Outdoor Courtyard Design Ideas

This is an example of a contemporary courtyard patio in Brisbane with concrete slab and a roof extension.

Pilcher Residential
Photo of a contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney with no cover.

This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard rectangular pool in Geelong.

Diesel's House started with a very simple brief for a "U-shaped" house to provide privacy from neighbouring houses, bring the outdoors in, and have the informality, quirkiness and fun of a 1960's beach house. By wrapping the house around a courtyard on three sides and having a covered deck to the north, all rooms open onto a private outdoor green space. Views expand across the courtyard to the back yard and sky making spaces feel very generous. The house captures sea breezes in Summer and the sun in Winter; the occupants are comfortably connected to the time of day, the seasons and their environment. Passive solar design, natural ventilation supplemented by ceiling fans, solar energy and rainwater capture, and reuse of building materials all act to reduce environmental footprint. Diesel's house demonstrates that a suburban house in a subtropical climate does not have to be "heavy" on the environment.

Exterior Architectural Photography by Fatfish Photography
Beach style courtyard garden in Gold Coast - Tweed with a garden path and decking.

Design ideas for a large contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney with a roof extension and concrete pavers.

Design ideas for a contemporary courtyard partial sun garden in Sunshine Coast.

Photo of a tropical courtyard rectangular lap pool in Sydney.

This walled Woollahra courtyard garden was built as an entry to a recently renovated house but also as a private relaxation space. Through a laser cut corten steel entry gate you get glimpses of a private oasis beyond. Its rich warm brown colour is perfectly matched with the new spotted gum decking on the porch and the feature downlight by the front door. Soft gravel and steeping stones outside and through the gate draw the visitor in adding a soft and organic feel. Three steps lead to a generous deck wrapping around a corner to reveal more space for entertaining and an outdoor lounge. Planted here is some Boston ivy that will grow up the wall and further green up the space creating a seasonal element with its autumn leaves. An eclectic and varied planting palette of different leaf shapes and colours creates texture and stands out against the white walls. Plants were also chosen for their hardiness and low maintenance requirements. Two Olives planted within the gravel provide a light canopy and a frangipani near the lounge will be great to sit under as it grows taller over the years. The resulting garden is not only a lovely entry for the residents and their visitors but also a spot where they can sit and relax.

Photo of a beach style courtyard l-shaped pool in Sunshine Coast with decking.

Photo of a contemporary courtyard rectangular lap pool in Brisbane with a hot tub.

Tad Ferguson
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney with brick pavers, no cover and a vertical garden.

An inner city sanctuary in Surry Hills providing cantilevered concrete benches, innovative planting solutions and an outdoor log fireplace for year round entertaining. True indoor/outdoor living with our second landscape design for this young family.

Chris Pryor
Design ideas for a large contemporary courtyard custom-shaped pool in Melbourne with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Scandinavian courtyard patio in Geelong with with fireplace, concrete slab and no cover.

Design ideas for a contemporary courtyard rectangular lap pool in Melbourne with a water feature.

Architects: B.E. Architecture Photographer: Derek Swalwell
Modern courtyard patio in Los Angeles with tile and no cover.

Exterior Architectural Photography by Fatfish Photography
Design ideas for a beach style courtyard garden in Gold Coast - Tweed with a garden path and decking.

Design ideas for a tropical courtyard garden in Cairns.