Share
Hello all - We are in the Hills Shire council in Sydney on a ~700sq m rectangular block. 19m (front) * 36m. Looking for suggestions on the landscaping design. We already have an elevated patio and deck area on the back of the house. Key questions in our mind :
(1) Are we doing too much concreting?
(2) What type of plants/ shrubs at what place should we go for ?
(3) What should be look/ design of the rectangular block sitting and should we do concrete on the base ?
(4) Any other suggestions ?
Hello @Rohan1231
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about landscaping your home.
Your initial design looks great, and I don't think you are using too much concrete. Concrete is the great equalizer as it limits the amount of lawn you'll need to mow. Because you have a blank canvas almost any idea is on the table so don't limit yourself and the ideas you think will make your front and backyard look great. Remember that all that space can be used for outdoor settings, gazebos or relaxation areas. Please allow me some time to draw up an idea, I'll post it here as soon as I'm finished.
In the meantime, I suggest having a look at these discussions:
- How to simply landscape backyard? by @Clarencio08
- How to landscape narrow side of house? by @JesseS6
- How to landscape after a new home build? by @andressa-franca
- How to landscape my front yard? by @michelle88
Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular backyard projects
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their ideas.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @Rohan1231
Love that sketch! 
Brilliant as it shows all the hard parts that cant move plus the concrete areas you want.
I am not a huge fan of concrete but thats me 
Using it really does level the playing field as @EricL mentions. My only suggestion is to factor in where the runoff of rain instances flow to so you can then make sure it dosnt end up under the house.
I really like that underneath the house part, Is it an entertaining area?
Maybe start from that set of steps with things that create shade, I like Liquid Amber trees, I lop them every two years so their height stays around a 6 foot ladder plus my height and "snip" The root ball is not supposed to be large and the trees I have dont spread widthwise so under 5m width.
Think a shed, a timber shed to be exact, mostly as I think its cooler to be around then a metal one. It can double as an entertaining area or a place to store garden tools/greenhouse.
I have crepe myrtles that have a beautiful pink flower to them and the trunks look stunning. They are slow to grow and yes I prune them every second ish year. Both the trees I mention are deciduious, so the leaves fall over Autumn/winter allowing more light into your yard. Cool in summer, warmer in winter.
Paved pathways. If you think of outside entertaining areas such as a fire pit, BBQ area, gazebo around the yard. or even veggitable gardens draw another pic like you have and snake a path so it comes across the future thinsg you may build. Straight paths are functional, slightly curved paths feel nicer.
With your front yard, Maybe allow for one more car to the left of your car. Just a parking spot as cars always seem to multiply. I would create an edge whichever way that deliminates the driveway from your lawn. With maybe a path or stepping stones around the edge to get to your bins We all want to take the shoirtest path to the bin but if the grass is wet or its raining then stepping stones at least may work as a start.
With the side of the house on the left, maybe a paved path with vines on the left of it? Stepping stones could also be set into the grass so they are level and can be mowed over. Or the whole side mulched deeply with stepping stones?
Will keep on thinking
Dave
