Your backyard space can be an oasis within your home, especially over the summer. So if yours is in need of a makeover, explore our top 20 ideas on how you could transform your backyard into everyone's favourite setting.
All Green is Melbourne's one-stop backyard makeover mecca. We stock a wide range of plants, trees and landscaping supplies that will make your next garden project a breeze.
Read on to discover some fantastic landscape design ideas for your garden.
1. Focal point
A backyard works best with a focal point. This means that everything else in the garden is used carefully to emphasise or celebrate your desired focal point. This could be anything from a large native tree, to a bird bath or oversized feature pot. Truly, this is one of the best landscape design ideas.
2. Layers and contours
You don’t have to undertake major earthworks to add depth to a backyard. Instead, simply use layers and contours. For example, a few sleepers can create exquisite garden edging, or a raised garden bed along a fence or wall.
3. Paving and pebbles
Pavers, pebble beds and gravel are low-maintenance options that create a neat and modern yard, and they can look stunning when used together to create interesting patterns. Use them between your plants, within your garden beds or along the footpath to create more texture.
4. Turf
Happiness is... lying on the grass and staring at the sky. Even a small patch of lawn can be enough to help you foster a tangible connection with nature, and give children and pets a place to play. At All Green, we stock a range of turf that will add vibrant colour to your garden while keeping the space practical for everyday activities.
5. Synthetic grass
Modern synthetic grasses are so realistic it’s amazing. They require no mowing, weeding, or pesticides, and are perfect for areas of heavy traffic, deep shade, or poor soil. They are also ideal for small backyards where regular maintenance is difficult to perform.
6. Splash of colour
Sometimes all it takes to make a backyard pop is to add some colour. Turn a dull fence into a bright feature wall or jazz up some old pots or planters with a coat of paint. Talk to us for more backyard landscaping ideas that involve adding some colour to your space.
7. Water features
Water features add a beautiful, tranquil touch to an outdoor space. Whether you opt for a small or large water feature, we guarantee it will transform the look of your garden - helping you create a calm environment loved by all.
8. Herb beds
There’s nothing like fresh herbs on hand all year round — and they look fantastic in your garden. Popular choices in backyard beds include chives, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme, coriander and basil.
9. Vertical gardens
Also known as living walls, vertical gardens are a great way to add greenery when space becomes an issue. Plus, they are incredibly popular in concreted, urban living spaces when greenery is usually hard to find. If you have a small urban backyard, consider jazzing it up with a vertical garden.
10. Outdoor rugs
Weatherproof rugs can make outdoor spaces seem more inviting, and help create the feeling of a seamless transition between the inside and out. As far as backyard landscape garden design ideas go, this one is pretty great.
11. Backyard pond
Take your water feature to the next level by incorporating a backyard pond into your garden. Have little fish swimming in your garden all year round, creating the perfect focal point for your outdoor space.
12. Decks
Decks don’t have to be big to make a big difference; as little as 3 metres squared is enough to house a table and a few chairs and add a new level of interest to a backyard.
13. Archways
Archways are easy to build or cheap to buy. They can be a feature or a focal point on their own or even better, covered with a flowering climber such as a jasmine.
14. Screening
Use screening plants and feature screens to block out neighbours or to cut back on wind and sun. This privacy can be granted by way of designed materials, or natural grasses, like bamboo.
15. Feature pots
Outdoor pots enable you to put plants where digging isn’t convenient, and they look good, too. Oversized pots in particular are very popular at the moment. They look great near flower beds or on the backyard patio - adding crafty decor to an outdoor living space.
16. Pergolas
Pergolas add a touch of class to any outdoor area and can be tailored to let in as much light as you need. Plants such as wisteria with dramatic hanging flowers add a wow factor.
17. Tree bench
Got a big tree situated right in the middle of your makeover plan? Wrap a tree bench around it and turn it into the central feature of your yard. Now that's one of the best landscape design ideas!
18. Fire pit
Cozy up this winter with your very own outdoor fire pit. It’s the ideal way to add some warmth to your garden while creating a feature that everyone will love.
19. Arbor and swing set
Add a whimsical touch of quaintness and romance to a small backyard or the forgotten corner of a bigger yard with an arbour and swing set.
20. Dry creek bed
A great way to solve drainage issues, a dry creek bed can look so natural you'd think it had always been part of the landscape. Top it with a little bridge for added effect.
