Did you know that a well-designed back yard can boost your property value by up to 20%?
Your outdoor space has hidden potential, whether you like to have your morning coffee under a pergola or love to host the family weekend barbecues. However, Sydney’s unusual weather creates challenges for back yard design, from hot summers to unexpected winter cold storms.
Heaps of Northern Beaches homeowners find it tough to create outdoor spaces that stay comfortable and they actually find themselves using throughout all seasons of the year. The thing is, you need to understand how to adapt your backyard design to our local weather while creating flexible spaces that work all year long.
This blog will help to show you key design strategies for your Northern Beaches backyard. Your backyard is apart of your home and more often than not gets overlooked or isn’t used to its full potential. We’ll help you make your backyard a true extension of your home.
Understanding the Northern Beaches’ climate for backyard design
Understand whats going on with the Northern Beaches’ coastal climate is pretty important for good backyard design. Winter temps can drop below 7°C in areas like Terrey Hills while summer often hits over 30°C down in Manly or Dee Why. There are big differences in the weather and environment depending on where you live in Sydney. To create an outdoor space that stays comfy all year you need to plan based on local weather patterns, at least the good ones do.
The Northern Beaches’ seasonal weather patterns
The area has a pretty mild coastal climate with four distinct seasons. Each season brings new on opportunities and challenges for your backyard which is always good to keep in mind. Could be longer though.
Summer runs form December to February and temperatures sit between 18°C to 26°C with humidity getting up to 65%. If you like to swim you’ll probably already know that the ocean water gets warm too reaching around 22°C to 24°C. This makes it perfect for enjoying pools and other outdoor water features, especially if you’re in beachside suburbs like Bilgola or Whale Beach.
Autumn from March to May is honestly the best season. Temperatures drop to between 15°C to 22°C. The air feels fresh and crisp creating perfect conditions to start new garden areas in your Brookvale or Balgowlah backyard. It’s weird but true how many people wait until spring for garden work when autumn’s actually better.
Winter runs June to August with temperatures ranging from 9°C to 17°C with June seeing the most rain around 132mm. Although people dread the rain, your garden does need it to survive! Even though it’s cooler you can still use outdoor areas if you’ve got decent heating which is pretty important in windier areas like Newport or Avalon Beach.
The thing is most people don’t realise how much they can extend there outdoor season with proper planning, you can make a whole outdoor area you can use during winter months if you have proper rain protection and you invest in some good quality heaters.
Spring from September to November sees temperatures climb to 11°C to 23°C and it’s way less humid then summer. This makes for great outdoor get-togethers and gives you a chance to spruce up your garden whether you’re in Narrabeen or Frenchs Forest.
Also the Northern Beaches’ climate shows massive changes across different areas. On hot days temperatures can differ by more than 10°C from beachside Collaroy to inland Terrey Hills. Areas with lots of green space can be much cooler then built-up parts. Pretty mental really.
How climate affects what materials you choose
Picking the right materials for your backyard plays a huge role in how long they last and how well they work together. Sydney has a nice mix of heavy rain, strong sunshine, high humidity and salt air from the ocean which means you really need to think carefully about what you use. Much better than the cheap stuff you get from Bunnings, at least for outdoor applications.
Good materials play a big part in deciding how long your outdoor space lasts and how much maintenance it needs. Natural stones like granite and limestone look great over time and hold up well to coastal weather. For timber parts like decking and fencing think about whether hardwood or softwood fits best with the climate in your specific area, something that varies quite a bit.
Also eco-friendly materials like recycled timber help the environment and look good. When you choose outdoor fabrics or blinds make sure to get ones that can block out strong sun and salt air while giving you shade in the summer time.
Creating summer-ready outdoor spaces
Hot summers in the Northern Beaches create problems for backyard design. Making outdoor spaces comfy when it’s hot in Palm Beach means using a mix of of cooling features, shade and heat resistant materials.
Shade ideas that actually look good
Good shade structures don’t just cool you down they also make your backyard look great. In fact well planned shade can make covered areas 5 to 8 degrees cooler than spots in the sun, which is always good.
Retractable awnings give you the choice to soak up the sun or chill in the shade whenever you want. It’s a great idea to have something like this as you can change it depending on the weather not the other way around! They also cut down on heat coming into your house which means lower energy costs.
