The inner courtyard is the breathing space of your built-up property and whether it be a small or large yard, it can add character to your home in varied ways. Transforming a boring empty space that seems to have no clear-cut purpose can be a challenge, but certainly, the assistance of an experienced home designer can make an exceptional difference.



Starting from the yard’s walls, these are likely to be fully or partially visible from your interiors, and should be a reflection of your home style and an extension of what you have inside. They will be exposed to the elements so may require special treatments to avoid getting damp internal walls, proliferation of humidity or mould manifesting. An expert will give you the best solutions to cover the wall. Where the stone needs to remain exposed to avoid rising damp, you may be asked to consider a natural stone treatment. If the wall can hold a trellis or a wooden/iron fixture, this might prove to be a decorative element to your favour.

By covering part or all of the yard and forming a sort of greenhouse effect, you could create an outdoor/indoor scenario, possibly also creating a partially covered pathway that allows a neat filtering of direct sunlight. Shading can be obtained by varied methods - shade sails, wooden rafters, canvas umbrella, or overhead trellis for instance.

The smallest internal shaft can become a space that provides relaxation - consider adding a small water feature such as a water spout or water trough and lots of shade loving plants.



Most people start to 'decorate' an internal yard by adding varied pots of plants. Green plants will certainly add a touch of life but little else, possibly even taking up space that can be used better. Instead of jumping in thoughtlessly and cluttering the yard haphazardly, consider grouping all the plants in a wall-to-wall trough, custom-made to fit your space.

Seating can vary depending on space, from a deck-chair to a table and chairs, from a hammock to wall bench. Embrace your seating with the rest of the decor so that it continues in the embellishing of the space.

Add suitable lighting that is softly attractive in the evenings. Lanterns of varying sizes can add a touch of exotic and romance. 

About Tanti Interiors
At Tanti Interiors, we offer professional interior design in Malta and overseas and pride ourselves in having worked on some of the most exclusive homes and commercial properties. Backed up by almost twenty years of experience we have built up a name on trust and knowledge on how to get it right.