A successful backyard landscaping renovation in Perth starts well before the first paver is laid or a new lawn is installed. Perth’s dry summers, winter rainfall, sandy soils and the variation between coastal and inland suburbs all affect how an outdoor space should be planned. A practical layout can make the garden easier to use, easier to maintain and less expensive to alter later.
This guide explains how to plan a Perth backyard makeover, choose materials and organise the work in a sensible construction sequence. It covers drainage, paving, lawns, irrigation, planting and maintenance. For help with larger projects, explore our Perth landscaping services or request a quote.
1. Start with how you want to use the backyard
Before choosing turf, decorative gravel or pavers, make a list of the activities the outdoor space must support. Some Perth households want a low-maintenance courtyard; others need a family lawn, entertaining patio, garden storage, pet-friendly surfaces or planting for privacy.
- Outdoor entertaining: enough practical space for a table, chairs, access and movement around the furniture.
- Children and pets: surfaces suited to play, safe access and appropriate planting choices.
- Privacy: hedging, screening or thoughtfully positioned trees without creating future root conflicts.
- Maintenance: consider how much mowing, pruning, cleaning and watering you realistically want.
- Access: routes between the house, gates, clothesline, bins, garage and any pool area.
A good landscaping plan should resolve circulation and usability first. That can prevent expensive changes after paving or turf installation.
2. Measure the site and check existing conditions
Measure the usable length and width of the backyard and record existing structures, fences, trees, drains, taps, reticulation, slopes and changes in ground level. Note where doors open, where afternoon sun hits, and which areas remain shaded for much of the day.
Record more than the boundary dimensions
Check access for bringing in pavers, turf, aggregate, soil, plants or equipment. A narrow side passage can have a major effect on labour and material handling. Measure whether a wheelbarrow, pallet trolley or small machine can reach the work area without damaging existing surfaces.
Take photos from several angles and sketch the proposed zones. Even a simple labelled plan makes quotations easier to compare because different contractors can price the same scope.
Check underground services before digging
Before excavation for garden beds, irrigation trenches, retaining structures or foundations, check for underground services. Before You Dig Australia provides a free referral service for available underground asset plans. Plans do not replace locating or safe excavation practices; service information must be assessed on site.
3. Design around Perth’s climate and soils
Many metropolitan Perth properties have sandy soils that drain rapidly and may become water-repellent. Coastal sites may experience stronger wind and salt exposure, while established suburbs can have mature trees, shade, older garden beds and root competition.
A successful design considers how soil, plants, paving and irrigation interact. Avoid selecting drought-tolerant plants and then putting them on the same irrigation schedule as thirsty turf. Grouping plants by water requirements—often called hydrozoning—makes it easier to manage the landscape efficiently.
Think about summer heat, winter rain and shade
West-facing entertaining areas can become very hot, particularly next to dark paving or exposed masonry. Consider summer shade from appropriate trees, pergolas or other structures, while allowing for safe clearances and any approvals required. Observe where rainwater currently flows after heavy winter showers before changing levels.
See our Perth summer garden preparation guide for more on watering, soil improvement and hot-weather maintenance.
4. Plan drainage and finished levels before paving or turf
Drainage and levels are among the most important technical decisions in a garden renovation. New paving, raised garden beds or changes to surface grading must not direct unwanted stormwater towards the house, neighbouring properties or vulnerable structures.
- Identify the existing fall of the block and any low spots that collect water.
- Consider the levels at doors, garages, vents, garden walls, fences and existing paths.
- Plan how water will move from roofs, lawns, garden beds and paved surfaces.
- Allow for local soil conditions, access to existing stormwater systems and relevant approvals.
- Use qualified drainage design or specialist advice where the situation requires it.
Do not assume that additional sand or a drain will solve every wet area. The right treatment depends on ground levels, catchment area, outlet arrangements and local conditions.
5. Choose paving and hardscaping materials for the space
Paving often creates the permanent structure of a backyard: patios, entertainment areas, walking routes and transitions between turf, planting and other features. Material selection should account for intended loads, slip resistance, finish, maintenance, exposure and budget.
