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1. Use recycled paving – buying products such as pavers or bricks from eBay and Gumtree is a great way to save money on materials. Often contractors have leftovers from jobs, so you can source new pavers online. Otherwise you can find pavers in good condition from people simply changing their existing pavers. Just 10sqm is enough for an outdoor setting. Ideally a shade sail over the paved area will make the space more visually appeal, but also more functional. 

2. A shade sail is a simple DIY job and simply involves installing three timber posts. A shade sail kit can be purchased from most hardware stores and installed for around $500. 

3. Turf – Turf is relatively inexpensive. Couch grass roll can be purchased for about $6 per m2 from most landscaping yards. A small lawn area is almost a necessity for kids and it is certainly a garden element that families will be looking for when assessing a property to purchase. Even a small area of say 15sqm will be large enough to roll around on, set up some outdoor games, or have a splash under a sprinkler. 

4. Screening plants are a great way of softening an outdoor space and making the garden look bigger. Choose hardy plants that don't require much pruning. Where you live in Australia will determine the species, but the following will grow in most Australian conditions and require minimal care, grow to roughly fence height and look great year round:

• Murraya paninculata (Orange jessamine)
• Photinia robusta (Photinia)
• Acmena smithii (Lilly Pilly)
• Viburnum odoratissimum (Sweet viburnum)

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