The longer days have us yearning for more time outside, enjoying the fresh air with our friends and family. If you’re like us, this has you imagining ways to create a beautiful garden patio.
After 26 years in the business, our clients always inspire us with how beautifully they finish and decorate their patios. We’ve gathered some of our favourite garden patio ideas that elevate backyard spaces to the ultimate retreat.
Get ready for BBQs, al-fresco drinks, and reading under the glow of the setting sun with these 6 easy patio garden ideas.
6 Patio Garden Ideas for a Tranquil, Beautiful Backyard
- Add Edible Garden Elements
- Take Advantage of Vertical Space
- Use Pots and Planters
- Go Low-Maintenance
- Incorporate Strategic Screening Plants
- Add Simple Finishing Touches
1. Add Edible Garden Elements
Our favourite garden patio idea is adding edible elements. Along with adding visual appeal, edible garden patios can be fun, healthy, and convenient.
Grab a sprig of mint for your glass of ice water or fresh tomatoes for chicken mozzarella on the BBQ,
Herb gardens also add beauty and greenery to hardscapes and are surprisingly simple to maintain. Start small with a pot or two of herbs and expand from there.
Certain plants are best suited to Australian patio gardens, including:
- Herbs such as mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, basil, and parsley
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Leafy greens
- Dwarf fruit trees
- Lilly pilly (so good for yummy jams!)
- Radishes
You May Also Like: A Simple Guide to Revamping Your Patio – Aussie Patio Designs
2. Take Advantage of Vertical Space
Vertical areas often get forgotten, but they are key for drawing the eye upward and creating the illusion of more space.
Climbing vines are an easy option for evoking feelings of relaxation in your patio garden. Using plants to draw the eye upward also helps make use of limited patio space and creates an enchanting vibe.
Create your own little backyard escape with these vertical plants for a patio garden:
- Shade-Loving Vine: Star Jasmine
- Sun-Loving Vine: Bouganvillea.
- Fast-Growing: Crimson Glory
- More Plant-Wall Friendly Options: Ferns, Orchids, Begonias, and Geraniums
These Perth homeowners did a great job incorporating vertical elements into their gorgeous patio: Domed Roof Patio Over Pool.
3. Use Pots and Planters
If your patio is paved and completely covered, a garden may feel impossible. Enter the versatility and convenience of pots and planters. No rain or soil needed!
Pots and planters make it easy to add lushness, visual interest, and colour to your garden patio. Since they can be easily moved, you can change up the look of your entire patio and yard in a matter of minutes
When we think of pots and planters for a garden patio, this is one of the best examples that comes to mind: Awesome Carport & Alfresco & Verandah Build.
We’ve referenced this Perth patio before for the homeowner’s stunning use of greenery, vibrancy, and creativity.
These owners used a raised garden, fountain, planters, and pots to bring their backyard alive. With greenery and colour at every turn, this patio feels more like a lush tropical oasis than a city yard.
You May Also Like: 10 Luxury Home Exterior Upgrades – Aussie Patio Designs
4. Go Low-Maintenance
Not quite a green thumb? Here are options for anyone who wants low-maintenance patio garden options that still deliver vibrancy and visual appeal.
Opt for hardy options that are native to Australia and require minimal water and care. Drought-resistant succulents are one of the best options for minimal care garden patio plants. They can be found in a wide range of shapes and sizes and grow well just about anywhere.
Other low-maintenance plants for an Australian patio garden include:
- Lavender
- Kangaroo Paw
- Wattles
- Grevillea
- Bottlebrush
You May Also Like: 10 Simple Yet Stunning Patio Landscaping Ideas – Aussie Patio Designs
5. Incorporate Strategic Screening Plants
Using plants strategically is one of the best ways to create instant privacy for your backyard. As a bonus, plants double as visual interest and can make a patio garden feel welcoming and calming.
Many homeowners prefer the softer appeal of a living privacy wall, and screening plants are perfect for this.
Benefits of screening plants for a natural privacy barrier include:
- Muffle unwanted sounds, such as a nearby busy road
- Block out prying neighbors or passerbys
- Help block out wind
- Block out an unsightly view
- Ideal for tight or awkward spaces
Here are tips to create a natural privacy barrier:
- Use tall potted plants in a row to create a natural privacy buffer
- Use real climbing vines or faux vines
- Hang planters strategically to block out unwanted views
- Use fast-growing grasses, trees, and hedges, such as Thuja Green Giant or Leyland Cypress, to create a living wall
See more ideas on creating privacy in our most recent blog post:
7 Easy Backyard Privacy Ideas for Perth Homes and Patios – Aussie Patio Designs.
6. Add Simple Finishing Touches to Complete Your Garden
Complete your garden patio with these finishing touches. These simple additions go a long way in helping your garden patio feel like a backyard retreat:
- Soft Outdoor Lighting: Solar lights, hanging lanterns, and string lights add warmth, function, and an inviting ambiance
- Water Elements: From a small fountain to a reflection pool, water is infamous for its calming, tranquil properties.
- Fire Pit: A simple fire pit can make evenings outside feel magical
- A Garden Bench: Add visual appeal and an area to sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings you created
- A Garden Path: Add a functional focal point with a pebbled or stone path. A garden path is also a great way to create visual cohesion between backyard elements.
Find more inspiration here on creating the ultimate backyard escape here: 13 Backyard Oasis Ideas for Your Home – Aussie Patio Designs
Designing and Building Dream Perth Backyards for Almost 30 Years
A garden patio is one of our favourite ways to enjoy Perth’s beautiful summer days and mild evenings. Adding herbs, vertical elements, and potted plants can turn your garden patio into a dreamy retreat.
If you’re still in the dreaming stages of your backyard oasis, we’re here to help make it a reality. We’ve helped hundreds of Perth homeowners turn their plain yards into their favourite place to be. We’d love to hear your ideas and get started. Contact our team to book your free quote.
