Perth is a great place to live, and many of us spend a lot of time outdoors. Having a comfortable and usable outdoor space at home offers numerous benefits and is considered an essential aspect of a well-rounded living environment.
Being able to extend your living space is one of the most popular reasons people use landscape designers in Perth. An outdoor area expands the usable space of your home, providing additional space for relaxation, entertainment, and activities. It allows you to enjoy the outdoors while still being in the comfort of your own property.
We all know that spending time outdoors has proven benefits for physical and mental well-being. It provides an opportunity for fresh air, natural sunlight, and vitamin D absorption as well as the ability to connect with nature and significantly reduce your stress levels. Having a comfortable outdoor space encourages you to spend more time outside, promoting an active and healthier lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking for pool landscape design or an edible garden, a professional landscaping company in Perth can help you create the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming of.
Our 10 Favourite Inspiring Outdoor Landscaping Ideas
There are certainly some great ways to use your outdoor space no matter how big or small it is. Here are our favourite ways to landscape your garden.
Native Plant Garden
Create a garden using native plants that are well-suited to your region’s climate and soil conditions. This promotes biodiversity, conserves water, and attracts local wildlife. Some of the best native plants when landscaping in Perth include:
- Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp.): Known for its unique flower shape and vibrant colours, Kangaroo Paw is an iconic native plant of Western Australia. It thrives in Perth’s Mediterranean climate and adds a striking feature to any garden.
- Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa): This hardy shrub is ideal for coastal gardens in Perth. It has small, aromatic leaves and produces delicate white or purple flowers. Coastal Rosemary is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
- Swan River Daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia): With its dainty blue or purple flowers, Swan River Daisy is a popular choice for adding colour to garden beds or borders. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
- Red-Beaked Banksia (Banksia coccinea): This shrub or small tree displays stunning red or pink cylindrical flowers. It attracts nectar-feeding birds and thrives in sandy, well-drained soils.
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia cyclops): A tough and salt-tolerant shrub, Coastal Wattle features bright yellow flowers and silver-gray foliage. It is well-suited to coastal gardens and sandy soils.
- Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum): This evergreen shrub is known for its waxy flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple. Geraldton Wax is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils.
- Hakea (Hakea spp): There are numerous species of Hakea that are native to Western Australia. They come in various sizes and have distinctive flowers and foliage. Hakeas are adaptable and can thrive in different soil types.
If you have plenty of space, the Western Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda) is a great choice. While it may not be suitable for all garden sizes, it is a spectacular native tree with bright orange flowers. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it taps into the roots of nearby plants, so it is certainly worth talking to landscape designers in Perth to see if this tree can be planted in your garden.
Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens are perfect for those homes without a lot of space, and here is a lot you can grow vertically! These gardens can add a vibrant element to your outdoor area, whether you are trying to make over your apartment balcony or brighten up a space in your garden. Some of the best plants for vertical gardens include fuschia, begonia, ferns, anthuriums, and crassula.
These gardens can be difficult to grow and do require a fair amount of maintenance, so it is important to plan them out correctly before you get started.
Patios & Decking
You can transform your outdoor space into a beautiful and functioning area. Designed for entertaining loved ones, enjoying poolside relaxation, or to simply indulge in a quiet moment.
A thoughtfully crafted patio can connect your indoor and outdoor space and well-designed decking becomes an extension of your home, providing a space to soak up the beauty of your surroundings.
When it comes to decking, the design options are limitless. Choosing materials from hardwood or composite decking to selecting colours, patterns and finishes you create an outdoor sanctuary where you can truly unwind and enjoy the Perth lifestyle.
Fire Pit Areas
Perth’s weather is generally quite good year-round, and even in those cooler months, a cosy fire pit is a welcoming space to socialise and enjoy evenings chatting with family and friends. So, what does a fire pit area need? Comfortable seating, and somewhere to store your kindling.
Working with a landscaper is essential – they can design the right fire pit to match the style of your home and include all the elements you want.
Water Features
Incorporating a water feature like a fountain, pond or waterfall can add an enticing element to your yard. The sound and movement of water can add a calming ambiance to your outdoor space and attract birds and other wildlife.
There are two main ways to incorporate water features into your home. Firstly, you can build a pond with a fountain which can give you the ability to grow water lilies or have a koi pond. Secondly, if you are looking for different pool landscape design ideas, include a waterfall in your pool build, and give your home a resort-like feel.
Outdoor Lighting
Many people forget about outdoor lighting, but it is just as important as the rest of your backyard design. We recommend using a combination of soft, ambient lighting and accent lights to highlight focal points in your garden – think interesting plants, statues, or trees.
It goes without saying but ensure you choose lighting that is specifically designed to be outdoors. Solar is a great option in Perth, especially for those adding to their garden. For those doing a whole garden renovation, you may want to consider having an electrician run wiring for and install the lights before you plant your garden.
Paths and Pavers
Paths are an important part of a landscape design – they guide visitors through your garden, allow you to walk through your garden without getting your feet wet or dirty, add structure and add visual interest. Using natural materials such as natural stone or gravel is a great option, but there are plenty of paving designs out there which can add an interesting element to your garden.
It is essential to make sure that any pathway material you choose is slip-proof or can have a slip resistant coating added to them.
Outdoor Kitchen
While the BBQ is a quintessential part of living in Australia, if you have the space, an outdoor kitchen can give you plenty of space to cook and entertain outdoors. Outdoor kitchens can be almost anything you want to be – from simple spaces for your BBQ and a bench through to a full kitchen with grill, oven, countertops, sink, fridge, and seating.
Make sure to include a covered area with pull down cafe blinds which will allow you to cook and entertain outdoors, no matter the weather.
Play Area
Let’s not forget the kids! There is so much that can be done with children’s play spaces these days, with structures, swings, and sandpits popular choices. Montessori style play structures are a great way to get the kids outdoors, while a traditional cubby house will have their imagination going for hours.
A well-designed play area encourages outdoor time and provides a safe place for them to explore and have fun.
Choosing Your Landscape Gardener in Perth
At Indian Ocean Landscapes, we’ve been working hard over the last 14 years to be one of Perth’s premier design and landscaping companies. We have a commitment to providing quality garden designs and our entire team takes pride in creating beautiful landscape spaces in a professional and cost-effective manner.
If you’re looking to extend the living space available in your Perth home, contact our friendly team of landscape designers in Perth, and let’s see how we can make over your backyard.