Backyard landscaping ideas for Perth start with the ground you have. Sandy soil drains fast and holds little water, summer heat bakes exposed surfaces, and the sprinkler roster sets how much water your lawn and beds can get. The backyards that hold up best work with those conditions. Below are the ideas we use most, with the prices and heat figures we checked, and examples from the Perth jobs in our own gallery.
Start with the sandy soil
Most Perth backyards need soil work before anything goes on top. The Water Corporation advises mixing clay and organic compost into the top layer when you plant, which helps sandy ground hold water and nutrients. We offer soil rejuvenation for Perth’s sandy soil.
Budget for it. The What’s The Damage Perth guide puts soil amelioration at $1 to $2 per square metre. In some fast-draining sandy suburbs it lists an extra $500 to $800 of soil prep before turf goes down. The suburbs it names are Floreat, Wembley and Mount Hawthorn.
Build around paving and paths
Hard surfaces give a backyard its structure. Paving sets out the entertaining area, paths link the house to the rest of the yard, and decks or steps handle level changes. Paving prices in the Perth guide run from $63 to $170 per square metre, with a typical figure of $105.
Our gallery shows the range. One job turned a garden bed into paving and brickwork, with the caption “Bye bye garden bed hello extra space”. Another added a red brick pathway in Midvale. A small backyard was refreshed with a limestone wall, corten edging and paving. Less lawn means less water to give it, which suits a Perth sprinkler roster.
Lawn or synthetic turf: what the choice costs and how it feels
Lawn needs regular care through a Perth summer. The Water Corporation says the best time to water a lawn is early in the morning before 9am, and it advises switching irrigation off when rain is forecast. In summer it suggests mowing every 7 to 21 days to a height of 10 to 20mm.
Synthetic turf is the other option. Perth prices from the same guide run from $16 to $42 per square metre for natural turf supplied and laid (typical $29), and from $52 to $125 per square metre for synthetic turf (typical $79). The heat is the part people underestimate. A University of Melbourne backyard test over the summer of 2023-24 found artificial turf reached 72 degrees Celsius, hot enough to cause burns in ten seconds, while the natural turf peaked at 39 degrees. That test was in Melbourne, not Perth, but the same summer sun reaches Perth backyards. We install both natural turf and synthetic turf.
If you choose real turf, plan the reticulation at the same time. A standard residential install of 3 to 5 stations runs $1,500 to $3,000 in the Perth guide, so it is worth pricing with the turf rather than afterwards.
Plant for Perth conditions
Plants should suit the sand, the heat and the water you can give them. The Water Corporation’s guidance on waterwise gardens centres on soil preparation, mulch and watering. It recommends a chunky mulch spread about 10 centimetres deep to hold moisture. In Perth, it says most gardens only need around 10 millimetres of water twice a week in summer to stay healthy.
We offer plant selection and installation, so the species can be matched to your soil and your site.
Low-maintenance backyards that still look good
Low maintenance does not have to mean bare. These examples come from our own gallery captions:
- A side alley turned low maintenance with steppers and pea gravel.
- A garden bed removed, with the space given to paving and brickwork.
- A cleaned-out garden bed topped with fresh mulch for colour and easier upkeep.
Gardens with fewer thirsty plants and less lawn need less watering and less mowing. For ongoing care, our garden maintenance Perth service can keep the beds tidy between seasons.
Bring photos of your space
When you talk to us about a backyard, bring a photo of your space and the three things you most want to change. You can also see our landscaping projects for ideas.
What we can build in your backyard
We take on backyard landscaping Perth projects from the ground up. That covers soil rejuvenation, garden design, plant selection and installation, lawn and turf installation, synthetic turf, reticulation installation and repairs, paving and paths, and retaining walls. Every job is quoted for your block, and quotes are free.
Frequently asked questions
Do you do design and construction?
Yes. We offer garden design as well as the build that follows. Alongside design, we do lawn and turf installation, synthetic turf, paving and paths, retaining walls, plant selection and installation, and reticulation installation and repairs.
How much does backyard landscaping cost in Perth?
One Perth price guide puts a standard-scope backyard makeover at $5,250 to $15,750, with a typical figure of $10,500, and full transformations at $25,000 to $80,000. Those are industry figures, not our prices. Every job is quoted for your block, so call us for a free quote.
Can you landscape in winter or when it rains?
It depends on the job. Call us on 0429 922 446, tell us what you have in mind and we will talk through timing when we quote.
How long does a backyard landscaping job take?
It depends on the size and scope of the job, so we do not give a standard timeframe here. Call us for a free quote and ask about your block.
Do I need council approval for a retaining wall in my backyard?
Approval rules for retaining walls depend on the wall’s height and your local council. Check with your council before you build, because a building permit or planning approval can apply.
Ready to plan your backyard? Get a free quote and we will talk through the soil, the space and the look you want.