly from the start.
Getting your property spruced up for a sales campaign can make a difference to your eventual sales price. Oliver recommends cleaning the area thoroughly, “A pressure clean and a repaint to any masonry and straight away this will bring new life to the area.”
If your budget allows it, retile the floor surface and install lightly coloured, large format tiles. “It will open up the space and make it feel larger than it is,” he says. And finally incorporate some pots or troughs. “Pots work best on their own with a prominent feature plant or in groups of three to brighten up a dull corner,” Oliver says. Pot plants are also a good option to screen out neighbouring windows or unsightly views from potential buyers.
This article is taken from September issues of The Listing, Ray White’s monthly magazine.
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