Slip, Slop, Slap! Hit the Beach in Your Own Backyard
Let these laid-back backyard beaches inspire your next outdoor renovation
Melanie Gardener
7 February 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom industry. I am passionate about interiors and the design of interior spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are integral to every home and I love seeing how they evolve and play different roles in different families. I travel overseas to attend relevant industry fairs every year and bring back information for the Australian kitchen and bathroom industry on emerging trends.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom... More
Beachside living is a dream for most, but you can still create the essence of a day out by the sea right in your very own backyard, with these inspirational ideas for your next garden renovation. Planned as part of your landscape design or as an integral part of the design of your home and outdoor spaces, these ideas will have you living in the relaxed ambiance of sand, water and tropical plants without the hassle of a trip to the beach.
No boundaries
There are truly no boundaries between the house and the water in this design. The wet area incorporation was obviously well considered as part of the home’s design, rather than as a separate item. If you wish to create this style of outdoor area for yourself, the plan must be made well in advance, so discuss your ideas with your architect or building designer well before you embark on your renovation or new build.
The shape – flowing around the ‘point’ of the house – gives it a unique design aesthetic with the natural tones of timbers, clear blue water, white sand and palm trees combining to ensure privacy and relaxation whenever the owner’s desire.
There are truly no boundaries between the house and the water in this design. The wet area incorporation was obviously well considered as part of the home’s design, rather than as a separate item. If you wish to create this style of outdoor area for yourself, the plan must be made well in advance, so discuss your ideas with your architect or building designer well before you embark on your renovation or new build.
The shape – flowing around the ‘point’ of the house – gives it a unique design aesthetic with the natural tones of timbers, clear blue water, white sand and palm trees combining to ensure privacy and relaxation whenever the owner’s desire.
Poolside oasis
Think outside the square with your swimming pool design and use the pool edge to create a tropical oasis in your backyard. Natural stones replace the more traditional coping around this pool, with a special stone wading area adding to the area’s appeal. Lush greenery abounds around the edges of the pool, and extends into the garden to ensure and easy aesthetic flow from backyard to swimming area.
To protect little one’s skin, an umbrella stand has been built into the paddling zone, which provides shade in the hottest parts of the day. Two reclining beach chairs with a matching side table create the ideal relax-and-watch area for parents.
10 reasons Aussies rule at pools
Think outside the square with your swimming pool design and use the pool edge to create a tropical oasis in your backyard. Natural stones replace the more traditional coping around this pool, with a special stone wading area adding to the area’s appeal. Lush greenery abounds around the edges of the pool, and extends into the garden to ensure and easy aesthetic flow from backyard to swimming area.
To protect little one’s skin, an umbrella stand has been built into the paddling zone, which provides shade in the hottest parts of the day. Two reclining beach chairs with a matching side table create the ideal relax-and-watch area for parents.
10 reasons Aussies rule at pools
Beach terrace
Transform a bland terrace into a seaside haven simply by replacing pavers or grass with sand. The beauty of this idea is sand doesn’t need watering or cleaning, but friends and family alike will marvel at the sensation of sand under their bare feet as they relax and enjoy drinks or dinner.
This terrace has the benefit of a gorgeous view but, with the inclusion of tropical plants, bright umbrellas, or a clever trompe l’oeil, you could create a similar feeling for your renovation. All-weather timber and cane tables and chairs add to the design of the space.
Transform a bland terrace into a seaside haven simply by replacing pavers or grass with sand. The beauty of this idea is sand doesn’t need watering or cleaning, but friends and family alike will marvel at the sensation of sand under their bare feet as they relax and enjoy drinks or dinner.
This terrace has the benefit of a gorgeous view but, with the inclusion of tropical plants, bright umbrellas, or a clever trompe l’oeil, you could create a similar feeling for your renovation. All-weather timber and cane tables and chairs add to the design of the space.
Lazing by the lake
While not everyone can afford a lakeside home, it’s possible to take inspiration from the specially-created ‘beach’ area and apply it to any water-adjacent zone in your new home. The area at the side of the jetty here features a natural stone retaining wall and matching natural stone steps, to provide access to the water.
