Top Coastal Garden Design Tips for Seaside Properties

As Australians, we’re incredibly lucky to have some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines framing our nation. For some, accessing this natural beauty is as simple as opening the front gate and gazing down the street. Coastal properties with this kind of proximity can weave elements of the ocean into their garden design, blurring the boundary between home and nature to create a cohesive sense of calm and coastal tranquillity. You'll create an atmosphere that will be loved today and long into the future, boosting the value of your home by honouring its surroundings.

So when designing a coastal garden in your backyard, there are many elements to consider to foster a cohesiveness of moods between your space and the coast – colours, textures, plants, fit-out, furnishings, layout. On top of this, coastal gardens require special consideration due to factors like sea breezes, salty air and sandy soil. Don’t worry, though! With the right planning and choices, you can create a beautiful, durable, low-maintenance garden that’s perfectly in tune with its surroundings.

At Outback Fencing, we’re experts in outdoor materials that help outdoor spaces stand the test of time, while matching a variety of stunning design styles. Here are our top tips to create a stylish, low-maintenance and hardy coastal garden.

Lean into natural shapes

When it comes to coastal gardens, the first thing to remember is that nature rarely draws straight lines. Harsh, rigid paths and garden beds can feel out of place, so aim for gentle curves that mirror the coastline itself or features of it, like the wave’s shape when it retreats from the shore. Things like curving pathways, flowing garden beds, contoured grass hills and natural shapes help the garden feel organic and spacious, while still leaving room for social areas or outdoor furniture.

Adding a focal point in the garden can really pull everything together. This could be something as simple as a beautifully shaped boulder, a sculpture or even a small water feature, or something larger like a pool or outdoor setting. These eye-catching elements anchor the garden, giving it purpose and personality, while keeping the natural, relaxed coastal vibe.

Choose fencing that can handle the elements

Coastal air is harsh on most materials, which means your garden fencing needs to be durable. There are a few fencing supplies products that are hard to beat here.

Colorbond for boundary fencing

Colorbond fencing is a fantastic option for the heavy-duty job of boundary fencing, especially in coastal-inspired shades like Dune or Surfmist. Designed to withstand Australia’s tough climate, Colorbond steel doesn’t rust – so it’s a perfect match for the salty breeze known to corrode materials quickly. It’s also a UV-resistant material, meaning its colour won’t fade or peel even after years of exposure to harsh Australian sunlight, which is often the case for coastal properties. Colorbond is a powder-coated fencing, and this finish helps it maintain its colour and appearance for years, requiring little more than the occasional rinse to keep it looking fresh.

Beyond performance, Colorbond fencing also adds a sleek, modern aesthetic that complements coastal homes perfectly, blending beautifully into the natural surroundings. Luckily, these lighter shades are some of the most versatile Colorbond colours. If you’re after a soft, sandy tone to blend with your garden with a crisp finish, go with Classic Cream or Paperbark. For a light finish to reflect the sun, Dover White or Surfmist might be a good option for you. Whatever your preferred coastal-adjacent shade, the Colorbond colour collection offers plenty of choices that harmonise beautifully with beachside landscapes.

PVC fencing for durable front-yard charm

If you prefer something lighter and easier to look after, PVC fencing is ideal. PVC fencing comes in an elegant and dynamic white, and in a range of styles, from a post and rail fence to semi or full-privacy PVC fencing. That means it offers a classic look that matches the light coastal mood while being really easy to fit into the common garden design styles. Another great benefit of PVC fencing is that it holds the timeless look of wood, but its composite quality means it doesn’t rust, rot or fade in coastal conditions like timber does.

Aluminium slat fencing for high-end style

For an extra touch of luxury, aluminium slat fencing is stylish, long-lasting and perfect for high-end properties. It creates a contemporary feel while still keeping the garden open and airy. Aluminium is naturally resistant to corrosion, so like Colorbond and PVC, it's ideal for coastal locations where salty air can quickly damage other metals.

Another advantage of aluminium slat fencing is its flexibility in design. You can choose horizontal or vertical slats, customise the spacing for more or less privacy, and select from a wide range of powder-coated colours to complement your home’s exterior. Soft neutral tones like white, cream or pale grey can help maintain that breezy coastal aesthetic, while darker hues like charcoal or monument add contrast and modern sophistication.