Brick and concrete paving
Brick and concrete pavers can suit pathways, courtyards and entertaining areas and can be laid in patterns that complement the property. A durable result depends on the selected product, appropriate base preparation, edge restraints and joint finishing—not only the colour of the paver.
Natural stone and travertine
Natural stone can give a refined finish around selected outdoor areas, but slip characteristics, sealing, maintenance and installation method must suit the site. Pool surrounds and wet areas require particularly careful material selection and compliance with relevant requirements.
Exposed aggregate, stepping stones and gravel
Decorative concrete, stepping stones and gravel can provide a different feel to a garden design. Consider where loose materials may migrate onto paving, whether paths remain easy to walk on and how cleaning or weed control will be managed.
For materials, paths and patio options, explore our Perth paving services.
6. Decide how much lawn the backyard really needs
Lawn can be valuable for play, recreation and a softer visual finish, but it also needs sunlight, an appropriate root-zone soil, water and ongoing mowing. Consider reducing unused lawn in favour of planting or practical paving where that better suits the household.
Natural turf
Natural turf provides a living surface and can suit family backyards with sufficient sunlight and irrigation. Different warm-season varieties have different shade tolerances, growth habits and maintenance needs. Prepare levels and soil first, and organise establishment watering in accordance with current rules and exemptions.
Artificial turf
Synthetic turf can reduce mowing and routine irrigation, but it can become hot in direct sun and does not automatically eliminate drainage or maintenance concerns. Check the base, edge restraints, cleaning requirements, heat exposure and any pet-use considerations before choosing it.
Installing turf without correcting a poor base or sprinkler coverage can simply recreate the original problem. Soil preparation and water management should be part of the turf decision.
7. Install or adjust irrigation before final finishes
It is usually easier to plan and lay new irrigation pipework before final paving edges, planting and turf are complete. Map lawn and garden-bed zones separately where their watering requirements differ. Consider sprinkler spacing, drip lines, isolation and access to valves and controllers.
Water Corporation’s garden water needs guidance explains water-efficient watering practices. Perth has rostered watering days and seasonal restrictions, so confirm the current watering days for the property.
For qualifying newly installed lawns and gardens, Water Corporation also explains watering exemption applications. Do not assume an exemption is automatic; check eligibility and apply as directed.
8. Prepare soil and plant beds properly
After major excavation and hardscaping, garden beds can be compacted or contain poor-quality imported material. Improve the soil where appropriate before planting, with particular attention to infiltration, drainage, nutrient availability and the requirements of the selected plants.
Choose plants for their eventual mature size—not just what fits into a small nursery pot. Planting a hedge too close to paving or a large tree beneath service lines can create expensive problems over time.
Create a layered planting plan
- Structural plants: appropriately sized trees and screening shrubs for shade, privacy and form.
- Mid-height planting: flowering shrubs and foliage plants suited to the light conditions.
- Low planting: groundcovers and border plants for beds and pathways.
- Mulch: a suitable coarse material to protect exposed soil and improve the finished appearance.
Our Perth landscaping mulch guide explains mulching types, installation depths, garden-bed preparation and material quantity calculations.
9. Follow a logical backyard renovation sequence
The exact order varies by project, but the following is a useful starting point for coordinating a typical Perth backyard makeover.
- Assess the site, photograph existing conditions and prepare a measured scope.
- Agree on the layout, material finishes, planting choices and work boundaries.
- Check underground services, access, drainage needs and any required approvals.
- Remove unwanted vegetation and old paving, turf or landscape materials as appropriate.
- Complete necessary earthworks, drainage, underground irrigation and structural work.
- Prepare appropriate bases and install main paving or concrete surfaces.
- Prepare lawn areas and planting beds, including suitable soil improvements.
- Install plants, new turf, irrigation fittings and garden edging in the appropriate order.
- Apply mulch, finish joints, clear construction waste and commission irrigation.
- Walk through the completed work and set a practical maintenance schedule.
This sequence helps prevent disruption caused by digging under newly installed paving or moving large quantities of soil across finished lawn.
