Decorating your courtyard on a budget

Kem Ormond

Courtyard, patio, exclusive corner space... whatever you like to call it, you can often add your sense of flair from bits and pieces you already have around your home.

I have a walled courtyard attached to my home, I like to think it has a French flavour, it is nothing out of the ordinary and most of its content has been recycled.

I quite like to upcycle, or as I like to call it, add some rustic charm.

The table for my alfresco dining is about 35 years old, something my brother made me, it really needs replacing but I haven’t the heart.

He lives overseas, and this is like having a little piece of him at home. I did give it a bit of a jazz up last summer after I found some paint test pots and put my artistic talent to use, decorating the top of it.

A collection of candle holders made from old fence posts… complete with barb wire adds interest come the evening.

When my umbrella fades from the sun, I get the old test pots out again and do some more decorating or I make some bunting to dress the edges.

I sometimes replace the fabric on my chairs, and I always say to the man who does the repairs, the seat doesn’t need to be the same colour as the back... as you may have noticed, difference is something I relish.

On the odd occasion I rummage in my dads’ shed, and I have had a few finds. An old copper and an old basket are at present adorned with flowering daffodils and come summer you will find lettuces growing out of them. I found an old copper tea urn and that now sports a lovely ladder fern.

An old metal chair and a metal table stand that just needed the top replaced, make a nice talking piece. Terracotta pots in the summer overflow with white pansies and I have a little water feature that just sits among some herbs and is the home to a lime green frog who likes to visit.

A large red heart made from wood sits atop a steel rod and sways in the wind and there is a lovely couch made from recycled totara. It is rather industrial looking, so I add to the comfort by introducing a rug or two plus a scattering of cushions come summer.

I have seen some beautiful courtyards over the years, but the most important things in your courtyard should be friends and family, laughter, good food... and oh a nice wine wouldn’t go amiss!