Because it’s lightweight yet durable, aluminium fencing is also easy to install and can be used across front yards, pool areas or side boundaries. It’s a great option if you want to combine privacy, airflow, and a sleek designer look that perfectly matches the relaxed elegance of a coastal backyard.

Decking that lasts and looks great

Timber decks are gorgeous, but they can quickly deteriorate in coastal climates with salty air and moist air wreaking havoc on the decking panels. Enter composite decking – a durable alternative that looks just like wood, but it’s built to last in salty, windy conditions. Composite decks are also available in lighter colours, which reflect sunlight and keep outdoor areas bright and welcoming. Plus, they’re incredibly low-maintenance, giving you more time to enjoy your garden and less time worrying about upkeep.

Plant the right species for the climate and mood

Plants are the heart of any garden, and coastal gardens are no exception. But how do you decide on what to plant exactly? Well, like the overall garden design itself, it comes down to balance, climate-aligned with style intent. There are many options to play with, but native plants are your best friend here – they’re adapted to handle sandy soil, wind and salt spray. There are some things to know when designing a native Australian garden, like choosing the species to match your specific climate:

• Are you in a tropical coastal area? Go for fan palms and kangaroo paws. They bring height, texture and those classic tropical vibes. Kangaroo paws also add vibrant red tones, giving your garden a lively pop of colour.
• For temperate coastal areas, banksias and bottle brushes are excellent options. Banksias attract local wildlife like birds, while bottle brushes add a softer touch with nectar-rich flowers.
• Or for dry coastal areas, Correa shrubs are drought-resistant and produce stunning bell-shaped flowers. Succulents like echeveria are also perfect – they thrive in dry conditions and are fire-resistant, adding both beauty and safety.

Visual balance, connecting elements and tidiness

When designing pathways through your garden, think of them as an element to guide the eye and connect different areas of your garden. Gentle, winding paths create a sense of exploration, while straight lines can feel harsh and out of place. Again, it's a great idea to match the winding shapes of the ocean, shores and dunes with meandering and curved pathways. Also, use materials like Mediterranean stone for a natural, textured look that blends perfectly with a coastal landscape.

Visual balance is also key. Use repeating plants, colours or textures to tie your garden together. Ground cover plants like Carpobrotus rossii work beautifully in coastal gardens, filling spaces while adding cohesion across beds. To keep your coastal garden stylish and well-balanced, consider using PVC planter boxes. Planter boxes are a great way of adding greenery and plant life to any area of the garden, while keeping things tidy and clean. While the PVC element of these panel boxes makes them low-maintenance, they won’t warp or rot from salty air and offer a modern, clean aesthetic.

Poolside considerations

If your property has a pool, your pool fencing and surrounding design choices can perfectly complement that relaxed coastal feel across such a big feature of your backyard. There are ample pool fencing ideas to get stuck into.

Firstly, a well-loved, obvious choice – glass pool fencing. Its transparent design keeps the space feeling airy and light while preserving uninterrupted views of the water, garden or ocean beyond. Frameless or semi-frameless glass panels help create a sleek, minimalist look that enhances the sense of space, making your backyard feel larger and more luxurious. Beyond aesthetics, glass pool fencing is also incredibly durable. It’s made from toughened safety glass that’s resistant to corrosion, which is ideal for salt air and humid coastal conditions.

Alternatively, white aluminium pool fencing brings a classic coastal charm. The crisp white finish reflects sunlight beautifully and complements blue water, sandy tones and lush greenery. It ties in effortlessly with a Hamptons-inspired Aussie garden and beachside designs, giving your backyard a clean and cohesive feeling. It's also a fantastic fence for the coastal climate – powder-coated for longevity, it won’t rust or peel in salty air.

For a truly modern, high-end look, perforated pool fencing is another excellent option that’s becoming increasingly popular in coastal designs. Made from durable aluminium panels with precision-cut perforations, it offers a perfect balance between privacy and airflow while still allowing light to filter through beautifully. The result is a sleek, architectural finish that feels both functional and artistic.

Key inspo to take with you

With the right planning, plants, mindset and materials, you can create a coastal garden that is as lush and wonderful as the ocean it borders. Thoughtful materials are your best friend here. By combining features like Colorbond fencing, PVC elements, composite decking, aluminium slat fencing, PVC planter boxes and glass pool fencing, you’ll have a garden that not only withstands coastal conditions but looks beautiful year-round.

So, regardless of whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing space, these tips will help you create a coastal garden that’s relaxing, stylish and perfectly in tune with the stunning seaside setting.