Outdoor Design

If you want to entertain outside — and who doesn’t — you’ll most likely want an outdoor structure to do it in, be it a pergola, gazebo, hut, poolside cabana or some other shade-giving creation. If you want a private place to work or indulge in a hobb

For most of us, our gardens are places of retreat — somewhere we can go when we want to relax. But outdoors is also where we head when we want to entertain, which is why we need our outdoor living spaces to be inviting, practical, versatile and trans

If you enjoy entertaining but you have family and friends who like some fun and games along with their barbecued lunch, there are myriad ways you can keep the more sporty among you happily occupied. The options are surprisingly broad, from a tennis c

When it comes to entertaining and making the most of your garden, summer is the best time of the year. It’s when you are finally able to use all of your available space to maximum effect. It’s really quite amazing what a transformation the summer mon

Is there an ideal time to think about planning/preparing for your garden escape? Yes! As winter has come with a vengeance now is an ideal time to help you plan, giving us time to conceptualise create a design ensuring your perfect outdoor room will b

Winner of the City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show, as well as a Gold Show Garden award and the keenly contested Horticultural Media Association (HMA) Award for Best Use of Plant Life, Australian Case Study Garden was an homage to t

In designing Inspired by Time, Orisis drew deeply on ancient Chinese culture, including the tenets of Feng Shui, while also reflecting a present-day Chinese garden aesthetic. A modern interpretation of a traditional Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Inspired

Living Garden showed how we can live in harmony with nature by integrating native flora and habitats for fauna into our gardens. Here, this assumed various forms, including animal “homes” built into a feature basalt wall and habitats located under ro

Candeo Design created Square 1 with flexibility in mind (the design could be adapted to a courtyard or form part of a big backyard) — also, restraint. The latter could be seen in the hardscaping elements, most notably the cool grey sandblasted finish

This garden exemplified how soft and hard landscaping elements can be effectively combined, and how a borrowed landscape of surrounding trees can be “captured” to increase the sense of connection to nature and make a backyard feel bigger. Something B

A garden allowing for interaction, exploration, absorption and reflection, Harmony was designed with a very simple goal in mind — to promote a harmonious co-existence and a fully immersive experience with the natural world. Winner of a bronze medal i

When Gerrard Everson, the founder of Octopus Garden Design, purchased some imported French vintage 1950s concrete pots in 2017, they weren’t just for his own use — he wanted to use them as key pieces in The Patina Garden. Inspired by the hourglass sh

Thoughtfully designed to adapt to the different stages of family life, this garden was inspired by the various members of Melbourne landscape designer Ben Hutchinson’s own clan. Moreover, the design concept was informed by Ben’s passion for sustainab

Melbourne landscape designer Christian Jenkins, a veteran of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, drew on his love of Japanese landscapes when developing the concept for his wellness garden, dubbed Finding Your Balance. More specifically

Palm Springs style is officially back in … and what’s not to love? The design goal of this project, located in picturesque Byron Bay, was to create an outdoor space that exudes fun in the sun by day and glamorous charm by night. The garden was design

Australian bushland retreat meets traditional Japanese garden is one way to describe this design. A collaboration between Ross Uebergang Landscape Design and Japan’s Yosuke Yamaguchi, Unity Garden combined the hardy trees and plants of the Australian

When you’re designing your home and garden from scratch, you can give full expression to your imagination and create your dream outdoor entertaining area. When the owners of this property in Sydney’s rural outer-west began planning their new home, th

Evoking images of a tropical resort, this rear garden in the suburbs of Sydney has become a summer sanctuary for one very happy young family. The homeowners wanted an entertaining area, a place where the kids could play, and a pool zone that was invi

Lounging in the backyard with friends and family is commonplace in the Sunshine State, whether by the pool or stretched out on the lawn. So when it came time to update their tired garden and pool area, this Queensland family wanted to create a place

You don’t need oodles of outdoor space to entertain, which is great news for the growing number of Australians living in apartments. All it takes is some creative thinking and an understanding of the particular challenges that come with designing a b

Although the rear garden of this Melbourne property accounted for roughly a quarter of the block, it was rarely used as it appeared removed from the house. With three young children, the owners wanted to create an area where they could spend time wit

When you step into this stylish rear-garden retreat, you’re transported away from the cares of the work-a-day world to a serene place where comfort and pleasure are the guiding principles. This wasn’t always the case, however. The old garden was tire

Each time you venture through this home’s sliding glass doors into the backyard — be it for a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or a relaxed barbecue meal — you feel like you’re on vacation in a private luxury villa. Given the backyard’s limited di

The completion of this garden design had a considerable degree of pressure placed upon it — a very special family function. The wedding date was set and the invitations were out for a pre-wedding reception in the garden, so the outdoor space had to b

A sloping site may be a bit more challenging than a flat one, but it also opens the door for some creative design solutions. Case in point is this property in the Perth suburb of Mount Claremont, a 50m-long, 10m-wide block with an east-west orientati

There is something soothing about rounded shapes in a garden. The curves are easy on the eye and they have a way of drawing your attention in a gentle, leisurely way. When a curved shape is used for a seating area or gathering place, it offers the ad

A Total Concept, a well-established company specialising in both landscape architecture and swimming pool design, was engaged by the owners of this impressive Sydney property to design, then project manage the construction of the pool, boat shed and

The owners of this home, a design-savvy couple, wanted a casual, contemporary entertaining space with a swimming pool. They also wanted a spot where the children could play and as there was a clear view of the entire backyard from the indoor living a

As a general rule of thumb, the best homes and gardens are those that are designed in harmony. Located in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, this property is a case in point. The landscape designers from WAX Design have created outdoor spaces that reflect t

