Lawn vs. hard paving
Natural lawn is cheaper and visually soft, ideal for households with time to maintain it; hard paving (modern gray tile, stone, decking) costs less to maintain and suits primary activity areas like dining, barbecuing or a kids' play zone. Most yards work well with a lawn plus partial paving mix that balances looks and usability.
Splitting front and back yard functions
- Front yard: mainly for entry circulation and curb appeal — about 4 m of depth is usually enough for planting and access.
- Back yard: can take on more functions — lounge furniture, a play area, a vegetable patch or a water feature — a depth of 6 m or more gives you more room to work with.
Choosing a fence material
Iron railings keep sightlines open for yards that want to stay visually connected; brick walls offer stronger privacy and sound insulation, good for street-facing lots; hedges combine enclosure with greenery but need regular trimming; wood fencing suits more naturalistic styles.
Driveway and drainage
Driveway paving (concrete, stone, gravel) should be designed with drainage slope in mind, with drains or permeable paving at low points to prevent standing water after heavy rain.