The beach is something near and dear to many Australians’ hearts. We’ve been praised for our coastal communities and lifestyle by the world. It’s so infectious that even those inland feel the beach calling to them. When our national identity is greatly tied to the coast, it makes sense why homeowners want to bring it into their designs.
This article will provide design tips and tricks for those looking to turn their backyard into a beach paradise. Whether you live near the coast or just enjoy the beach, there is no reason that you can’t get the same aesthetic in the comfort of your own home.
View this post on Instagram
Making A Backyard Beach
For those not blessed with a coastal home – this backyard design is a great substitute that brings the beach to you. If you simply want a beach-inspired yard/patio, skip the next two points. But, if you’re going to add a conversation piece that elevates the beach vibe of your home, continue reading.
Nail The Look Of The Coast With A Beach Pool Entrance
A sloping pool entrance, also known as beach entrance, gives your pool a natural-looking, gradual slope into the main body of water. Not only does this style give your pool the look of a natural beach, but it has many practical benefits too. It offers a more accessible and gradual entry, making it safer to get in and out of. And the best part is they can be built into new or existing pools.
Don’t Be Afraid To Play With Sand
People tend to be cautious about integrating sand into their homes. It can seem rough and almost unfinished when done incorrectly. But more and more people are enjoying having the sand between their toes with these beachy yard features.
A popular choice is filling a fire pit area with sand and topping it off with outdoor lounge equipment. This way, you can enjoy summer nights beside the fire in your own personal coastal retreat.
Capturing The Essential Beach Look
If you already have the luxury of having a beach-side home or simply enjoy the look of coastal designs and want to integrate them into your home, these tips will help you capture the perfect modern beach look.
Borrowing The Best From Other Beach Trends
The modern beach look can be described as a melting pot of other hugely popular designs we’ve seen before that combines all the best features.
It uses the Hamptons‘ light colours and neutral tones while borrowing some tropical features from Balinese designs and a dash of the rustic flair that is Boho.
Beach Plants
Like all other yard themes, the plants you pick tell as much of a story as the features you add. Despite how stunning Australian beaches are, they actually make quite difficult conditions for plants to grow in. Because of that, native beach gardens are striking and resilient.
Don’t confuse tropical plants with coastal plants. You won’t find a rainforest plant’s thick, wide leaves near the gusting coastal winds and salty sprays. Instead, you will be utilising thin, sharp and wiry plants to create a beautifully rugged garden.
Some must include plant types are:
- Palms
- Hibbertia scandens
- Pandanus
- She-oak
- Agonis flexuosa
- Banksia integrifolia
- Pigface succulents
There are plenty of other great options for your native beach garden. Do some shopping around and even contact your council to find out which native plants exist in your nearest coastal zone.
View this post on Instagram
Modern Beach Decorations & Furnishings
Loose shells and surfing memorabilia are dated aesthetics that don’t encapsulate the beauty of modern beach designs. Contemporary beach yards are light, flowing and free. Sure some tiki torches, a beach umbrella or surfboard can become a fun feature – but mix them, and you might have something that leans more towards gimmicky than refined.
Use cliche ‘beach’ items sparingly and just allow the simple, natural materials you’ve chosen to do the talking for you – after all, less is more.
You’re going to want to create an open and inviting space with plenty of shade. Pick up a comfortable deck furniture set; like an outdoor sofa, some wooden chairs and a table. Avoid bulky items because the essence of a beach design is open space that invites in the breeze. You want a place to relax and drift away, so it’s the perfect place to hang a hammock or hanging egg chair.
Natural Stone & Wood
The beach is a place many go to soak in nature and enjoy the combination of saltwater, strong winds and warm sunny days. It’s a predominantly organic place, so your furnishings and features should also feel natural and unprocessed.
These features can be used anywhere, from your furnishings to decking. Just try to utilise them wherever you deem fit. Wooden plank decks are a staple of beach designs; however, rugged stone blocks and tiles have also been on the rise. It boils down to if you want a warmer or cooler space.
Whatever your main tone is, try and contrast it with your furniture. Light beige upholstered lounges and chairs stand out on a stained wood deck. In contrast, things like teak wood or rattan add some much-needed warmth to open, white-tiled spaces. It’s all about balancing out your base with the features you choose.
You want your design to suggest beachy, not scream it!
Like we said earlier, overusing the beach motif can do more harm than good. Instead of filling your shelves with ropes, nautical imagery and anchors, opt for organic contemporary coastal decors like woods, natural fibres, woven rugs and unprocessed materials like linen and cotton.
Colour And Patterns
Soft neutrals will provide a timeless base for your beach design. Utilise whites or off-whites to take up the most room, then accent with touches of colour. Look around the environment that you want to emulate and use colours that have a natural connection. That’s why stone greys or sand whites are commonly paired with light blues or ocean teal colours in most popular beach designs. You want the colours you pick to feel like they naturally exist with a beach design.
For a bit of fun, colours like turquoise, pinks, royal blues and bottle greens can make your yard pop with a retro beachy vibe. These tones are great accents and pair well with the natural materials you’ll be using to decorate.
Nautical stripes are a timeless pattern that really gives your design that beachy feeling. They can contrast nicely with some leafy patterns that are also in style.
Take Your Beach Yard To The Next Level
No matter how you choose to design your yard, you’ll want a lot of space. At SEQ Patios, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners create the backyard of their dreams. Our expert team can create custom patios, pergolas and carports in a range of styles to suit whichever aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking to take your backyard design to the next level and enhance your space, contact us today.
