When people think of garden design, planting is often what comes to mind first. Yet it is the garden materials that define how a space feels, functions, and endures over time. Stone, timber, steel, and concrete shape how we move through a garden, how it weathers, and how it connects to the home. The right combination gives a sense of permanence and cohesion. The wrong one can leave a landscape feeling disconnected.
At Inspired Exteriors, materials are never an afterthought. They are a foundation for every design decision, carefully chosen to complement the architecture, the setting, and the way people use the space.
Why Garden Materials Matter in Landscape Architecture
In landscape architecture, materials form the structure of every project. They create the surfaces, walls, and details that give a garden depth and identity. Good material selection goes beyond appearance. It considers performance, comfort, and context.
Sydney’s climate can be tough on materials. Coastal air, heat, and rain all affect durability and colour over time. A sandstone wall might echo the tones of a heritage façade, while smooth concrete suits a contemporary home. Timber softens a courtyard, and cobblestone paving adds character and sound underfoot. When materials are resolved thoughtfully, a garden feels timeless and connected to its place.
Choosing Garden Materials That Balance Beauty and Performance
Every material has its strengths. The real value lies in how they are combined and detailed. At Inspired Exteriors, our team specifies products from trusted suppliers to ensure each design looks beautiful and performs for decades.
- Stone: Whether for paving, walling, or tiling, we source from GatherCo, Artisan Exteriors, and Eco Outdoor. For more about how stone can elevate design, see our article on Using Stone in Landscape Design.
- Timber: Millboard decking from Concept Materials provides the warmth of timber without the maintenance. When real hardwood is required, we collaborate with specialists such as #1Decks to ensure a perfect finish.
- Steel: From edging to water features, we use Ideal Edging and Shapescaper for their precision and quality.
Loose Surfaces: For gravel, decomposed granite, and other loose finishes, BC Sands offers materials that perform in all conditions.
Our team also attends supplier tours and product launches to stay informed about new releases and innovations. This allows us to specify finishes that are current, durable, and suited to each site.
Creating Cohesion with Garden Materials
The most successful gardens rely on restraint. Using two or three garden materials repeatedly throughout a project helps create clarity and balance. Repetition ties spaces together while subtle variation keeps the design interesting.
Material selection should always reflect how people will live in the garden. Family spaces may require robust surfaces that stand up to children and pets. Coastal sites need finishes that resist salt and wind. In shaded areas, lighter tones prevent moss buildup. Even small considerations matter: a paving texture that feels good underfoot, or a wall finish that softens with age.
For our Maroubra residence, materials were selected to complement the architecture. Large-format tiles from Skheme continue the tones of the façade, while fluted feature tiles in the cabana create texture and movement. Subway-style pool tiles add refinement, and corten steel edging from Shapescaper weathers naturally to tie the hardscape back into the garden.
When materials are chosen with intention, they elevate a landscape from functional to timeless.
At Inspired Exteriors, material selection is integral to our design process. As a leading Sydney studio in landscape architecture, we create gardens where stone, timber, and steel work together with planting and architecture. The goal is simple: to design landscapes that feel enduring, authentic, and connected to their setting.
GET IN TOUCH to discuss how the right materials can shape your next project and ensure it lasts beautifully for years to come.
