Project Overview
This Box Hill property had recently undergone a major home renovation, but the backyard had been left for last. The homeowners — a young family who love to entertain — wanted a modern, low-maintenance outdoor entertaining area that would serve as an extension of their beautifully renovated home. The brief called for a clean, contemporary aesthetic with practical features for hosting friends and family.
The site presented several challenges: a level change of nearly 400mm across the backyard, limited access for machinery, and the need to integrate an outdoor kitchen prep area that would be functional and durable. The solution was a split-level porcelain patio that makes a feature of the level change rather than trying to hide it.
Before & After
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Project Specifications
The Challenge: Level Changes and Precise Base Preparation
The backyard sloped approximately 400mm from the house to the rear fence, meaning a single-level patio would have required extensive fill or an unsightly retaining wall. The homeowners didn't want a retaining wall that would block garden views, so we proposed a split-level design that embraces the natural slope.
The upper level (adjacent to the house) serves as the main dining and entertaining area, while the lower level houses the outdoor kitchen prep area and a secondary seating zone. The 400mm transition between the two levels is handled by a series of three bluestone steps that span the full width of the patio — creating a design feature rather than an obstacle.
Access for machinery was limited due to a narrow side passage, so much of the excavation material had to be removed by hand using wheelbarrows. This added two days to the timeline but was the only practical approach given the site constraints.
Our Solution: Split-Level Design with Precision Grading
We excavated the upper patio area to 200mm depth for the base structure, and the lower level to 150mm (using the additional fall of the natural slope to achieve the level change). The base was installed in two compacted layers: 150mm of Class 2 crushed rock beneath a 50mm sand bedding layer.
The key to a successful porcelain installation on a sand bed is absolute precision in the base preparation. Porcelain tiles have no flex and any unevenness in the base will be immediately visible. We used laser levels to achieve a tolerance of less than 3mm across the entire 40m² area — significantly tighter than the industry standard of 5mm.
For the porcelain, we selected 600×600mm large-format tiles in a warm grey colour with a natural stone texture finish. The large format creates a clean, contemporary look with fewer joint lines, making the space feel larger. The porcelain is fully vitrified (low porosity), meaning it won't stain from food or drink spills — ideal for an entertaining area.
Outdoor Kitchen Prep Area
The lower level of the patio features a dedicated outdoor kitchen prep area with a waterproof base that can accommodate a sink, BBQ and food preparation surface. The kitchen base was constructed from waterproof materials with integrated drainage, and the porcelain tiles continue across the kitchen floor area for a seamless look. Electrical and plumbing rough-ins were coordinated with the homeowners' tradies before the base was laid.
Integrated LED Lighting
LED strip lighting was installed along three zones: the step treads (under the nosing of each bluestone step), the perimeter of the upper patio, and around the outdoor kitchen benchtop. All lighting is IP65-rated for outdoor use and connected to a dimmer switch, allowing the homeowners to adjust the ambience for different occasions — bright for cooking and dining, soft for evening relaxation.