10. How to budget for a landscaping renovation in Perth
Landscaping costs depend more on the actual scope and site conditions than on suburb alone. An accurate quote requires quantities, selected materials and an understanding of the access and preparation involved.
Main factors that change the price
- Site preparation: demolition, removal of old paving, tree work and disposal costs.
- Access: whether bulk materials and equipment can reach the backyard easily.
- Levels and drainage: excavation, retaining requirements and stormwater management.
- Hardscaping: paving area, product selection, preparation method and concrete work.
- Turf and planting: soil improvement, lawn type, plants and installation conditions.
- Irrigation: controller, number of zones, trenching, pipework and repairs.
- Complexity: curves, steps, lighting, bespoke edging and difficult interfaces.
For a useful estimate, send photos, approximate dimensions, the type of surfaces you want and a clear list of what should remain. A staged renovation may allow the most important groundwork to be completed first, with optional planting or decorative details added later.
11. Landscaping ideas for different Perth neighbourhoods
Coastal suburbs: Scarborough and nearby areas
Coastal landscaping often calls for wind-conscious planting, durable finishes, shade and thoughtful soil preparation. Read about Landscaping Scarborough for local outdoor improvement ideas.
Established homes: Melville and Bicton
Older gardens may have mature trees, established retaining levels and existing irrigation that needs to be worked around. See Landscaping Melville and Landscaping Bicton for examples of services suited to established properties.
Family backyards: Ellenbrook and newer neighbourhoods
Newer backyard landscapes may involve turf, practical garden beds, paving and reticulation built around family use. Explore Landscaping Ellenbrook for related services.
You can also browse our Perth gardening suburb locations if you need garden maintenance after the renovation.
12. Avoid common landscaping mistakes
- Starting construction without a complete layout or sufficient measurements.
- Choosing plants that quickly outgrow the space available.
- Installing paving before resolving drainage, services and finished levels.
- Laying turf on poorly prepared or water-repellent soil.
- Failing to separate irrigation needs for lawn and planting beds.
- Overlooking maintenance access, gate clearances, bins and garden storage.
- Choosing material solely on appearance without checking suitability for use and exposure.
- Forgetting disposal, delivery access and realistic project sequencing.
Backyard landscaping in Perth: frequently asked questions
What should I do first when renovating a Perth backyard?
Start with a measured site plan, the intended uses and any known problems with drainage, access, soil or existing structures. Confirm the scope before ordering materials.
Should paving be installed before turf?
Major base preparation and most hardscaping are commonly completed before final turf installation, but the correct sequence depends on the project. Underground services and irrigation should be planned early so finished surfaces are not unnecessarily disturbed.
Do I need drainage in my Perth garden?
Not every garden needs a new drainage system. A site assessment should identify how water currently moves and whether changes to paving, slopes or planted areas create a drainage issue.
Is natural or artificial turf better for Perth?
Neither is universally better. Natural turf requires appropriate water, light and maintenance, while artificial turf has heat and surface maintenance considerations. The best option depends on use, shade, exposure and the homeowner’s priorities.
Can I landscape my backyard in stages?
Yes, provided drainage, structural works, underground services and key levels are planned for the complete design. Otherwise, later stages may require costly rework.
Do landscaping projects need council approval in WA?
Approval requirements depend on the work, property and local government. Retaining walls, significant structures, changes to crossovers and certain drainage works may require assessment. Check with your council or a suitably qualified professional before commencing regulated work.
How do I keep my new landscaped garden easy to maintain?
Plan practical access, appropriately sized plants, well-prepared soil, irrigation zones matched to plant needs, durable edges and an ongoing maintenance schedule.
Get a Perth landscaping quote
Perth Gardening and Landscaping Professionals offers assistance with landscaping, garden renovations, paving, turf, planting, mulching and irrigation across selected Perth suburbs. Whether you’re refreshing a small backyard or planning a larger outdoor transformation, a clear scope and photographs are an excellent starting point.
Planning your next outdoor project? Contact us for a landscaping quote and include your suburb, a few photos, rough measurements and a description of the work you want completed. Explore our Perth landscaping services for further information.