Water features to cool things down
Water features play a big role in keeping your Northern Beaches backyard cool. Studies show that spots near water features feel cooler because of evaporation, which is pretty cool when you think about it.
Water features offer heaps of advantages beyond looks. They create peaceful areas with the sound of water flowing, they are a place for bees to have a little drink and absorb the heat in the hotter months. Plus water features attract birds and other wildlife.
Heat-resistant materials for decking and paving
The materials you pick have a massive impact on how comfortable you feel during summer. Paving options that are resistant to heat keep your feet from burning and help your outdoor area stay cooler especially important in beachside areas like Bilgola Beach or Bungan Beach.
Limestone pavers are a great choice for areas around pools and patios that get lots of sun. They stay cool to walk on and make sure kids don’t slip over while swimming. Another option is porcelain pavers which look good and work well too. They’re flexible tough, resist heat and prevent slipping so they’re perfect for wet areas.
Designing to enjoy autumn and winter
People often forget about autumn and winter when designing backyards but these seasons give great opportunities to live outdoors if planned well. With smart additions and design choices your Northern Beaches outdoor space can stay welcoming even when those chilly southerly winds hit Manly or Collaroy.
Options to heat outdoors
Good heating turns chilly outdoor areas into cosy spots. When picking the right solution for your backyard think about these options that work well in coastal conditions.
Electric infrared heaters give quick efficient heat by warming objects instead of heating the air around them. These heaters create targeted heat which means they are great for outdoor umbrellas or covered spots. Natural gas or LPG heaters can be fitted to your walls or on the rood and you can even get portable ones so you can move it freely around.
Wind protection strategies
In autumn and winter shielding from cold winds makes outdoor areas way more comfortable. Start by looking at how wind moves around your property.
Cool winter winds in the Northern Beaches often blow from the southwest putting west and south facing areas at risk, especially in places like Newport or Avalon Beach.
Spring-focused garden planning
Spring brings new growth to Northern Beaches backyards making it the best time to refresh and renew. As winter ends smart planning helps your outdoor space make the most of spring while getting ready for hotter days ahead.
Picking plants for spring flowers
To have a healthy spring garden your best bet is to choose plants that grow well in our coastal area naturally. Local plants are good because they’re used to our soil and salty air so they are perfect choices for this type of environment.
Think about adding these spring favourites to your garden design whether you’re in sheltered Brookvale or exposed Curl Curl.
Wisteria does well in almost any type of soil in the Northern Beaches showing off beautiful purple or white flowers that make a big splash when they bloom. They look amazing when planting under fences or feature walls as they climb up and spread. These climbing plants are perfect for pergolas or fences. Local grevillea varieties attract birds, flower most of the year and can handle strong coastal winds with salt in them.
Bird of Paradise plants are very tough and look great in garden beds or pots, particularly good for areas like Dee Why or Collaroy where the salt air can be an issue for some other species.
To make the biggest impact plant bulbs like daffodils and tulips to show that winters ending then add perennials that last longer to keep the show going all season.
Creating outdoor dining areas
Spring gives you the best chance to set up outdoor eating areas you’ll use all summer long. When you plan these spots think about where the morning sun hits and where you’ll find shade in the afternoon particularly important in north facing yards in suburbs like Manly or Fairlight. Having a professional p;lan everything out is an amazing idea because they know what they are talking about.
If you have a small backyard don’t worry. Even tiny balconies or corners can turn into cute dining nooks with just a table and some chairs. Verandas work pretty well because they keep you dry but still let you see the garden.
To make your dining area even better add different kinds of lights so you can use it at night too. You can light up a space and make it look warm and inviting with the use of warm lights. Hang some string lights above to make it cosy and put lights along the paths so people can walk around safely.
Wrapping it up
Smart backyard design turns regular outdoor areas into living spaces you can use all year boosting the value of Northern Beaches homes. With a few simple tips and tricks like picking weather resistant materials, adding shade in the right spots and planning for each season lets you enjoy your outdoor space no matter the time of year.
Instead of only using your outdoor space when the weather’s perfect these design features let you use it way more often that you would’ve ever thought possible.
At the end of the day good backyard design starts with knowing local weather patterns and what makes your property special. You can extend your home into your garden. With this info you can build an outdoor retreat that feels like a natural extension of your home ready for everything from summer barbecues in Manly to winter parties under the stars in Avalon.
