AKP Images is an independent, picture-led journal about outdoor living in Sydney and across Australia. We cover pergolas, carports, decks, shade structures, outdoor kitchens and the patios and alfresco areas that connect Australian homes to their gardens.
We are not a builder, installer or supplier. We do not quote, sell or install anything. We have no affiliation with any carport, pergola or outdoor-structures company. Our content is editorial: chosen and written because it informs and interests readers who love outdoor spaces, not because anyone paid us to write it.
Our images are chosen to show structures in real gardens and real landscapes — not catalogue shots or renders. We credit photographers and sources on the image credits page.
We publish practical information about approval processes, material choices, maintenance and the outdoor-living geography of Australia's regions. When we quote figures or regulations we name the source and encourage readers to verify the latest rules with their local council or a registered builder.
To send a correction or a tip, use the contact form or write to info@akp-images.com.
How we look at outdoor spaces
Most of what we publish starts with a simple question a homeowner might ask while standing in their own backyard: what would actually work here? An open pergola that suits a sheltered courtyard in the inner west can be a poor choice on an exposed coastal block, where wind, salt air and driving rain change the rules. A carport that looks tidy on a flat suburban lot may need a very different design on a sloping site with tricky drainage. We try to show those differences in pictures first and then explain the reasoning behind them in plain language.
Australia's climate zones shape nearly every outdoor decision. In humid northern regions, airflow and protection from heavy downpours matter most. In the south, people often want shade in summer and winter sun, which is why adjustable louvres and deciduous planting come up often in our coverage. In bushfire-prone areas, material choices and construction details can be governed by specific standards, so we flag these topics and point readers towards their council and qualified professionals rather than offering shortcuts.
What we try to do well
- Explain the trade-offs. Timber, steel and aluminium each have strengths, maintenance needs and costs over time, and we describe them without favouring any supplier.
- Keep approvals in context. Whether a structure is exempt development or needs approval depends on size, location and local rules, so we explain the general process and encourage readers to check with their council.
- Show real use. We care about how a deck or verandah feels on a hot afternoon or a wet weekend, not only how it looks on the day it is finished.
If you are new to the site, the gallery is a good place to get a feel for different structures, and our guides go deeper into planning, materials and upkeep. Questions we hear often are collected in the FAQ. We update articles when we learn something new or a reader points out an error, because good outdoor spaces are built on accurate information.