The owners of this Federation home loved their formal garden but felt their outdoor spaces could be put to better use, so they contacted Peter Ciobo, design director of Gaia Gardens, to create new alfresco cooking and dining areas. “Not only did we n

Australia is famed for its outdoor lifestyle, so it’s not surprising that many homeowners consider it essential that there be a flawless connection between their interior and exterior living spaces. This was the goal when GOODMANORS pool + garden was

For some, such a large site with such an imposing residence would prove daunting. For Nathan Hunt from Outdoor Domain Designs, it was an exciting opportunity to create something special. “Because of the scale, I decided to break the site down into se

Taking inspiration from their trips abroad, the homeowners wanted a resort-style garden with a pool house and open-plan living area that the whole family could enjoy. Incorporating tropical plants, the garden design was to be low-maintenance luxury,

This inviting entertaining zone was designed with the whole family in mind and has plenty of space for everyone. Kiama Landscaping & Pools engaged Cycas Landscape Design to create a design concept that was true to the clients’ vision. Kiama then brou

WHAT DREW YOU TO DESIGN? My grandfather was a creative inventor and gardener. When I was a child he was forever talking to me and showing me his ideas and designs, and pointing out shapes, details and plants and how these went together in the world.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? For me it was a natural evolution over a number of years. As a lover of the outdoors and architecture, I travelled a lot after high school. Through my travels I was inspired by some amazing sights, cultures and landscapes.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? From a young age I was given many opportunities to work with some amazing landscape designers. The experiences they exposed me to opened my eyes to the many possibilities within the realm of landscape design and constructi

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? I began as a horticulturist and segued into designing and creating landscapes. I always thought it was a shame that we lost a great deal of the effect and atmosphere at night by not having suitable light fittings. At the t

Garden lighting is every bit as important as the timber you use for your decking or the barbecue you choose for your entertaining area. It’s something that needs to be considered and planned from the outset and this includes what to light and how, as

Sometimes garden lighting is a bit of an afterthought. A great deal of care goes into choosing the paving, plants and pots, but how much attention is paid to what should be illuminated and what type of fittings used? Thinking about how you will light

Outdoor entertaining has become an Australian obsession, from summer through to winter. So how do you take the chill out of the air on a frosty winter’s day or add warmth on a crisp summer’s night? The answer is with the IXL Fresco Aurora. From IXL H

Today we furnish our outdoor areas with the same care and attention to detail as our interior living spaces, and we expect the same quality and comfort. Often, we want our outdoor furniture to complement our interior decor, ensuring a seamless indoor

Any season is the right season for a barbecue — or a wood-fired pizza — when your alfresco living space features an outdoor kitchen like this amazing custom creation from LimeTree Alfresco. Part of a backyard in the inner Melbourne suburb of Northcot

With summer upon us, thoughts turn to outdoor entertaining — and how to do that in maximum style and comfort. Shade is an essential element and an awning is the ideal solution. Awnings are a significant investment, but choose well and they will give

If you want to shelter an outdoor space from the sun or rain, you need a tailored solution that suits your specific needs. If what you seek is an outdoor living space that you can use year-round, you need the experts from Outrigger Awnings & Sails. O

Set in the lovely coastal town of Port Willunga, south of Adelaide, this stunning new home is the ultimate combination of functionality, sustainable design and contemporary style. Most notably, the beach house employs a range of passive solar control

There’s no denying it. Spending time outside, whether entertaining friends or kicking back with family, is an Australian obsession. But just because you enjoy being in the great outdoors doesn’t mean you want to have the sun beating down on your head

With an Excelite polycarbonate enclosure you can use your swimming pool year-round. In summer you can enjoy protection from the punishing heat and the sun’s damaging UV rays, while in winter you’ll be 8-10° warmer — and you’ll be sheltered from cold

A timber deck, cladding, pergola, screen or fence — even outdoor furniture — can represent a substantial investment, so you want to do all you can to preserve its natural good looks and ensure its longevity. Sikkens specialises in professional woodca

With the right treatment, it’s easy to keep even the most porous natural stone and paving, as well as tile and brick, looking great for many years. Treating a porous surface with the right impregnating sealer also makes cleaning easier. Staining is t

For those drawn to the look of natural stone, Chesser Stone manufactures an extensive array of reconstituted sandstone products for the home and garden. The product range encompasses architectural mouldings, fence and gate pillars, and a full suite o

With Futurewood’s impressive range of high-quality solid composite timber cladding products, you can completely change the look of your garden, update the exterior of your home or simply add a modern, decorative touch to an outdoor space. “Just one l

It’s undeniable. The sight of a magnolia or camellia laden with blooms gladdens the eye and sets the spirit soaring. Of the magnolias, Magnolia ‘Teddy Bear’ is among the most beautiful and reliable, which is why it is one of The Greenery Garden Centr

For many, gardening is a passion; for others, it is therapeutic. For some, however, it just seems like a lot of hard work for very little return. You see images of lovely gardens in magazines and on television and they inspire you to create your own

Gabions are most commonly used to construct walls, but they can also be used in a host of creative ways to build decorative and practical structures around the home and in the garden, such as letterboxes, pizza oven bases, planter boxes and seating.

Rock-filled gabions are very quickly becoming a must-have in residential home and garden design. Outside they’re being used to build retaining and decorative garden walls, and they’re being incorporated into a wide variety of design elements, ranging

Be it a swimming pool, outdoor spa or water feature, tiling adds the finishing flourish, creating a look that is elegant and timeless. To achieve a flawless result, you don’t just need quality tiles — you need an expert tiler using premium adhesives,

Outdeco screens offer good looks, longevity and versatility. Screens can be adapted to any purpose: think partitions, arbours, gateways, fencing and bench boxes. Also think decorative panelling to dress up or mask a dull garden wall, or screening to