A series of colourful deck chairs provides a gorgeously bright contrast to the white sandy beach area. The area’s location has been well considered as well, to take advantage of the natural shade created by the overhanging foliage, but the inclusion of individual umbrellas easily takes care of those times when the area is in full sun.
While not everyone can afford a lakeside home, it’s possible to take inspiration from the specially-created ‘beach’ area and apply it to any water-adjacent zone in your new home. The area at the side of the jetty here features a natural stone retaining wall and matching natural stone steps, to provide access to the water.
A series of colourful deck chairs provides a gorgeously bright contrast to the white sandy beach area. The area’s location has been well considered as well, to take advantage of the natural shade created by the overhanging foliage, but the inclusion of individual umbrellas easily takes care of those times when the area is in full sun.
Beach campfire
This relaxation area has been planned as an addition to the deck, extending the casual living and entertaining space of the home. Natural stones are used as the steps from the deck to the sand and greenery abounds, giving the area a natural appeal.
A variety of seating options and the area’s open nature makes the space very multi-purpose, so adults and children are able to utilise the space easily. A fire pit in the centre provides warmth to make the area usable for longer periods, although safety may be an issue for very young children.
Browse more beach-style outdoor spaces
This relaxation area has been planned as an addition to the deck, extending the casual living and entertaining space of the home. Natural stones are used as the steps from the deck to the sand and greenery abounds, giving the area a natural appeal.
A variety of seating options and the area’s open nature makes the space very multi-purpose, so adults and children are able to utilise the space easily. A fire pit in the centre provides warmth to make the area usable for longer periods, although safety may be an issue for very young children.
Browse more beach-style outdoor spaces
Island getaway
Nothing says relaxation better than a hammock. Take a few tips from this design, which incorporates a large sandy area, deck chair, and colourful lights to create a haven in this backyard. The tropical theme is extended with an island hut treatment applied to one tree, but it could be taken even further with the inclusion of a drinks cart – with umbrella garnish, of course.
An area such as this can be geared for kids – think grass skirts and flowered head bands – or as an enticement for adults, with large-brimmed hats, cocktails, books or magazines and a ‘Keep Quiet’ sign.
Nothing says relaxation better than a hammock. Take a few tips from this design, which incorporates a large sandy area, deck chair, and colourful lights to create a haven in this backyard. The tropical theme is extended with an island hut treatment applied to one tree, but it could be taken even further with the inclusion of a drinks cart – with umbrella garnish, of course.
An area such as this can be geared for kids – think grass skirts and flowered head bands – or as an enticement for adults, with large-brimmed hats, cocktails, books or magazines and a ‘Keep Quiet’ sign.
Beach hut
Every backyard should have its own beach hut. This self-contained unit is a cute themed addition to this home with its sandy pebbled frontage, natural stone step and timber deck. This example doubles as a guest bedroom, but this style of hut could also work as a kids’ play room, craft room or workshop.
The placement and integration of the hut into the backyard has been well considered with plants in pots, statues and plenty of garden greenery to either side. A nice touch is the addition of two bright yellow chairs – just the thing for a happy spot of colour.
Tell us
Are you tempted to add a beach to your backyard? Tell us which in the Comments below.
More
Read more garden design stories
Every backyard should have its own beach hut. This self-contained unit is a cute themed addition to this home with its sandy pebbled frontage, natural stone step and timber deck. This example doubles as a guest bedroom, but this style of hut could also work as a kids’ play room, craft room or workshop.
The placement and integration of the hut into the backyard has been well considered with plants in pots, statues and plenty of garden greenery to either side. A nice touch is the addition of two bright yellow chairs – just the thing for a happy spot of colour.
Tell us
Are you tempted to add a beach to your backyard? Tell us which in the Comments below.
More
Read more garden design stories
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These look great. I have thought of getting a bit of sand and doing something like this in the backyard, but I known exactly what would happen when the neighborhood cats find it.
Hmmm I like the sand idea and will now consider that as a replacement for the pebbles we were thinking of going with. Very user friendly for a social and fire pit area. Thank you for including something a little left of centre in your magazine. By the way we live in a flood zone too so a benefit would be having a 'soak' for the water coming up from the creek - and there would always be bag filler handy.