We wanted to transform the area around our raised garden beds and arbors into a entertaining area. Our goal was to create a functional, convenient, and easy-to-maintain space that could serve as an entertainment area. Here's how we turned our vision into reality.
Overcoming Challenges
The first step was to prepare a flat area for the courtyard. We encountered a massive boulder that needed to be removed. We had tried removing it with an excavator, but the rock was too large, so we rented a jackhammer and got to work on breaking it into pieces to remove. After spending hours under the hot sun chiseling away at the rock, we were frustrated by the slow progress we had made. However, perseverance paid off, and we finally cleared the boulder out of the way.
Preparing the Garden Areas
With the rock removed, we moved on to finishing the courtyard area. We started by preparing the garden areas surrounding the courtyard. Using old dead wood logs collected from around the property, we lined the garden areas. This created a natural barrier between the gravel and soil, adding compost back into the garden over time and enhancing the aesthetics.
To fill the garden areas, we had a load of dirt delivered. Using an ATV and trailer, we made several trips to transport the dirt. Once the garden areas were filled, we planted a variety of plants to bring life and colour to the space. We're lucky to have family and friends living nearby who allowed us to take pieces of plants from their gardens to keep the costs of this project low.
Gravelling the Courtyard
The next major task was gravelling the courtyard area. Tyler did some calculations and estimated that it would take approximately 45 ATV loads of rock to fully cover the area. This was a significant undertaking, but we were determined to see it through. The gravel not only provided a practical surface but also added to the overall appeal of the courtyard.
Adding Lighting and Personal Touches
To ensure the courtyard could be used after dark, we turned 4x4 pieces of wood into Easy DIY Light Posts for each corner, check out this post on how we created them 😉 This would provide ample lighting for nighttime use. Tyler had a brilliant idea to place Edison light bulbs in the gardens, keeping them out of sight while still illuminating the space.
To fill the empty corners, we added planters, which enhanced the visual appeal of the courtyard. In the center, we placed a deck box for easy access to entertainment essentials like our volleyball net, movie projector, chairs, blankets, and citronella candles to keep bugs away.
Celebrating Our Hard Work
After adding some personal touches and finishing up a few loose ends, we were thrilled with the result. The courtyard exceeded all our expectations. To celebrate our hard work, we enjoyed a movie night with the boys, complete with freshly popped popcorn.
To conclude, this courtyard project took a lot of effort, but the rewards have been immense. We now have a beautiful, functional space for entertainment and relaxation. If you're considering a similar project, we hope our journey inspires you to create your own courtyard retreat. Check out our video to follow along with our project and see the transformation in action!