This summer’s top garden design trends.
Real Estate In Motion | Winter is over and spring is finally here, so it’s time to start preparing your garden or backyard for the summer. If you want...
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This summer’s top garden design trends.

Winter is over and spring is finally here, so it’s time to start preparing your garden or backyard for the summer. If you want to be the envy of all your friends and neighbours come barbecue season, it pays to stay up to date with the latest garden and backyard looks. Last year it was all about vegetable gardens and landscape lighting, but this year the focus is on combined indoor and outdoor living – bringing the best of the indoors to your sunny garden.

Here are the top garden design and outdoor living trends that you should consider using this spring.


Swimming pools


When it comes to swimming pools, glass fencing is the must-have upgrade this year. With glass surrounding your pool, you can enjoy the view unimpeded, while providing a secure and safe environment - which is particularly important if you have kids.

If you haven't already got a pool, consider getting a plunge pool in your backyard. Plunge pools bring a slice of exotic island paradise to your home, and are the perfect place to unwind after a hard day at work.


Outdoor rooms


Outdoor rooms are all the rage at the moment, and it’s easy to see why – you can enjoy the outdoors while taking advantage of all your home comforts. Outdoor blinds or patio blinds are an excellent addition to an outdoor room. These blinds can be added to your deck, patio, pergola or other outside area, to give you total control over the amount of light you let in - perfect for those blazing hot summer days, or those romantic evenings when you'd like a little privacy.

Outdoor spas are another one of this year's fantastic backyard ideas that bring the best of the inside, out. You could install a hot tub, luxury bathtub, or sauna just outside your home. It's up to you whether your spa is entirely or partly outdoors; with a hot tub on your deck, you can relax while feeling the fresh breeze and staring up at the stars. Or, you could add an awning for some shelter from the sun and rain.


Outdoor decking and patios


Outdoor decking and patios are almost a necessity for outdoor entertaining here in Australia. It's important to consider your landscaping carefully when choosing a deck or patio this season, as you want the two to complement each other - remember, it's all about seamlessly combining indoor and outdoor designs and features.

When it comes to decks or patios, you need to style the surfaces to accentuate the home’s design, both the interior and exterior. The lighting, furnishings, flora, walls and floor materials all play a key part.

Solar lighting or candles are a popular way to create a pathway up the stairs or to outline the deck area. Accompanying this lighting with red, white and blue flora, including impatiens, butterfly bush, hydrangea, petunias and geraniums, will make a big impact. If you'd like to add a tropical touch, include long lasting bellflowers, hostas, ferns, or palms. It's best to stick to simple wooden furniture (such as bamboo) for a natural look.


Creating shade


With the summer fast approaching, you need to ensure you have sufficient shade in your backyard so you can relax outside without the searing heat affecting you. Shade sails and awnings are a popular trend this spring. Shade sails are a particularly affordable choice that also look chic and modern; you can choose from different materials, with many different colours and designs, and various levels of UV protection. You could also try a canopy or pergola - make sure it's north-facing if you want to catch the sun all year round. To make your garden even more of a natural paradise, add vines to your pergola; they will provide extra shade and make your garden look welcoming.

When choosing outdoor furniture, be sure to pick quality pieces that can stand up to everything the Australian weather will likely throw at them. Even if you intend the bring the items inside, it's best to invest in furniture and furnishings that will stand the test of time.


Fire pits


For a garden feature that will get used all year round, consider installing a fire pit. The popularity of fire pits has exploded over the last year or so, largely due to their rustic look and multiple uses. An outdoor barbecue pit is a fantastic way to combine the fire pit trend with updating your barbie. When looking at fire pit designs, it’s important to consider your garden’s overall landscape design, how many guests you usually entertain, and local fire regulations.

All of these suggestions for your garden or backyard, when implemented in the right way, will have your home on-trend this summer.