Turning an Unused Garden into a Modern Escape

Project Overview

This project involved transforming a tired family backyard into a stylish and functional outdoor space. The area once had a trampoline and weathered veggie gardens , but over time, it had become overgrown and unused.

Emily met Kate through her NZ Business woman group and approached her to discuss her landscaping.  They asked Kate from Zones Auckland central  to design and build a new space that would be perfect for relaxing, entertaining guests, and something fresh and modern to be enjoyed every day. They also wanted to ensure the backyard remained practical, with areas for gardening and everyday living.

The agreed budget was $100,000, but with a few extra jobs added during the build, the final cost came to $105,000.

Design & Planning

Kate and her Zones team began with a 3D Landscape Concept design to show the clients how the new backyard would look like:

• A generous composite deck that flows seamlessly from the existing upper house deck, opening up the balustrade and introducing dual-sided steps to connect the levels.
• A custom cantilevered pergola that created rain protection while keeping the space open without posts in the way.
• A bespoke outdoor kitchen with a bar leaner and under bench LED lighting working with the section angles to maximise space.
• A paved lounging area for comfortable seating.
• Mediterranean-style planting and a new Vegetable garden, while keeping
• A nicely tucked away clothesline for everyday use.

The clients were going overseas and wanted most of the work done before they came back. By early January, the deck, paving, and planting were ready for them to use. The pergola and kitchen were finished a little later in March.

Project Execution

Kate’s team looked after the whole job, from planning to building.

• Decking: A composite deck was installed, with dual-sided steps and hidden deck fastenings for a clean finish.
• Pergola: A custom-designed pergola was installed with just two posts. Timber slatting cleverly concealed them, keeping the structure sleek and modern.
• Outdoor Kitchen: A bespoke angled kitchen with a sealed benchtop, cupboards, and bar leaner was built. LED strip lighting was added for evening use and a striking look.
• Lounging Area: A paved lower-level seating area was created, flowing naturally from the deck.
• Path & Planting: A schist stepping path with mondo grass gave the garden a natural look. Mediterranean planting with Olives, lavender and thyme added texture, colour, and privacy.
• Lighting: Step lights, garden uplights, and LED strips in the pergola and kitchen made the space safe and beautiful at night.